365 boxer extractor leak

Hi all

as per the photo below, one of the extractors on the right hand side of the engine started seeping some oil, which then created some smoke as it burnt on the extractor itself. I wiped it clean and tightened the nuts which seemed to correct it. Is this a symptom of something more sinister? Should i replace the gasket? Can I do this with the engine in place?

Thanks

Greg

try the attachement again

Hi Greg,

there should not be any oil or gas or liquid of any type dripping or leaking from the extractor/header. Perhaps the leaking oil is from the Valve Cover Gaskit? If it is the extractor/header/Exhaust Port, you need to look into WHY & solve the problem as soon as possible, due to the fact that internal engine damage can result if the cylinder is washing down.

Regards, JRV

If your header is leaking fuel its probably due to that cylinder not firing, a colortune would be handy to determine this if its spark or a carb tune issue, oil would be more of a concern with cylinder condition which you could check the compression to verify.

Probably as JR said its leaking oil from the valve cover onto the header.

This may be coincidence but the problem began straight after I cleaned the corresponding carby idle jet on that side which was clogged. Any thoughts?
Thanks

If the idle jet was plugged the cylinder would not have been firing or getting fuel until the main jets kick in which is around 2000+rpm, you can see this using a colortune as you will see it spark but no combustion in the cylinder, it's just black, seems a coincidence concerning this problem unless this cylinder has a spark issue and is not firing so the idle jet being clear now it just dumps fuel into the cylinder and it seeps out the header.


I would do a comprehensive carb check if it has been awhile since serviced, checking the float level, air flow with a syncrometer and carb mixture reading with a colortune or visual check on the plugs.

You may also have a ignition problem which is another thing you can verify with the colortune,could be due to corroded cap connections or the rotor, on the ends of the solid core spark plug wires remove the rubber boot that goes over the extender and check the connector on the wire where it snaps on the extender, most of mine were loose and had green corrosion on them, after cleaning I pinched them with pliers so it had a tight connection to the extenders.

If fuel is washing down into your cylinder you should smell fuel in your oil also, something to check.

Thanks Guys

I'll go over it again next weekend and let you know what I find

Cheers

Greg

Well the leak stopped and no sign of smoking after a spirited drive. I does seem rather more than coincidental that the smoke/"leak" from the exhaust port occurred straight after I cleaned a clogged idle jet from the corresponding carby. Maybe it was fuel rather than oil? Would fuel smoke like that if it hit a hot exhaust?