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Is this an Exhaust Leak?

avrojockey

Well Known Member
Patron
O-320-A1A EXHAUST PICTURE

Referencing linked picture above...What say ye concerning the rust color on the head near the exhaust flange and around the plug well?

It looks to me like a exhaust leak but isn't the typical white color. The other thing I notice is the flange studs...doesn't look like those nuts have come off in awhile which means the exhaust hasn't been removed for inspection.
 
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Easy enough to test. Pull the plug and do a compression check.
If it is a leak/crack it will show itself instantly.
 
Typical signs of exhaust leak are a matte, dark black staining/coating. Rust is something different.
 
Easy enough to test. Pull the plug and do a compression check.
If it is a leak/crack it will show itself instantly.


Not necessarily true. If the crack is between the exhaust valve and the exhaust manifold, a compression check will not reveal a crack/leak in that area. We found that this past week on our #2 cylinder on our Warrior. It compression tested at 76lbs, but a cracked cylinder in the exhaust port was found.
 
Typical signs of exhaust leak are a matte, dark black staining/coating. Rust is something different.
Every exhaust leak I've seen showed as a white or light tan coating. If it's black you are too rich at idle.
 
The source of those rust-colored deposits has to be steel, so that pretty much narrows down the source. If it were my plane, I would suspect that exhaust gasket first. Good luck breaking that exhaust nut free :eek:
 
Every exhaust leak I've seen showed as a white or light tan coating. If it's black you are too rich at idle.

Good point. I have only had exhaust leaks on my high performance engines and they run much richer than most.

Larry
 
Not necessarily true. If the crack is between the exhaust valve and the exhaust manifold, a compression check will not reveal a crack/leak in that area. We found that this past week on our #2 cylinder on our Warrior. It compression tested at 76lbs, but a cracked cylinder in the exhaust port was found.


I agree, I was pulling high 60's on my O-360 so technically a pass. But it still didn't feel right when running. So, I sprayed soapy water around the head and sure enough I had bubbles. Pulled the jug and found a crack between the bottom plug and exhaust valve.
 
Exhaust Leak

I?ve seen this strange orange color many times before. You have an exhaust leak at a minimum but looking around the sparkplug I suspect you may have a cracked head as well.😕
 
I?ve seen this strange orange color many times before. You have an exhaust leak at a minimum but looking around the sparkplug I suspect you may have a cracked head as well.😕

Well...it doesn't give me a good feeling so the airplane has come off purchase list. Too many other great airplanes to even consider.
 
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