Is there any reason the carbs would be leaking oil?

[onchiman]

Are you sure it is in fact oil? My GS850 had a seepage of gas past at bowl drains and there would appear some drops of what "felt" and "looked" like oil on the brass plug. Occasionally it would drip onto the starter cover and leave a brown filth there. It actually was gas that was being turned into "varnish" by seeping out. I guess heat and air caused it to thicken into what appeared like oil. It smelled faintly of turpentine. I pulled out the drain plugs, wrapped some Teflon tape around the threads and put them back in. Problem solved.

[Roostabunny]

Good advice overall. Can you explain which areas to avoid with the high-pressure wash? Are there sensitive area on say, the carbs?

Actually, my main concern was to avoid water getting forced into the crankcase or something incredible like that, but around the carbs I usually still go with a lower pressure or stand back a little further. They don't get nearly as baked as the engine itself, so the grime comes off with less effort.

As an aside, I know I'm a geek, but I actually bring a water-filled spritz bottle with me to ease/speed up the cool-down process. The mist is too light to hurt anything, but it helps the headers and fins cool down much faster than plain air. Take one whiff of vaporized degreaser and you'll know why I care about getting the engine to a reasonable temp.

[Dogma]

As an aside, I know I'm a geek, but I actually bring a water-filled spritz bottle with me to ease/speed up the cool-down process. The mist is too light to hurt anything, but it helps the headers and fins cool down much faster than plain air. Take one whiff of vaporized degreaser and you'll know why I care about getting the engine to a reasonable temp.

Heh. I think I'd try for the rinse cycle on the power washer. Nothing but water, and at lower pressure too, IIRC. The thermal shock should be similar to a rainstorm if you go easy on it. How long does it take for you to cool the engine your way?

[Roostabunny]

Heh. I think I'd try for the rinse cycle on the power washer. Nothing but water, and at lower pressure too, IIRC. The thermal shock should be similar to a rainstorm if you go easy on it. How long does it take for you to cool the engine your way?

You're probably right about the rinse cycle - take it easy and you should be fine. As for my procedure, I mist the headers and fins with about a pint of water then give it an additional 15 minutes, then spray the degreaser and give that another 5. The engine's still warm (which helps the degreaser IMO) but not so hot you get a toxic cloud that knocks out the poor person washing their car in the next bay.

Truth is, I think I started using the spray bottle because I was too cheap to put in another set of quarters. The time would always run out while I was letting the degreaser soak.

[BentRod]

This may seem completely unrelated, but what is your oil like? Is there mysteriously more than there should be? or is it very thin or light. Lighter than 10w-40 should be?

If either of these is the case, the I suspect that you are getting gas into your oil, with the excessive volume causing it to splash up and out the vent at the top of the valve cover, which would then deposite it on your carbs. This means you likely have a faulty petcock, which could also explain why your bike is running, but badly.

How is your engine performing? when does it cut out? does it bog down?

does your petcock work? If you disconnect the fuel and vacume lines, does it pour fuel properly on prime? does it leak when set to on?