vacuum leak around carbs

hello all, i have a problem. i took the carbs off to put a new cam chain tensioner, which was not a problem at all. but then when i put the carbs back on and started it. it ran fine ( WITH NO CAM CHAIN NOISE YAY!! ) but with the exception of the vacuum leak around the base of carbs 2 and 4. i did the starter fluid test to find out which one were the problem. well i took the carbs off again and put some silicon gasket maker on the carb bases ( all of the carbs not just 2 and 4 ). now i am waiting over night for it to dry and then i am goin to see if it fixed the problem. let me know if this is what you would have done. p.s. the bike rain great before, besides the cam chain noise.

That is how you deal with air leaks...if that doesn't do it, spring for all new carb holders.

"silicon gasket maker "... Downfall will be if you ever have to remove those carbs again, guess what....

That's why I use vacuum grease....

I'm with Mickey-D.. time for some new manifolds....

Gasoline dissolves silicone so if you get a flooding event, it will eat the stuff up.

That said, I used it too. I take the namifolds off and put a tiny bead around on the face that mates to the head and then use a flat straight edge (popsicle stick) to scrape most of it off evenly and leave just a thin film. Then let it dry fully and install.

Silicone will dissolve over time. Do it the right way and buy the new flanges.

thanks, i did drive the bike today and it works GREAT. i will order some new manifolds too.

Permatex moto-seal or #2 sealer are both gasoline impervious, and seal very well with just a thin film applied to both halves.

I just put a dab on my finger, then rub it around the surface and tack it up before installing.

Never had an airleak again on several bikes going on a couple years now.

GL.