Exhaust fume smell

[Aaronmorris12]

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

I am trying to figure out the smell of exhaust coming from my 2000 Valk I/S. Its only occasionally and also when warming up. Im wondering if it could be the length of my pipes. I have Jardine pipes that stop midways under the bags. Is it possible that the smell is just the exhaust being blown back up from under the bags rather than going out the back?

I only smell it at stops or when the bike is warming and I am on it or directly beside it.

Just trying to think through whats happening.

Any of you guys on here in the Stone Mountain Georgia area?

[Firefighter]

I can smell exhaust while warming up unless I am out where the wind will blow the exhaust away. The exhaust smell will be worse during warm up especially with the enrichener on. I suppose you could have an exhaust leak or the engine could be running rich and cause more smell. I would not worry if the bike runs well. A look at the sparklers would show if the engine is not carberating right. In traffic stops I sometimes smell some exhaust but usually think it is other vehicles. 2 cents at most! Be safe!

[Bighead]

If it runs well don't overthink it just ride it

[Tfrank59]

 Yeah some exhaust fumes are normal for these bikes because they run a little rich. In fact if you don't smell anything especially during warm-up she might be set a bit too lean. On the other hand if there are such strong fumes that you're getting dizzy well that's a bit extreme--you may have an exhaust leak down there somewhere, easy enough to check. The other thing guys say is make sure your gas cap is sealing properly and that you're not smelling gas fumes but rather as you say exhaust fumes.

[Aaronmorris12]

Its definitely exhaust and not gas from the tank.

I still think it is from the tip stopping under the bag rather than to the back of the bag. I smell it but its not overly pronounced. After an hour or so ride I can smell a faint smell on my pant legs. But I only smell it when Im standing still and its occassionally.

I'll call it the smell of power.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I zoomed in on the photo of your bike and can see that because the pipes are short some exhaust– especially when you're standing still – will come up in front of the bags where you are.  My bike has stock exhaust and I think it might have a slight leak somewhere down there maybe at the collector, maybe even at the exhaust ports but it's very slight so not an issue.  You might want to do what most of us do occasionally and that is make sure those 12 exhaust nuts are snug – they only take like 7 foot pounds so careful not to snap one off.

[Bighead]

Yeah I zoomed in on the photo of your bike and can see that because the pipes are short some exhaust– especially when you're standing still – will come up in front of the bags where you are.  My bike has stock exhaust and I think it might have a slight leak somewhere down there maybe at the collector, maybe even at the exhaust ports but it's very slight so not an issue.  You might want to do what most of us do occasionally and that is make sure those 12 exhaust nuts are snug – they only take like 7 foot pounds so careful not to snap one off.

I think those are measured in inch pounds not foot pounds.  Just snug them no need for a torque wrench.

[kodiakfisher]

I have realized that in the fall the bike collects condensation in the lower parts of the exhaust. This warm exhaust mixes with a bit of steam/water vapor and creates a heavy exhaust that just seems to sit around the bike unless a bit of a breeze blows it away. If I start the bike in the garage it will fill that garage up with exhaust fumes and about choke a person.

I didn't notice this at all during the warmer months I suspect the issue with condensation build up does not exist.

I know there is moisture in the exhaust system from condensation because it blows some of it out with a quick twist of the throttle and clears up shortly after reaching operating temperature and the position of the choke has very little effect.

Doug E on the Valky

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

I am trying to figure out the smell of exhaust coming from my 2000 Valk I/S. Its only occasionally and also when warming up. Im wondering if it could be the length of my pipes. I have Jardine pipes that stop midways under the bags. Is it possible that the smell is just the exhaust being blown back up from under the bags rather than going out the back?

I only smell it at stops or when the bike is warming and I am on it or directly beside it.

Just trying to think through whats happening.

Any of you guys on here in the Stone Mountain Georgia area?

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I zoomed in on the photo of your bike and can see that because the pipes are short some exhaust– especially when you're standing still – will come up in front of the bags where you are.  My bike has stock exhaust and I think it might have a slight leak somewhere down there maybe at the collector, maybe even at the exhaust ports but it's very slight so not an issue.  You might want to do what most of us do occasionally and that is make sure those 12 exhaust nuts are snug – they only take like 7 foot pounds so careful not to snap one off.

I think those are measured in inch pounds not foot pounds.  Just snug them no need for a torque wrench.

I don't use a torque wrench on mine either, just a small combo wrench.  wouldn't be surprised if I've snugged them to 7 ft lbs though

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I zoomed in on the photo of your bike and can see that because the pipes are short some exhaust– especially when you're standing still – will come up in front of the bags where you are.  My bike has stock exhaust and I think it might have a slight leak somewhere down there maybe at the collector, maybe even at the exhaust ports but it's very slight so not an issue.  You might want to do what most of us do occasionally and that is make sure those 12 exhaust nuts are snug – they only take like 7 foot pounds so careful not to snap one off.

I think those are measured in inch pounds not foot pounds.  Just snug them no need for a torque wrench.

Yeah I just checked those are not inch pounds but 7 foot pounds of torque on the exhaust acorn nuts.  Methinks 7 inch pounds would be barely finger tight

[flash2002]

If your not sure if it's rich, pull the plugs and see if there basically the same color ( not black )  On the exhaust manifold nuts, I installed stainless lock washers it never came loose.

[Led]

Consider you are sitting on a bike, that has an engine bigger than a lot of CAR engines........out in the open air.

Next time you start your car up, get out and walk back to the tail pipe. Smell anything like your bike is putting out?

Nothing to worry about!!!