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81 XJ550 maxim - white/blue smoke out of pipes

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by MJCXJ550, Jan 20, 2018.

  1. MJCXJ550

    MJCXJ550 New Member

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    Bike sat for years and I just got the carbs totally rebuilt including throttle shaft seales, fuel inlet T & connector tube seals. It runs good now but getting white exhaust at the end of the pipes and then turns to blue exhaust like it is burning oil. Just drained the oil and it smelled like there might be gas in it. The magnetic tip on the drain plug had some fine metal on it but not much. Letting it drain really good and then will put fresh oil in.
    What do you think the smoke is from- gas in the oil, rings/cylinder bad, lifters needing reset??
    It didn’t burn oil before and it only has 6600 miles on it.
     
  2. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    white would be moisture in the exhust.Blue, oil could be leaking on the valve seals or head gasket.
    rings could be stuck may free up or you may need to treat it with acetone/atf mixture for a few days.
    Do a compression test
    was it old oil to start with?
     
  3. MJCXJ550

    MJCXJ550 New Member

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    The oil was changed before it was stored so it had been in there for several years. I will check compression.
     
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    +1 on it being stuck rings, or hardened valve guide seals. Since it starts, just run it for now, and keep an eye on oil consumption. The rings should free up. If not, then do a soak with a tablespoon or two of a 50/50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid down the spark plug holes.
     
    hogfiddles likes this.
  5. MJCXJ550

    MJCXJ550 New Member

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    Compression is #1-118, #2-110, #3-116, #4-118
     
  6. Xjrider92117

    Xjrider92117 Active Member

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    Did you check the fuel levels after the carbs were rebuilt?
     
  7. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    spec
    Minimum: 100 psi
    Standard: 121 psi
    Maximum: 135 psi
    Max. variance between lowest and highest: 14 psi

    so your numbers are good
    also time to check your valve clearances. comp may improve if you need to change shims

    look to see if your spark plugs have oil on them
     
  8. MJCXJ550

    MJCXJ550 New Member

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    Plug 1&2 were tan and 3&4 was black/wet looking.
    I will move on to the valve clearances now.
     
  9. MJCXJ550

    MJCXJ550 New Member

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    I set them to dry height specs.
     
  10. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    this is how to set and check fuel levels

    Setting the fuel levels

    3&4 black and wet may be oil post a photo of them
     

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