Smoke out of #6, whatta ya think?

[Hook#3287]

I finally got Penny out for a ride down the road.

She's not registered, so I only went down a back road about a 1/2 mile or so and back.

WHAT A HOOT!!    She's gonna be a lot of fun.

Got home and noticed some smoking.  Didn't concern me as she's sat for almost a year.

Today I fired her up and no smoke, at least not in the beginning.  After she warmed up some, I got this out of #6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j_W-KjQQu0
Seems to be oil, but it's hard to tell if it's blueish or all white.


15 mins later
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhtnrZnlv3I


I haven't done anything yet, I think I want to get a good ride on her first to see if it gets worse or improves, but wanted to see what everyone thought would be the correct steps.

All inputs welcomed.

[hubcapsc]

#6 pulls the vacuum on the petcock... if you have an OEM petcock,
it is worth making sure your petcock is OK... if your petcock is
busted in such a way as to make gas run down the vacuum line,
you might see gas dripping from the petcock weephole, or the
petcock might feel wet from gas seeping out... the #6 plug
would look different from the other plugs...

-Mike

[matt]

Pingle or stock petcock?   Mine does that if I have any additive in gas. Hard seeing but I am going to say not oil  as it looks like it dispersed

[Hook#3287]

That's what I love about this site, I didn't even consider the petcock.

It's OEM and I haven't done anything to it, it is working correctly, at least was.

I'll check that out.

Don't believe I've got any additive in the gas, I took it out of my 5gal safety can I use for small equipment, but can't remember if I added anything when I filled it.  Chances are 50/50 on that.  

But why would it be only #6 and no others?

[Pete]

That's what I love about this site, I didn't even consider the petcock.

It's OEM and I haven't done anything to it, it is working correctly, at least was.

I'll check that out.

Don't believe I've got any additive in the gas, I took it out of my 5gal safety can I use for small equipment, but can't remember if I added anything when I filled it.  Chances are 50/50 on that.  

But why would it be only #6 and no others?

Because #6 is the vacuum for the petcock and may be passing gas down with the vacuum. Making #6 rich.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Bill, it looked like it quit smoking in the second video ? If so, that kind of makes lean towards a leaky valve stem guide. The theory of gas going down the vacuum line to #6 seems logical to me also. I think it would be real easy to switch it to #5 and see if it does the same thing.

[Hook#3287]

Because #6 is the vacuum for the petcock and may be passing gas down with the vacuum. Making #6 rich.

 Yeah, no, that question was to the additive possible cause.  

Bill, it looked like it quit smoking in the second video ? If so, that kind of makes lean towards a leaky valve stem guide. The theory of gas going down the vacuum line to #6 seems logical to me also. I think it would be real easy to switch it to #5 and see if it does the same thing.

Yeah, stops smoking when cooled, or starts when warmed, depending on how you look at it.   ???

 I was thinking of the valve stem guide, but was hoping for something easier.  

I'll switch the vacuum tube over to another carb next time I fire her up.

[Firefighter]

Looks normal to me, condensation in the exhaust will look like that.

[gordonv]

Looks normal to me, condensation in the exhaust will look like that.

My thought also. Check the exhaust pipe for soot. Either fuel (rich) or oil, should leave extra soot on the inside of the pipe.

I feel it burns off, therefore it's only water. Fuel/oil getting into the cylinder should happen all the time.

Ignore it till after you start riding it on a regular bases. Then re-inspect. Specially after it's been ride and fully warm.

[Hook#3287]

Looks normal to me, condensation in the exhaust will look like that.

That was my original thought too, but the smoke is coming out of just number six alone and it's not getting any lighter.

Also, condensation smoke usually will start as soon as, or right after, you start the bike.  This smoke doesn't start until the engine is warmed up.

Looks normal to me, condensation in the exhaust will look like that.

My thought also. Check the exhaust pipe for soot. Either fuel (rich) or oil, should leave extra soot on the inside of the pipe.

I feel it burns off, therefore it's only water. Fuel/oil getting into the cylinder should happen all the time.

Ignore it till after you start riding it on a regular bases. Then re-inspect. Specially after it's been ride and fully warm.

Yeah, that's the plan, take her out and run her through her paces.  Won't have time til the end of the week, maybe Sunday.

If it's only water, that concerns me because it's only #6.

[nogrey]

One other consideration: The vacuum line to the petcock. Make sure that it is not cracked and leaking. One other thing, you should consider rebuilding the petcock. The kit is like $16 and it's cheap insurance. My '97 has the original petcock and it was operating perfectly. Since my girl is over 20 (built in 96) I thought that I'd rebuild it while I had the gas tank off for other maint. I was really glad I did. The rubber inside was really showing signs of fatigue. It hadn't failed yet, but it was imminent.
One more thing: When starting your valk, get in the habit of hitting the starter and letting off real quick. Should a hydrolock ever occur, it won't break the starter gear. If she turns over normal, then go ahead and start her.

[Jess from VA]

The good rebuild kit (Coverset).  Having (at least) one of these on hand (with multiple bikes and OE petcocks) is a very good idea.   http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-16953-MBZ-B51.html

Years ago, Big BF found both my petcocks needed rebuilding (holed/deformed diaphragms) before I ever noticed any adverse symptoms of fuel starvation, leaking, or hydrolock in either bike.

