Exhaust Plate Gasket Leak

[lmoore]

2008 200HP Optimax
Serial 1B544800

While fixing/testing my pinched water pressure tubing (previous post), I discovered a slow leak from my upper exhaust plate gasket. 2 small pinholes with little drips coming out of them. Based on corrosion, it has been happening for a while, so maybe a good thing I accidentally pinched that tubing and stumbled onto it.

Anyways, the dealer can't get to it until next week and I had plans to go fishing with a buddy this weekend. My question(s) for the experts, is this a critical failure waiting to happen if I run it? For example, does the outside of this gasket deteriorating potentially indicate the rest of the gasket is on the way out and could allow water into a cylinder somehow? If I keep an eye on pressure and temp (smartcraft), and/or add some gasket sealer to the pinholes, can I run it without much risk of further damage?

Obviously, the best thing to do would be to wait, just wondering the risk I would be taking if I used it or any way to temporarily fix the issue.

[Savage]

No way to tell the condition of the gasket on the inside........Is one fishing trip worth damaging an other wise good the motor???

[lmoore]

Kind of what I was thinking, thanks Savage.

[rchavis]

If you see it at idle on the hose .What do you think it looks like running at higher rpms . Time to pull the power head .

[Savage]

Good point.