Put a new complete exhaust on my 89 F1, was retarded and didn't realize there were copper gaskets stuck to the engine that should've been replaced. After a few hours of riding it's leaking a bit, making the ticking/spitting type noise and the idle is erratic. How bad of an idea would it be to just leave it as is for what little remains of riding season here (maybe another month left)? I'm planning to completely strip the bike to paint and mod it over the winter so the new gaskets would be coming off again next month.

 

I know deep down in your heart you already know the answer to that one......

 

Well, my heart says "exhaust gaskets are for pussies!" so that's why I asked for an informed mechanical opinion

 

It all depends on just how bad its leaking. If they are only leaking a very slight amount, you'll be ok.

But if the leak is loud and its making your idle is erratic, its far too bad of a leak to ignore. You could loosen the bolts up, move the exhaust a bit and try to re seat the header again to see if it seals better. But with a different header, it probably won't match up no matter what you do.

But letting it go could potentially have a very bad outcome. Which ever one leaking, or if they are all leaking, you have different backpressure those cylinders. You will never have a proper mix, ( which is why the erraitc idle), and you could potentially run too lean and burn a piston, or do damage you might not even see. the combustion chamber will be too hot and can lead to other problems later on.
This condition is the worst possible outcome, and you might not have any problems at all. But just know the chance is there.

Personally, I would replace the gaskets. then when you remove the header next time, the new header will match the gaskets that are there and more than likley, will be reusable as long as your careful removing the header. Also, depending on how far your going to strip the bike, you might not have to remove the header again.

 

I'll be stripping it right down this winter, the exhaust will be sandblasted and refinished. I've got some Seafoam in the gas right now, I think I'll run it through and when this tank's empty I'll retire the bike for the season a bit early. I've got a ZZR 250 I can ride instead. Not exciting, but it'll have to do.

 

how bad of an exhaust leak does it take to be harmful to the motor and loss of power?

after i cut 4 inches off mine the 2 caps have never held complete pressure. i have tried riveting and exhaust sealing cement and i can still feel a small amount of air leaking out when i put my hand over it. same with the connection in the mid pipe.

at this point i dont care how my exhaust looks its pretty trashed from all the crap i have tried to fix it. what can i do that will be a for sure exhaust leak fix?

 

Exhaust leaking at the muffler and leaking at the header are completely different. Your exhaust leak is way down past the header, which scavenges and creates backpressure on its own. the muffler adds more scavenging and backpressure, but a loss of backpressure that far away from the engine is not as bad as it is right at the engine. If its really bad, it may run leaner, but chances of a leaking muffler damaging the engine are pretty slim. But you could see a loss of hp due to the mufflers now shorteded tube. the muffler is no longer tuned with the rest of the system to scavenge exhaust correctly, and the leaks will create turbulance within the system and the gasses won't be pulled out the end of the pipe like they should.

If you don't care what it looks like, you can buy header wrap. As long as you wrap it tight enough, it will seal small leaks. However, if its a big leak, it may not work and the wrap may get burned away. Also, Jb weld works good for awhile. But it will eventually burn away. But jb weld and then header wrap, may do the trick. but it will look nasty. If you do get header wrap, make sure you buy the reallly high temp stuff.

like this stuff....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DEI-0...Q5fAccessories