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white smoke

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by motorduck, Apr 24, 2009.

  1. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    I don't post often, but I really enjoy reading this forum. I am amazed how polite, informed and helpful everyone is.

    Enough fawning. Here is my problem:

    Changed my oil on Tuesday. Took the bike out for its first longer ride (more than half an hour) today and it started billowing white smoke out the muffler.

    Aside from all of the terrifying, "rebuild your engine" problems that the manual listed, it also said that it could have too much oil. Here are my questions:

    1. Do I just let some oil out, and make it all better?
    2. What kind of damage have done if I DID put too much oil in?
    3. Anyone have a suggested course of action, before I have to replace all of my valve seals?
     
  2. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    How much oil did you put in? it should only take about 2.7 litres, with filter change.
     
  3. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    I think it's supposed to be 2.6. I probably put in closer to 2.8 litres
     
  4. DaveXJ

    DaveXJ Member

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    I would start with a compression test if you can. This will let you know the condition of all 4 cylinders. You can do a search and find out how to go about checking if the rings are bad or the valves. You should be able to watch the oil in the view window rise as you upright your bike. It should go to the top of the window, but no more.
     
  5. JoeFriday77

    JoeFriday77 Member

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    I am sure the answer is no, but just to rule things out. Do you have any Seafoam in your gas?
     
  6. midnightblu

    midnightblu Member

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    what type of oil did you use and how much? did this start as soon as you started the bike, or as it warmmed up.... also how does the air filter look?
    is there any sign of oil in the air box?
     
  7. bill

    bill Active Member

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    You can take some oil out, should not be any damage but overfilled oil usually comes out the crank vent into the airbox. So it may be breathing the oil.

    Dave is right check your compression and oil level as described. Billowing smoke sounds like it was burning oil.
     
  8. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    No seafoam in my gas.
    I used 10W-30 Synthetic.
    It started after the bike warmed up - not as soon as I turned it on (what does this mean?)
    I'll check out the air filter today.
     
  9. greggvickrey

    greggvickrey Member

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    Motor, not sure how over filling oil works on a bike, Bill might be right about oil going thru vent hose to airfilter box. But on a car (I have experience) it will push past the rings & get burnt in the cylinder. Just my 2cents.
    Gregg
     
  10. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    Gregg, if it gets burnt in the cylinder, what does that mean? Will that do harm or will it just burn off?
     
  11. bill

    bill Active Member

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    That can happen but path of least resistance is the crank vent. Of course the worse your rings the more oil that goes by them. That's why Dave was asking about compression. White smoke is a good bit of oil though IMHO
     
  12. greggvickrey

    greggvickrey Member

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    Motor, just means you have oil pushed past the piston rings & into the combustion chamber. As far as harming anything, only would oil foul the plugs at some point. The compression test is a good idea, as bill said it should take the path of least resistance, the crank case vent hose. But as we all know stranger things happen with these ole girls. Let us know what you find on the compression check & if you get smoke after draining some oil.
    Gregg
     
  13. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    I'm going in to Murray's Auto parts for a compression check right now. Just went out and checked things out after it sat overnight. There is oil coming from where the foot shifter enters the gearbox (help me with my terminology, please).

    There is also oil in the airbox and on the air filter. I have pictures but not sure exactly how to put them in the post. Any help with that?
     
  14. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    Add on: there is also oil coming from the seal between the carburetor and the rubber boots that go to airbox.

    MOTOR
     
  15. sushi_biker

    sushi_biker Member

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    You're over-full. Put the bike on the center stand on a level surface. Look at the sight-glass on the lower, right side of the crank case. Drain the excess oil until you just barely show an air bubble at the top of the sight glass.

    I wouldn't even ride it to the auto parts store until you get the level right.
     
  16. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    That is fair, but I can't see through the window at all. It is discolored and scraped.
     
  17. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Oil leak around shifter is the seal - same thing happened to me - Chacal has the seal and there are a few gaskets you should replace - this requires draining the oil too.

    Have tried using a light near the oil window? it can be hard to see but you should be able to tell unless the window is completely shot. Baring that drain the oil and add a measured amount. Oil in the airbox is for sure an overfill as has been noted.

    Be sure to replace your air filter and clean out the air box as best yo can. As an aside you can buy a compression meter for less than most places will do it for you. It is easy to do.

    Pictures - resize them to 500x500 pixels or less and if you hit preview you will see a place to attach them.
     
  18. pirok

    pirok Member

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    I think they are right, but when i started my bike after winter storage there was a lot of white smoke from both muflers, but it disappeared after a 100 km or so. Maybe the piston rings were loosening up. Air intake were dry, no oil anywhere.
    I have just done a compression test: 10 kg/cm2 +- 0,25. Motor 94000 km.
     
  19. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    Bill - Thanks so much. Will replace the seal, etc.

    My compression test revealed about 90-100 lbs psi (varying a bit from cylinder to cylinder). I was under the impression it should be higher. Any consensus?
     
  20. bill

    bill Active Member

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    That's pretty low. Spec is 150 I think. mine has over 42k miles and read about 145 across them all.

    Have you done valves? A wet test will tell you too. (add a SMALL bit of oil to the cylinder and repeat compression test) if it goes up the problem is probably rings.
     
  21. midnightblu

    midnightblu Member

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    10-30 synthetic? i hope you bought the stuff that is safe for motorcycle wet cluch. how manny qharts did you say you put in? from completly drained empty to top full i think your bike calls for 3.8 quarts .... i think you are waaaaaaay over full and i dont mean by the .2 quarts
     
  22. greggvickrey

    greggvickrey Member

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    When you did your cmpression check did you do it with wide open throttle? It will make a difference. If you didn't recheck at wot & if low try checking wet, also wto.
    Gregg
     

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