I have a 1998 C90/VL 1500 Intruder/Boulevard and it has started smoking around the connection between the upper exhaust pipe and the manifold (for lack of a better word).
Has anyone experienced this? And what was done to correct the issue?
You need a new exhaust header gasket.
That is assuming that it is not suddenly using more oil and also smoking out the talipipe.
I would suggest letting a shop do it......because breaking off one of the mounting bolts in the head can be VERY expensive and is a fairly easy mistake to make.
Thank you. I've considered that. The pipe bolts are relatively easy to access and I appreciate your words of caution on using care if I choose to do it myself.
I have tried tightening the bolts, so they turn fairly easy. But I will seriously consider having a shop do it.
Well you likely are past the critical point already then.
The problem occurs when they are frozen in place and badly rusted.
With a little care, you should be OK.
Just don't over-tighten them when going back on.
Cant help with the setting but if a new gasket is installed finger tight then an 1/8 to 1/4 turn would be all I would do. Also they should be retigtened a short while later once the gasket beds in...imo
+1
And it is a good idea to run the "nut" up and down the threads a few times......past the point it normally sits......before putting it back together. Sometimes the threads are slightly damaged and need some "cleaning".
The update is, I ordered new gaskets for both connections. Turned out they were the wrong size. No worries, they were cheap. So I ordered another set, so hopefully they'll be the right ones.
I find it weird that the nuts/bolts should only be finger tight. But then again, I'm not a mechanic so who am I to understand such things. Lol
Change that response to it's odd that it should be tightened not much beyond finger tight. That's like an oil drain plug. And yes, I agree with retightening them after riding a bit.
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