oil in exhaust?

I just picked up an 86 500 interceptor and attempted to start the bike which started fine but then i noticed oil drops coming from the exhaust collector on the bottom of the bike where the muffler connects to. Would this be maybe cause it needs a valve adjustment or is it something more serious? When its running it sounds fine with no noises.

 

Are you positive that it is oil? It could be condensation leaking out of the joint.

 

Thinking the same thing myself, if the engine was pumping that much oil oot the exhaust your troubles would be much worse fast.

 

It definitely looks like oil judging from the stains on the garage floor. I was thinking that maybe it was from the previous owner squirting oil in the valves so it would start easier but don't they only do that on cars? Anyhow it still leaks only after a little after shutdown then stops, never while just sitting there in the garage. it only comes out from the bottom not from the actual muffler tips.

 

Give the drips the old sniff and rub between the fingers test & see what you come up with.

 

It sounds like it might be gradually dripping from the rear head's valve cover down to the collector. Take a look at the rear head with a flashlight and look for drips around it. If that's the case you can just do the valves then put on a new gasket.

 

Use some Simple green or some other degreaser and hose off where the oil is dripping.

Wipe the area clean and then see if you can pinpoint where exactly it's leaking from.

 

Don't want to run the thread off topic, but I seem to get a fair amount of what I assume is condensation dripping from the collector / muffler joints when I start up mine. More than I notice on other bikes? Seem right?

 

Water vapor, not condensation in your case. There should be a drain hole for water vapor to get out so it doesn't rust your muffler quicker.

 

Water vapor is a byproduct of combustion. When the engine is started cold,the vapor condenses in the muffler/pipes and drips out of the drain hole and joints if they are not completely tight. Once the exhaust pipes get hot, the vapor doesn't condense and goes out with the exhaust gases.

 

Understood, just thought the amount I see on these bikes is excessive compared to my others. Just leaky joints then I guess!

Thanks for the input!

 

Carbon particles+moisture+ hot gas= blackish drips until exhaust reaches temperature, a phenomonon well know to 90% of motor vehicle owners, but not to you, apparently, or you just a natural worrier ??

If you see clouds of darkish smoke sometimes, then you have a problem with oil in the exhaust.

You are fortunate to have a 500 that seems to run well, and it will until the valves fall out, so enjoy.