He also desmogged both my bikes with this (purchased X2 in advance):   http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/desmog.html

Fat, dumb and happy (me) is all good.... until you're unhappy.   

[Hook#3287]

The vacuum line is new and the petcock is working as designed.

I don't believe I inspected that one, so maybe I'll check it out next rainy day.

I've rebuilt at least 10 petcocks over the years and always have two cover sets in inventory.

Been doing the bump start for years now, good practice.

I pulled the vacuum hose off of #6 intake and it's bone dry, don't feel the petcock figures in on my issue.

[Harryc]

Since she set up for so long you might want to ride her for a few weeks Bill just to see how it settles in before going deeper into it. Just keep an eye on the oil level. Check the plug for a good burn too. If it's darker than the others then look into it.

[Hook#3287]

Since she set up for so long you might want to ride her for a few weeks Bill just to see how it settles in before going deeper into it. Just keep an eye on the oil level. Check the plug for a good burn too. If it's darker than the others then look into it.

Good advice, thanks Harry.

[Dorkman]

Since she set up for so long you might want to ride her for a few weeks Bill just to see how it settles in before going deeper into it. Just keep an eye on the oil level. Check the plug for a good burn too. If it's darker than the others then look into it.

Good advice, thanks Harry.

I would go with checking the plug, or just change it out.  A fouled or misfiring plug will show these erratic symptoms.

[greggh]

Had that very same problem with mine
Sounds to me like you have rivets that let go in the clutch plate in her blocking oil journals therefore causing oil to back up and smoke out through the exhaust
Got my clutch replaced problem solved

[Harryc]

Had that very same problem with mine
Sounds to me like you have rivets that let go in the clutch plate in her blocking oil journals therefore causing oil to back up and smoke out through the exhaust
Got my clutch replaced problem solved

If that were the case, why would only one pipe smoke though?

[Hook#3287]

Had that very same problem with mine
Sounds to me like you have rivets that let go in the clutch plate in her blocking oil journals therefore causing oil to back up and smoke out through the exhaust
Got my clutch replaced problem solved

Hey greggh, thanks for the info.  That's an interesting cause.  Someone else mentioned that in one of the past posts I found during a search.

The clutch seems to be working correctly, though, at this time.  I know the rivets can be heading south and the clutch will still operate correctly.  I've replaced one damper plate some 12 -13 years  ago, so this would be my second.  Hope you're wrong

Then again, clutch would be a more desirable than valve work.

Your smoke coming out of #6 only also?  She, so far, only starts smoking after warm up.

The weather here hasn't been good enough to warrant a good ride, but it's looking good after Sunday, so hopefully I'll get her out and see what's what.

[Hook#3287]

Since she set up for so long you might want to ride her for a few weeks Bill just to see how it settles in before going deeper into it. Just keep an eye on the oil level. Check the plug for a good burn too. If it's darker than the others then look into it.

Good advice, thanks Harry.

I would go with checking the plug, or just change it out.  A fouled or misfiring plug will show these erratic symptoms.

New plugs.  Once I get out, I'll do a plug check and report back.  She doesn't seems to be misfiring at all.  She actually runs really well.

[greggh]

If I recall correctly I believe it was a number 6 cylinder it was on the Cobra pipes and it is only coming out the one exhaust and I do think it was a number 6
The Steeler was going to charge me up early to $1,500 to do a valve job until I took note of what replies were given to me here on this board after informing him of the clutch problem possible clutch problem they looked at the clutch and found that that was my issue
Hindsight being 20-20 if I had let them do the valve job and not solve the problem I would have gotten a free valve job done at their expense and not mine
But none the less the clutch was the problem my clutch was working fine although it was still smoking from the number 6 pipe

[Hook#3287]

If I recall correctly I believe it was a number 6 cylinder it was on the Cobra pipes and it is only coming out the one exhaust and I do think it was a number 6
The Steeler was going to charge me up early to $1,500 to do a valve job until I took note of what replies were given to me here on this board after informing him of the clutch problem possible clutch problem they looked at the clutch and found that that was my issue
Hindsight being 20-20 if I had let them do the valve job and not solve the problem I would have gotten a free valve job done at their expense and not mine
But none the less the clutch was the problem my clutch was working fine although it was still smoking from the number 6 pipe

Wow, as I said, that's very interesting.  If after I do the extended ride, I still have smoke, I'll pull the clutch cover and check it out.

Thanks.

[Hook#3287]

Finally got her out today.

Beautiful day here in N.E. and I got 150+ miles up around the Quabbin Reservoir.

She's not smoking any longer.

Didn't do anything but thrash her and she loved it. 

I'll check the oil level tomorrow and report any findings.

[Harryc]

Good news Bill. I would have done the same.

[greggh]

Any more smoke?

[Hook#3287]

Any more smoke?

Nope.  I got just over 200 miles on her in two trips and everything is great.  No smoke and she runs and sounds like a scalded ape.  (no idea what that means, except, I think it means really really good and fast.)

With the straight bars and the low tire, even though it's a C/T & Dbl Dark Side, she tracks very well.

She's a cruizer no more and I'm having a blast with her.

[Gabriel]

It looked like condensate to me...