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Message started by Tocsik on 02/14/16 at 07:37:30

Title: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Tocsik on 02/14/16 at 07:37:30

This is the leak from the nut inside the cavity just under the exhaust header.
I've read several posts where folks have just removed the nut, cleaned things up and reinstalled with some RTV to fix it.

Is that nut on a stud so there's no need to hold the other end of a bolt up top? I put a wrench on it and feels tight so wanted to ask before putting any more torque on it.
Is this related to the head plug leak? My searching/reading on the forum tells me "no", which would be great.
I did come across one post where it was stated that it could be the front left bolt that holds the chrome cover on the motor and I have had that sucker off in the past to access the spark plug so I'll prob'ly check that one.

I didn't have this until I did the Versy CCT which seems strange since I didn't touch the top of the motor and haven't put but a hundred miles or so on the bike since then. BTW, I currently have just over 10K miles on it if that helps.
I first noticed a little smoking from the cylinder when warming up the bike to ride home from work and then found the oil.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k548/Tocsik87/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_153134494_zps7nhbuala.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/Tocsik87/media/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_153134494_zps7nhbuala.jpg.html) http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k548/Tocsik87/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_152920331_zps0lq9uiex.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/Tocsik87/media/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_152920331_zps0lq9uiex.jpg.html) http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k548/Tocsik87/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_153147291_zpswszru2nk.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/Tocsik87/media/S40/oil%20leak%20front%20of%20motor/IMG_20160213_153147291_zpswszru2nk.jpg.html)

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Dave on 02/14/16 at 11:18:40

Oil seems to be able to weep around the mulitple layers of the head gasket, and the oil can ooze out the stud under the intake and exhaust port.

Remove the nut and clean it, clean the stud really well, and apply some sealant on the threads and bottom flange of the nut.....not a big glob...just a bit. Then tighten the nut down pretty snugly - supposed to be torqued buy I just tighten it down with a wrench to a one-handed tight.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by badwolf on 02/14/16 at 11:22:23

Mine leaked there too. I took off the nut (it's on a stud so you don't have to hold the other end) cleaned it up, rtv'ed it and tightened it up. It leaked again shorty thereafter. Did it again with high heat rtv (copper) and added a lock washer. Now I snug it up every 400-500 miles and it hasn't leaked in 7000 miles. Just don't over-tighten it, if you strip the stud you will have to pull the head to fix it. Use a box end wrench no more than 6" long and tighten it till it hurts your hand and it should be fine. NO BREAKER BARS or long extensions for more leverage!

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by cheapnewb24 on 02/14/16 at 17:54:53

I had trouble with the exact same nut. With mine, the nut had fallen off completely. I drove the thing for who knows how long without that nut. For all I know, it might have been gone when I bought the thing. I rode to the dealership, and they gave me a nut and let me borrow a wrench to put it on free of charge.

I lost a lot more oil with that nut missing than you are. From the look of the pictures, it is but a tiny dribble.

Of course, by all means, follow the instructions the others have given you since I am no authority here. I take no responsibility for your bike crashing, falling apart, exploding or spontaneously being struck by lightning and bursting into flames as a consequence of neglecting this little leak and following my obscene and blasphemous example. ;D

Dave, don't delete this post. My experience is relevant here. [Boo!] :P

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Dave on 02/16/16 at 04:53:55

5E55585C4D53584A5F0F093D0 wrote:

Dave, don't delete this post. My experience is relevant here. [Boo!] :P

Relevant....maybe....in a "Don't do what I did" sort of way.

The proper nut is a flanged nut, with a smooth (not serrated) bottom to spread the load onto the aluminum head - don't use a nut with a serrated bottom or any lock washer, as it will chew away at the aluminum and make it hard to seal. The factory part is silver on the engines with silver cylinders, and a black oxide finish on the bikes with a black cylinder. I doubt if color really makes much of a difference, as the nuts are well hidden.

Clean the stud, cylinder and nut if they are oily, then put a small dab of sealer on the flange and the stud before installing the nut.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Rodger on 02/16/16 at 06:38:33

Good info, Dave.

I'm semi-laid up after shoulder surgery & doing preventative chores like this one will help my morale...make me feel I'm "in the game" even though I can't be "in the wind."

Do you think a dab of blue Loctite on stud threads would be a good idea to further prevent loosening & leakage down the road?

