Exhaust donuts

[Nodak]

I have an exhaust leak which I am sure is the donuts. How bad am I hurting the engine running it like that? It is very noticeable. And also is it worth the money to do the fix garage fix

 

[RobX-1]

It's not so much you will hurt the engine as you run the risk of damaging the flanges on the exhaust headers. Not sure if your RS has the titatium headers or the stainless steel ones but when those donuts begin to deteriorate/degenerate, that is when damage to the flanges can occur.

As for the FXGarage fix, I always thought of that kit as what one could use to repair their broken flanges but I suspect some may have viewed it as an alternative to the existing setup using the flex joints and donuts.

 

[thrasher]

Your RS is the triple with the stainless steel headers. Not causing any damage in the short term by leaving things, it's just quite loud. If you do decide to fix things, I would replace all three with copper donuts, and use copper sealant on the donuts as well. I would also grind the nubbs down on those exhaust clamps so you tighten them down much better. Just follow Grizztracks donut replacement procedure. You'll probably get about 6000 miles before having to do this procedure again.

 

[74Nitro]

It's either the donuts, flex flange or the header is broken.
These are just high quality steel, not stainless, so any decent welder can fix.

 

[Nodak]

Sounds good guys thanks. Where is the best place to source the dounuts

 

[Nodak]

It's either the donuts, flex flange or the header is broken.
These are just high quality steel, not stainless, so any decent welder can fix.

So what if the flex pipe its self is cracked? How can you weld that but still have it be flexable

 

[RobX-1]

If the flex pipe is crack, I would just souce a good used one and be done with it.

 

[74Nitro]

So what if the flex pipe its self is cracked? How can you weld that but still have it be flexable

You're better off finding new or used. I have welded them before, but it isn't easy.

 

[Fast Lane]

You won't know until you take a peak. I thought I had something more serious going on but it turned out to be two donuts blown to pieces. I bought new Yamaha donuts and moved on with life.

 

[Mooseman]

As for the FXGarage fix, I always thought of that kit as what one could use to repair their broken flanges but I suspect some may have viewed it as an alternative to the existing setup using the flex joints and donuts.

I've used the FXGarage kit on a Venture Lite and it was a PITA to install. Unless your flanges are broken and replacements are more expensive, I'd stay with the regular flanges and use copper donuts.