oil leaking onto #1 header?

[seestheday]

I have oil on my #1 header and I'm not sure where it's coming from.  It shouldn't be possible for it to have come out from where the headers connect to the block.  I suspect my gaskets are in bad shape and intend to replace them.  Is there anything else that this could be?

One other thing, I am still getting a little exhaust smoke coming out from the front of the engine when I first start the bike up, but it seems to be coming from the #3 or #4 cylinder.  I do have the header crush washers installed, but I'm now thinking I should have put some other type of high temp sealant in there to help them out.

At first I thought the liquid on the #1 header might be gas, but it smells like oil, doesn't evaporate, and is slimy like oil.

Another thing that is probably unrelated - my air/fuel mix isn't quite right as I'm waiting for the 90 degree screwdriver I ordered to arrive.

[shinyribs]

I can't help much on here,but regarding the high temp sealant,when I put my bike together I couldn't get my crush washers out of my head. I'm sure I could if I tried,but they were in there pretty good and seemed smooth. I sprayed some carburetor cleaner around and cleaned them real good and used some of the Permatex copper hi temp silicone. 4,000+miles and no leaks yet.*fingers crossed*. Just make sure you apply it to all surfaces you want to seal-head,header flange,crush washer...-and let it skin over before you assemble it.

Working great for me so far,if you try it and its a disaster then I apologize in advance

[Half-Caf]

Hmm, sounds like we have some similar problems, Sees. I found a similar gas/oil streak on my left header last fall:



As for the exhaust leak, I'll show you an idea I stole from Shiny
You can get a spigot/clamp setup pretty cheap which should not only have a better seal, but would make things a lot easier if you're accustomed to constantly tearing down your bike like I am.

[TOOLS1]

I am not up on the DOHC bikes, but if it were a SOHC I would say the valve cover gasket is leaking, or the nickles under the cam tower. Oil does not run out the exhaust unless it is a two stroke.
TOOLS

[seestheday]

It could definitely be the valve cover gasket that is leaking.  I didn't have the gasket set when I checked my clearances and I just put the old one back on.

Its on my list of things to replace.

I was also thinking that it might be a leak that is coming from where the tachometer goes in.

Thanks for all of the help everyone.

Half-Caf - where did you get those exhaust clamps, and do you know if there is a DOHC version?  Those specify that they'll work on the 69-76 models and mine is an 81.

[TOOLS1]

You could adapt an 81 to the spigot style, but it would take some $$$$$$$. You would need to find the spigots, and clamps. Then, you would need an older spigot style exhaust. The good thing is the spigots will bolt right on, and the older SOHC exhaust will also fit on a DOHC bike, but might need some persuasion.
TOOLS

[Half-Caf]

Sees, I don't have them yet, but they are on my shopping list...
I was thinking it wouldn't be that hard to find the spigots. As for adapting the pipes, I thought I could just slit my 4-1 headers.

Perhaps I was wrong

[Lucky 1]

Do you have the copper round O ring type exhaust gaskets, or the stainless steel bellows type washers?

[seestheday]

Copper round crush washers, but I didn't use any sealant.

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

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From: "Lucky 1 [via Honda CB750'S]" <[hidden email]>

Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:38:32 -0700 (PDT)

To: seestheday<[hidden email]>

Subject: Re: oil leaking onto #1 header?

Do you have the copper round O ring type exhaust gaskets, or the stainless steel bellows type washers?

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[shinyribs]

Half-Caf wrote

Sees, I don't have them yet, but they are on my shopping list...
I was thinking it wouldn't be that hard to find the spigots. As for adapting the pipes, I thought I could just slit my 4-1 headers.

Perhaps I was wrong

Good question. The spigot style pipes swell out to slide over the spigots themselves. I dont know what the actual I.D. of that is. I'll try to remember to measure that tonight.

Well hold up,I'm not gonna pop my header off to measure the ID.I'll get the OD and we can go from there

[seestheday]

Tools, I've confirmed you're right about my valve cover gasket leaking.

I also have some bad news, I checked the bolt around where it was leaking and it seemed loose.  I tightened it up a little and it started slipping (way under the torque setting of where it was supposed to be).  It's definitely stripped.  I have my first heli-coil/timesert in my near future.

Has anyone done this recently?  Do you know what heli-coil or timesert I need to buy for the valve cover bolt on a dohc?

[shultz_1978]

Hi Sees

 Just looking over your post. I believe you need to drill and tap for a  "heli-coil". I am not sure what size the head bolts are but You might be able to tap for a sae size that is just a little over the metric size. Just a thought. Good luck   Here is my mixer screw drive.It is just the insert for a drill with a flat head tip works great.