How vital is the exhaust gasket on my 357xp?

[Joe Newton]

My 357 rattled an exhaust bolt free a while ago. Got round to sorting it this evening and found that half the exhaust gasket has gone AWOL.

 

Will I get away with running it without for a few days while I wait for the part or is it best to be patient?

[billpierce]

Probs get away with it if needs must. But knowing my luck it would melt some vital plastics or rattle loose and thread the exhaust bolt hole on the cylinder. 

[spudulike]

You will probably get away with it for a bit as long as there is no major leakage. Any big leaks will cause the saw to run lean and that may well cause issues with seizure being the worst.

Choice is yours!!

[Joe Newton]

Cheers Steve, I'll be a big boy and lug the 500 around until the parts arrive 🙄