Leaky exhaust manifold???

[redrx1rkt]

I have about 3200 miles on my 2006 Apex RTX. Halfway through this year's riding season, I noticed it was quite a bit louder upon start up. The best way I can describe this sound is what it would sound like if you stuck a firm object into a fan and let the blades hit the object. Once the engine warms up, the sound goes away.

I believe it is the exhaust manifold leaking around the gasket. Once the engine warms up and expands, the tiny leak is sealed either by the gasket itself or the expanded metal around the hot exhaust outlet.

I am no mechanic, just play one on forums. What do you think of this problem & my half-assed diagnosis? Any work that needs to be done will be done at my dealer.

By the way, I have logged 15,000 miles on three Yamaha sleds and this is my first mechanical issue except the speedo. bearing on my 2004 RX-1, which was fixed under YES @ 6000 miles.

 

[1xr]

Mine makes a sound kind of like you describe, and it does go away after it warms up. I sure hope it is not a cracked header pipe.

 

[redrx1rkt]

Did yours get worse as the season progressed? I think mine is louder now than it was a month ago. Sound still goes away, though, after it warms up. I rode last Sunday with my shield open and noticed that the sound was actually still present when warm, just barely perceptible. It cannot be heard with my helmet sealed up.

 

[1xr]

Did yours get worse as the season progressed? I think mine is louder now than it was a month ago. Sound still goes away, though, after it warms up. I rode last Sunday with my shield open and noticed that the sound was actually still present when warm, just barely perceptible. It cannot be heard with my helmet sealed up.

No it is the same, but I just noticed it for the first time last weekend.

 

[bapk]

Guys check your exhaust donuts, I have 06' Attak and replaced mine at 3000 miles, one of them was totally shot, and the others were getting bad. A friend of mine told me to check them after his sled actually ruined his exhaust pipe. In the owners manual says to inspect and replace if needed at 2500 miles.

 

[RX1-er-2005]

TTT

 

[redrx1rkt]

TTT???

What the hell is an exhaust donut??

 

[plowking]

A donut gasket is a sealant ring that fits between the flange on manifold and the flange or flared end of exhaust pipe. It is made out of a fire retardent material, but from vibration , movement or clamp holding pipe connection to manifold can loosen causing flange to leak or blow out. Automobiles, Pickups, etc. have a similiar setup. On two stroke sleds, the rule of thumb is to put copper form a gasket or copper silicone on donut gasket to help it seal better. plowking

 

[xcsp]

How-To article?

Guys check your exhaust donuts, I have 06' Attak and replaced mine at 3000 miles, one of them was totally shot, and the others were getting bad. A friend of mine told me to check them after his sled actually ruined his exhaust pipe. In the owners manual says to inspect and replace if needed at 2500 miles.

Anyone have a "How To" write up on checking the exhaust donuts?

Does this require removal of the fuel tank?

 

[nate007]

I have seen a few cracked header pipes while in Mercer this year, adn everybody said they will backfire while decelerating if they are cracked. If you remove the seat and tank, they are pretty easy to get to.
Nate

 

[SRSchang]

My 2006 Attak is sitting at the dealer right now. The last couple rides a couple weeks ago I heard a single "Pop" each time I came to a stop. It sounded like a backfire, but under the sled. I dropped it off at the dealer, they said an exhaust clamp had come loose, and the two pipes had beat themselves to death. $420 in parts, 2 hours labor. Even thought the warranty had run out in November & the sled has 5400 miles, Yamaha agreed to pay for the parts - I have to pay the labor. Still waiting on parts, they are on backorder.

I like my Yamaha, but I've had lots less problems with my SkiDoo.

 

[redrx1rkt]

I like my Yamaha, but I've had lots less problems with my SkiDoo

Now there's something you don't hear too often...