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Air leaking IN or exhaust leaking OUT ?

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Old Nov 25, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #1  
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Default Air leaking IN or exhaust leaking OUT ?

If there's a small leak at the exhaust port/header pipe junction, does exhaust gas leak out at the port OR does outside fresh air get vacuumed IN to the header pipe. HINT: Seems exhaust pressure would push exhaust gas OUT the small leak, BUT in order to create popping on deleration due to such a leak, seems that extra oxygen must be added to the mixture. MY guess: outside air is being vacuumed into the small leak. Anyone know for sure? Does exhaust escape during accleration and then fresh air comes in during decleration? Is there a test to determine if there's a exhaust port leak?
 
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 12:33 PM
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With the motor running, hold something smoking close to where you think the leak is. Some items that are good for creating thicker smoke are cigars and incense. You'll see where the smoke is blown away from the leak. If it's the exhaust you will need to tighten the nuts on the studs- check them all.
Popping can occur if there is a leak where the mufflers are clamped to the header pipe.
You may also have an intake leak, and to check that you can carefully spray some carb cleaner at the intake manifold with it running. (you can also use a propane torch). If there is a change in the idle speed, you have a leak. Be careful not to spray into the a/c, that will give you a false result.
Your popping can also be caused by the tuning of the bike, with or without any leaks.
 

Last edited by nevil; Nov 25, 2009 at 12:37 PM. Reason: omission
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 12:49 PM
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When you flip the switch, do you turn on the light or turn off the dark?
 
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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Actually it is both, there is a momentary pause between exhaust pulses when oxygen will be drawn in, on newer bikes with a o2 sensor this can fool the ECM depending on how serious the leak is. I usually will run my hand near where I think the leak is ,You will feel the exhaust pulses, just be VERY CAREFUL not to touch any thing. Having someone help and put rages over the ends of the mufflers will help force exhaust out of a leak making it easier to find.
 

Last edited by TFTCAR; Nov 25, 2009 at 03:13 PM.
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 03:20 PM
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Am I dumb for clicking on these inane threads? Or am I smart to learn all these wonderful bits of info?

My wife voted that I was dumb.
 
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by lh4x4
Am I dumb for clicking on these inane threads? Or am I smart to learn all these wonderful bits of info?

My wife voted that I was dumb.
Same here if you find out tell me LOL
 
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle Scrooge
When you flip the switch, do you turn on the light or turn off the dark?

Jus' remember, it is always based on 'energy'.
Darkness is nothing more, than a lack of "light".
Likewise, cold, is a lack of "heat" energy.

THIS is what confuses the chit outta peeps, when you try to 'edumacate' them, on geothermal heating and cooling systems.
"Well, how can that 53* H2O, 'heat' the air in the house???"

OOPS, OP, you can get BOTH, as posted.
Likewise, the 'popping', can be traced to more than one, prob.
 
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GymChamp
If there's a small leak at the exhaust port/header pipe junction, does exhaust gas leak out at the port OR does outside fresh air get vacuumed IN to the header pipe. HINT: Seems exhaust pressure would push exhaust gas OUT the small leak, BUT in order to create popping on deleration due to such a leak, seems that extra oxygen must be added to the mixture. MY guess: outside air is being vacuumed into the small leak. Anyone know for sure? Does exhaust escape during accleration and then fresh air comes in during decleration? Is there a test to determine if there's a exhaust port leak?
A leak usually shows some residue in the area.

With that aside, decel popping can be cured by removing fuel in the zero throttle position in the lower rpm ranges. (sometimes adding fuel will also cure the problem). It's not that often that sealing a leak solves decel pop.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2009 | 06:50 PM
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You can burn a valve that way. Sucking in cold air on a white hot valve is a no no. Except for your mechanic, he'll love it.
 
Old Nov 26, 2009 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TFTCAR
Actually it is both, there is a momentary pause between exhaust pulses when oxygen will be drawn in, on newer bikes with a o2 sensor this can fool the ECM depending on how serious the leak is. I usually will run my hand near where I think the leak is ,You will feel the exhaust pulses, just be VERY CAREFUL not to touch any thing. Having someone help and put rages over the ends of the mufflers will help force exhaust out of a leak making it easier to find.
It is both; there is an overlap period when both the exhaust and intake valves are open. The overlap is there to help the intake charge enter the combustion chamber, which also helps scavenge the spent gases from the combustion chambers. When that happens it is possible for the scavenging effect of the exhaust gases to suck air in through the leak.
 



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