Exhaust leak question

[79general]

I have had a exhaust leak at the flange for a while now and it keeps getting worse. my truck a 79 K10 with a 350 started running kinda rough last night and i was wondering if that had any thing to do with it. what damage can a exhaust leak cause?? it is almost like one cylinder is not firing i have not checked the plugs yet so that could be the issue but i really want to know what damage if any the exhaust leak could cause?? thanks.

 

[doonjumper]

I have had a exhaust leak at the flange for a while now and it keeps getting worse. my truck a 79 K10 with a 350 started running kinda rough last night and i was wondering if that had any thing to do with it. what damage can a exhaust leak cause?? it is almost like one cylinder is not firing i have not checked the plugs yet so that could be the issue but i really want to know what damage if any the exhaust leak could cause?? thanks.

The only real problem, well there are two really, that I can think of is it provides a direct path for carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment which is not good and that if the leak is close to a spark plug wire the hot gasses can burn a wire or boot. Id start there...oh and get the leak fixed before you get carbon monoxide poisoning

 

[4X4HIGH]

A large enough exhaust leak at the head could eventually cause an exhaust valve to burn. First check your plugs and wires though and fix the exhaust leak.