Water leak between exhaust manifold and head pipe

[kilgorekb]

So I took a ride with the hatch open to check for leaks. Water is squirting out between the exhaust manifold and head pipe. Does this reveal any problems, or do I just replace the gasket and call it fixed? It only does it at WOT.

 

[Thetolleyman]

Not sure what ski you have but.....the 951 is famous for that problem. Seadoo has a rubber water jacket kit to wrap the manifold flange to help keep the leaking water out of the carbs. As a rule, you can just use the OE gasket and perhaps coat both sides with permatex or other quality gasket maker. Make sure you torque the bolts just as per the manual. Use blue loctite on all threads. They have a habit of backing out over time.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I vote for a new gasket and proper assembly as per the book, new hardware as well, done to the letter.

Order a couple of extra gaskets and keep on hand to make sure the problem never happens again according to Murphy's law Chapter 2 sub-section 7 item a.

 

[68ragtop]

My 02 DI project has the o-ring style rubber gasket, however the service manual only show the standard gasket. Could this have been changed at some point? What sealing system is better, The traditional gasket or the rubber o-ring style?

Thanks, 68RT

 

[racerxxx]

The O-ring is the later style, be sure to use the diaper(#71) around that joint. What also funny is if you look at the microfiche on the cylinder, exhaust manifold explosion drawing they show the o-ring, but on the engine support and muffler explosion drawing they show the gasket.

 

[68ragtop]

Exactly the pictures I was looking at! Thanks for posting those.

The service manual also shows a gasket, but yet the oem gasket kit only came with the rubber insert style.
Any revised install procedures with these given their history? Or just install per the manual? Yes, the rubber diaper was present.

EDIT: just glanced at the service manual. It shows no loctite, sealant or anything else, just a two stage torque sequence of the bolts. Still the best method with these?