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Dave on 02/16/16 at 07:28:44

Blue locktite is definitely useful on the Savage, and using it on this stud wouldn't hurt a thing....however the sealant will do the same thing.

The only downside of using sealant - is that you cannot ever "check" the bolt for tightness....or you will ruin the seal. You will have to remove it, clean it up, and "re-seal" it. The factory doesn't use sealer in this location, as the head gasket is not supposed to weep any oil....however it seems that many years and many miles seems to make the bike a bit leaky.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Tocsik on 02/17/16 at 16:08:53

I started with the easy method before removing the nut, cleaning and RTV'ing. I just put a 12mm combo wrench on the nut and tightened a bit (grimaced a little while worried about stripping). Did this after running the motor a little to warm things up. Only got a little bit of movement and then cleaned up with a rag and carb cleaner. Started up again and saw a small "snot bubble" of oil on the tip of the stud but no more leak. I thought that initial bubble was going to tell me I was in for more work but everything good so far.

Could this mean there's a chance I actually need to re-check torque on the cylinder head nuts/bolts per the Clymer manual? I have read here some do this and some don't. I don't have any other obvious leaks (quickly knocks wood) so prob'ly won't fix wut aint broke.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Zach906 on 09/20/17 at 11:25:20

I'm having a very similar issue. I just changed the petcock to gravity and the oil to Rotella T5 15W40. Is this the same problem? Maybe because I switched oils? Thoughts?

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Zach906 on 09/20/17 at 11:28:07

Picture of issue here

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Dave on 09/20/17 at 14:19:03

Changing oil brands doesn't cause leaks.

IF that is on the left front side of the engine....it could be the head plug, or the failure of the sealant between the head and head cover.

You need to clean, run the engine....and look to see where the oil leak originates.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Zach906 on 09/20/17 at 15:18:13

That is the left front. I'll be able to clean it up and diagnose more tomorrow.
Thank you

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by batman on 09/20/17 at 16:21:52

The nut we're out in talking about is basically on a head bolt,it only needs to be torqued to 20 ft/lbs .

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by piedmontbuckeye on 09/24/17 at 08:05:23

I've had similar problems just in the past month. I tried the tightening suggestion (mine was definitely not tight enough) but that didn't help stop the problem, just slowed it down.

Last evening I took nut off, completely cleaned around everything, and then reassembled using Permatex Form-A-Gasket (stays flexible) and re-torqued tighter. We'll see.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by batman on 09/24/17 at 19:24:29

The four main head bolts are sealed with copper washers .Can anyone spare a penny?( old ones are95% pure copper5%zinc, before mid1982 after that they are junk-97.5% zinc 2.5%copper ) Sand both sides of one of them old puppies smooth, drill a hole, anneal, apply-20ft/lbs torque- BINGO!

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Flint on 09/29/17 at 07:23:38

You can anneal copper washers and use them again, just heat a dull red and dunk them in cold water just like annealing brass for reloading.

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by CHMcGregor on 01/12/21 at 03:25:10

Hey folks; nube here, in this forum and to mechanics generally.

I have an S40 with only 3000 kilometers on the clock and just found this nut in the same condition. I get the idea from reading here, that the oil is probably not from something associated with this nut, but rather leaking through there with the source being somewhere else. I also have a mist of black oil on the front of the battery box. Could this result from the fact that I didn't empty the little hose that hangs out the bottom of the bike when I did my oil changes?

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by norm92de on 01/12/21 at 12:14:15

*F*C C'est la meme chose nez pas? But for the numbers. :)

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/12/21 at 16:28:07

Could this result from the fact that I didn't empty the little hose that hangs out the bottom of the bike when I did my oil changes?
Back to top

I doubt it,
But
Dump it, wipe up, see what happens

Title: Re: question about that oil leak under the exhaust
Post by Zepp on 01/16/21 at 17:01:11

1F24283822204B0 wrote:

It looks like on my bike, the seller alerted me on that, so I got the bike real cheap!
In any whay, I thought that I could fix it,, I do read a lot on this site, and got sugestions.
First sugestion is to thígthen the forward under the head nut, I promised to buy me a new torgue wrench and tighten the nut. Long time.. I didnt say wish year.. preferly at spring this year.. I hope! :-/ To try this out.