1971 engine : a lot of white smoke from exhaust and breather pipe

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You must have ethanol in your petrol, EU directives make it compulsory, I know Italy has a reputation for seeing the EU directives as optional but on this one I would have thought you had no choice.
 
You must have ethanol in your petrol, EU directives make it compulsory, I know Italy has a reputation for seeing the EU directives as optional but on this one I would have thought you had no choice.

We dont have ethanol fuel.
In Germany and France and other european countries have E10.
EU directive is not for now but for 2020.
We in Italy are usually to respect all the laws.
About our reputation do not forget that we are a small country that is the seventh industrial country in the world.
And we have the 80% of the historical and cultural world's heritage.
Sorry, but you have a distorted view of italian people.
About EU law, dont warry, is not your problem, you are not in EU anymore.
Ciao.
Piero
 
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Hi Piero,
You have numerous bikes. Maybe you should tell us how long these particular bikes were parked before ridden again this weekend? Your observation could indeed be a condensation matter. As for your question as to source of water, it is the combustion of fuel itself plus humidity in the air. Petrol consists of short chains of hydrocarbons. Hydrogen oxidises with O2 (air) into H2O (water). However, it sounds unlikely that the amount is enough to produce white smoke after 60 km, but maybe ..... You should drive the bikes thoroughly warm - please observe your oil level frequently - and do a compression check on all cylinders to eliminate oil contamination by a mechanical fault. I have a big diesel engine (Volvo Penta) producing white smoke caused by an oil leak at one of the valve guides. On a diesel engine you can smell the source - the oxidation creates a sour emission gas.

I just read an article about incomplete combustion. Maybe the engines are being fed too much fuel which does not combust entirely? An emission analysis of the remainder of carbon monoxide will uncover any faults. Maybe carbs are out of tune or clogged up (float chamber?) by deposits caused by being parked for a long time? Just an idea.

-Knut
 
Last edited:
We dont have ethanol fuel.
In Germany and France and other european countries have E10.
EU directive is not for now but for 2020.
We in Italy are usually to respect all the laws.
About our reputation do not forget that we are a small country that is the seventh industrial country in the world.
And we have the 80% of the historical and cultural world's heritage.
Sorry, but you have a distorted view of italian people.
About EU law, dont warry, is not your problem, you are not in EU anymore.
Ciao.
Piero
Blimey all that from one comment I don't think it was meant the way you have taken it
 
In Italy, white smoke means new pope, is'nt it ?
Sorry, I could not resist, just joking.
 
Blimey all that from one comment I don't think it was meant the way you have taken it
Agree with previous posts. Need more information. How long bikes were sitting and then how long (distance or time) they were ridden? Can't speak to triple, but without more knowledge, with the Norton could be as simple as wet sump oil.
 
Pierodn, there was a ;) that got missed from my post as this forum does not recognise Google ;) , it was in jest not serious.
 
Someone put sugar in the fuel tanks of both bikes. Started After a decent ride; white smoke on one bike on one cylinder, the other bike on both cylinders. White smoke out of the engine breather. I know sugar will coke up the combustion chamber but maybe “it began” hanging up a few rings.

More details would be helpful. Spark plug inspection and compression check would go a long way here.
 
Hi Piero,
You have numerous bikes. Maybe you should tell us how long these particular bikes were parked before ridden again this weekend? Your observation could indeed be a condensation matter. As for your question as to source of water, it is the combustion of fuel itself plus humidity in the air. Petrol consists of short chains of hydrocarbons. Hydrogen oxidises with O2 (air) into H2O (water). However, it sounds unlikely that the amount is enough to produce white smoke after 60 km, but maybe ..... You should drive the bikes thoroughly warm - please observe your oil level frequently - and do a compression check on all cylinders to eliminate oil contamination by a mechanical fault. I have a big diesel engine (Volvo Penta) producing white smoke caused by an oil leak at one of the valve guides. On a diesel engine you can smell the source - the oxidation creates a sour emission gas.

I just read an article about incomplete combustion. Maybe the engines are being fed too much fuel which does not combust entirely? An emission analysis of the remainder of carbon monoxide will uncover any faults. Maybe carbs are out of tune or clogged up (float chamber?) by deposits caused by being parked for a long time? Just an idea.

-Knut

Hi Knut.
The bikes was not parked from much time and i cannot understand it happens after 60 km. done.
I understand a valve oil leak but not that the white smoke go out from oil tank pipe breather like it were a silencer!!!
Thanks for your answer.
Piero
 
In Italy, white smoke means new pope, is'nt it ?
Sorry, I could not resist, just joking.

Hi.
The Pope is the Chief of the "Papal State" (also named Vatican City) and of the Christian Church.
We have the President of the italian republic that we vote.
You dont need to vote for, you have the King Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand van Oranje-Nassau.
Sorry, our Republic President is only the common fellow Sergio Mattarella.
For a complete information, the italian constitution

provides for the freedom of religion.
Piero
 
Agree with previous posts. Need more information. How long bikes were sitting and then how long (distance or time) they were ridden? Can't speak to triple, but without more knowledge, with the Norton could be as simple as wet sump oil.

Ciao
I would be very happy it is a wet sump oil.
Bikes was parked the same time of my P11, 70 S and Atlas.
All these bikes started together (with my friends) but only the 71 fastback and the 72 R3 began to smoke after 60 km. first and after 100 km. thevsecond.
But why from only the right exhaust and why the oil tank breater pipe seemed a silencer?
Thank you.
Piero
 
Someone put sugar in the fuel tanks of both bikes. Started After a decent ride; white smoke on one bike on one cylinder, the other bike on both cylinders. White smoke out of the engine breather. I know sugar will coke up the combustion chamber but maybe “it began” hanging up a few rings.

More details would be helpful. Spark plug inspection and compression check would go a long way here.

Ciao.
I understand but i dont agree about sugar, not possible.
Thank you.
Piero
 
The oil drain hole from the intake rocker box is on the right side. Perhaps the head gasket is allowing oil into the cylinder on the intake stroke. Just a thought.
Pete
 
your petrol has not been contaminated with fuel oil ? did you fill the bikes up out of a can?
 
What Deets55 said. Blown head gasket probably blowing through to the pushrod tunnel. Check plug for oil and check compression.

Hi.
Compression, with engine not started before is:
First check
105 on the right;
150 on the left.
Second ceck
Always 150 on the left
Nothing on the right!!!!!!
Piero
 
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