White smoke!

flanker850 · Apr 5, 2012

Gentleman, Quick queation about the wet sump (or at least I think)! I redid the gearbox changes the clucth, brake and wiring harness. Re did the carb as well. When I start the bike I get lots of white smoke through both pipes. After riding a bit it goes away, but if i idle it comes back. I read some of the posts in here and it sounds like I may have too much oil in the tank, although I filed it to exact workshop book specs.... any ideas? Rob

swooshdave · Apr 5, 2012

flanker850 said:
Gentleman, Quick queation about the wet sump (or at least I think)! I redid the gearbox changes the clucth, brake and wiring harness. Re did the carb as well. When I start the bike I get lots of white smoke through both pipes. After riding a bit it goes away, but if i idle it comes back. I read some of the posts in here and it sounds like I may have too much oil in the tank, although I filed it to exact workshop book specs.... any ideas? Rob

On the dipstick, high line or lower line?

Hobot · Apr 5, 2012

Too much oil in oil tank, which is common novice error, only makes and over flow mess out tank vent, not engine smoking. I vote head gasket re-torque and maybe valve guildes or intake seals. Could be rings some too so might try some Bon Ami or non bleach cleaning powder in a sock to bump and dust at carb intake to help scrub and seat rings better/faster. Its ancient early 50's GMC/Chevy factory dealership trick for bad sealing ring batch. Could be a head crack but would expect smoke more at speed.

blacklav · Apr 5, 2012

I`m sure someone will correct me if ive got this wrong, but white smoke usually means oil is burning in the exhaust. Blue smoke = oil igniting in the cylinder.

Diablouph · Apr 5, 2012

I`m sure someone will correct me if ive got this wrong, but white smoke usually means oil is burning in the exhaust. Blue smoke = oil igniting in the cylinder.

Someone reply..............I want to know the answer to this too.

Guido · Apr 5, 2012

Doesn't white smoke mean we have a new Pope?

DogT · Apr 5, 2012

I'll reply, I don't know. Not sure about the Pope either. I do know how a bong works though, at least I though I used to until they started calling it dope which rhymes with pope. I didn't say that.

Dave
69S

303 fmj · Apr 5, 2012

White smoke out of tail pipe while running can also be due to extremely hot engine----like riding into a head wind for awhile trying to maintain speed. White smoke is the oil burning.

Diablouph · Apr 5, 2012

So let me see if I have this straight. White smoke if the rider is Catholic, and blue smoke is he is Protestant. Correct?

swooshdave · Apr 6, 2012

Diablouph said:
So let me see if I have this straight. White smoke if the rider is Catholic, and blue smoke is he is Protestant. Correct?

White smoke means you need a new bike, blue smoke means you're still thinking about it.

Diablouph · Apr 6, 2012

White smoke means you need a new bike, blue smoke means you're still thinking about it

I pray your right.

cjandme · Apr 6, 2012

Dogt aren't you talking about Cheech & Chong's, Up in smoke? LoL I would have thought blue smoke was blow-by, not sure about white smoke on an air cooled motor though, had a water jacket leak into the cylinder on an old V-8 and it made lots of white smoke. Cj

pete.v · Apr 6, 2012

cjandme said:
Dogt aren't you talking about Cheech & Chong's, Up in smoke? LoL I would have thought blue smoke was blow-by, not sure about white smoke on an air cooled motor though, had a water jacket leak into the cylinder on an old V-8 and it made lots of white smoke. Cj

Yes, that seem right to me also. Blue smoke oil, white smoke water.

If you run short cycles and do not allow to let the bike heat up, condensation will develope in the lines (white bobbledy goo).

Guido · Apr 6, 2012

ATF burns white too you know.
Not sure what I mean by that.Just though I'd mention it.

Diablouph · Apr 6, 2012

That's ok Guido, this thread is on a mission from God, and he will know.

flanker850 · Apr 6, 2012

This post has gone religious. I have no idea how the pope got involved! but i was hoping too much oil..... where should it be??? the lower line??? I put it closer to the top line. somehow oil is sitting when im idling or stopped. Can too much oil cause this???

Diablouph · Apr 6, 2012

I think that's too much, but do some research for oil posts. It seems that a Commando motor is like a baby. It needs food in it's stomach, but even a little too much and up it comes.

goo · Apr 6, 2012

Far Out!

Guido · Apr 7, 2012

What if the head drain holes are clogged up a bit.
I put my oil level at mid point on the stick. 6 pints or 5 imperial

Hobot · Apr 7, 2012

What if the head drain holes are clogged up a bit.

Then nil smoke from exhausts but oil leaks out the rocker box covers and rocker spindle covers. Also would see oil puddle on opening rocker covers. Oil pressure should shove oil down the lifter tunnels if intake drain blocked.

White smoke!

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