Forum

[dazza]

Hi my 2007 royal Enfield bullet 350cc has started to drip oil from the exhaust cooling ring bolt where the exhaust goes into the head I have tightened the Allen bolt up but not sure if these have a seal or it needs something to stop it
Photo attached showing where oil leaks from

[Presto]

Can you tell us which 350 Bullet you have that has the exhaust pipe fitted with an exhaust ring with bolts?
It's not possible to tell much from the photo.

[PeteF]

If it's a standard classic iron barrel 350 the exhaust header is just a push fit in the head. The finned collar is just clamped round the pipe and does not hold the pipe into the head.
If you have oil leaking from there it's would be coming from the combustion space and the bike will be smoking.

[Presto]

Yes, PeteF - I can see now the orientation of the photo.

And agreed - oil from the exhaust pipe will be oil from the combustion chamber - which will be oil down the valve guides or blow-by from piston/piston-rings.

[dazza]

Thanks for reply yes she did smoke on the start up but then settle as she hasn't been started in a few months
And yes if I undo that bolt the exhaust does push into the head so what do I need to do to stop it leaking

[Presto]

Fixing the problem depends on what the problem is.
You can stop the leak at the exhaust pipe by using silicone sealant and putting a ring of it around the end of the exhaust pipe and pushing the pipe back into the head.
But you need to find out where the oil is coming from that is leaking out of the exhaust pipe.
And that means removing the cylinder head to check the valves and valves guides and removing the cylinder barrel to check the piston and piston rings.

You'd be looking for wear between the valve stems and guides or wear between the piston and the cylinder walls.
Just the job for these winter days!

[dazza]

Just a thought just before winter I gave the bike a oil change and I just checked the dip stick and reading is at the top of the markings would this lead to the problem I’m thinking just a tad to much oil ?
I normally get it done by a top Enfield Mec but due to lockdown I did it myself so not sure if I may have added to much I’m just thinking I’ve also un tightened the bolt and pushed exhaust in a tad which seams to work at moment on 10 minutes at idle

[PeteF]

Are you sure it's oil and not sooty condensation?

[Presto]

I suggest you buy the Service Guide from our hosts and give the bike a careful service and tidy-up before going any further with this.
It'll pay you to do this and to know what you're doing.

[black fingernail]

Could it possibly be running down from the rocker box?