Bad exhaust donunts with absolutely NO symptoms

[mr.pitstop]

I went back and forth deciding if I should change my donuts now or leave well enough alone. I had no symptoms of a problem at all, the machine ran perfect, no ticking, no backfiring, everything was fine. But I had 3000 miles on an 06 apex. I decided since I allready picked up all 4 gaskets last spring so I would have them (knowing they tend to fail in these sleds). I decided to change them now... I was very surprised to find the old gaskets were SHOT. All 4 were leaking exhaust and one or two of them were completely cracked in half.

My Y pipes look fine, I took the flex pipes all off so I could inspect the Y pipes good and everything looks good. Now I've got to go on a road trip tomorrow and see if I can get some bolts for the exhaust clamps and get it back together..

I've decided I'll change these donuts every year now just like its an oil change.. do it in the off season so I can take my time and look everything over good and not worry about it during the season. Maybe this wil prevent my delicate Y pipes from breaking apart.. we'll see..

 

[Blue Oval]

Go with the stainless pipes, I believe they may supercede the titanium y's upon ordering?

 

[mr.pitstop]

Go with the stainless pipes, I believe they may supercede the titanium y's upon ordering?

Thats what I'll do when my Y's start to come apart. For now they are in great shape so I'm just replacing the donuts. I want to see if replacing the donuts regularly is the ticket to keeping the titanium Y's from falling apart. Its been my theory that the Ys usually don't crack until the sled starts backfiring and leaking alot of hot exhaust. We'll see what happens this year. I'm planning on putting 3500 miles+ on the sled if all goes well..

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I'd like to hear more about the copper donuts that some folks are talking about. It would be nice if those were a durable long term fix.

 

[mr.pitstop]

I'd like to hear more about the copper donuts that some folks are talking about. It would be nice if those were a durable long term fix.

From what I understand you can't get em anymore. Im surprised someone hasn't come up with a fix for the donuts in these sleds.

 

[Sasquatch]

Any machine shop can make the copper donuts I would think. Take them a donut and have them make four in copper.

 

[mr.pitstop]

Any machine shop can make the copper donuts I would think. Take them a donut and have them make four in copper.

Not sure how it would work in copper until some people try them for a while. I'd be afraid the copper would prematurely damage the Y pipes. Im surprised no one has done some type of donut that outlasts the stockers but not ruin the Y pipes..

 

[rightarm]

I believe that the R1 exhaust donuts would work and they are made of Copper don't qoute me just a thought.

 

[Sasquatch]

Any machine shop can make the copper donuts I would think. Take them a donut and have them make four in copper.

Not sure how it would work in copper until some people try them for a while. I'd be afraid the copper would prematurely damage the Y pipes. Im surprised no one has done some type of donut that outlasts the stockers but not ruin the Y pipes..

I've had thoughts along the same line. Copper is softer then the stainless pipes and should wear before the stainless. Easy to say but in practice! Who knows!

 

[breakinbarrs]

I dont believe the R1 would experience the same torsional twisting on the exhaust system that a sled receives. I accept that Yamaha designed the donuts to wear before the the hardware for a reason.