Sealing Akrapovic headers into spool pieces

[johnnyrod]

This is on my SV but the issue is the exhaust which is an Akrapovic full system. I've had it on there for years though almost never disturbed the headers. Recently I changed the cylinder heads, so had to remove and refit the zorst, and now I have a front pot exhaust leak that I'm struggling to fix.

The pipe is held on by springs. In each exhaust port is a spool piece which the exhaust flange clamps against the exhaust gasket. The pipe ends are tapered and fit into the tapered inner of the spool. I thought it should be easy to put these together and get a seal, but you can hear it phutting, moreso when cold. So, top tips for getting this sorted?

Mucho gracis as ever

[Red Herring]

When you took them off and replaced them did you take the time to clean each taper? There is usually a small carbon build up and when you disturb them they very rarely go back together in exactly the same way, so the tapers may not be quite meeting properly.

[jambo]

Did you replace the gaskets?

Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard

[johnnyrod]

Jambo - yes but it's leaking from the tapers not the gaskets
RH - um... no....

[jambo]

Jambo - yes but it's leaking from the tapers not the gaskets
RH - um... no....

Ah, clearly I've misunderstood. As much as it pains me to suggest cleaning anything, I suppose in this case it's worth a shot. ;)

Failing that a little smear of exhaust assembly paste around the sections that fit together may be what's needed.

Jambo

[johnnyrod]

So I finally made the titanic effort to get my thumb out of my backside and sort this. Just took the pipe to bits and refitted it. Not many bits - I got the can off, and the front header, but the collector and both rear header bits are forever joined I think. Not so easy as at least with the collector separate it means it the ends of both headers are parallel so easy to fit all the bits properly. Anyway I used a bit of WD40 and a rag to clean off the header ends and inside of the spool pieces, carefully reassembled and that was all it took. Basically the same as when I first fitted it, whacked it on without a second thought and it was fine. Thanks chaps for your comments, I'm wrapping this one up for the benefit of anyone else with the same problem!