White smoke - engine block area from somewhere...

jakobgoodnessgracious

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Okay, so I got the ol' girl to an inspection and passed. But then I couldn't start her back up! Hahah! She was flooded. Either way, this was the first time I've rode her and got her as warm as she was I imagine. I started noticing (both times while idling) white smoke coming from some unknown place around the engine block. The right side seemed hotter than the left but that could be in my head. I have been looking up other examples here and google-wise but I haven't seen any yet that mention white smoke just from around the block. I don't know its origin though. I'm hoping I don't have to tear the engine open to fix it but eh... But I'm thinking maybe since it hasn't been running for an extended period of time till today it's rust or something clearing out? This is all new to me. Haven't encountered this before. Any ideas? I read that white smoke is oil though.... I checked my oil because I'm clueless and it looks good to me. Also, dumbass question, is it safe to ride like this if I do find out its just been sitting too long or something? I've ridden it around the block but never this long of a trip.

I checked the manual as well and so far haven't found my problem mentioned in troubleshooting.

:umm:.
Please relieve me of my dumbassery.
 
An oil leak dripping onto hot exhausts can create white smoke.
Excessive ring blow-by can produce white smoke out the crankcase vents.
Uncured engine paint can produce white smoke.


Time to put your Sherlock Holmes sleuthing skills to work...
 
Well I investigated it by riding it and seeing what happens. I should clean the damn crud off the engine. Seems like some oil gets heated up on the fins and when I've looked down while riding it is thin and floats on the fin. Either way I'm not worried about it. I shall ride forth for now with a somewhat better bike than the one I first bought. Thanks for making me do work and not be a lazy bitch 2M. Cheers!
 
Look up and DO a head stud retorque NOW! LOL. No guarantee but a lot of engines have tip toed by the graveyard with a retorque. Pay special attention to the 5mm back at the cam chain tensioner. Front valve covers and cam seals will leak oil that finds it's way onto the exhaust headers also. oil pipe threads and seals. Yes you gotta clean off the gunk from over the years to start the process.
 
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Great that it's back on the road! Clean it, then do a head stud re-torque, plenty of how to's on here. Valve cover o-rings, cam end seals, tensioner gaskets, and oil pipe seals can be culprits also.
 
I'm a big fan of kerosene, old paint brushes and toothbrushes to apply and scrub with.
 
Thanks guys! Been lazy. I think my first next task is to buy two new coils. Been dying on me still every once in a while. I keep the idle revs high with the throttle because I know to expect it now so that's probably why it's not so often any more. I changed the spark plugs and spark plug wires and it only happens after riding a while. I can't think of anything else that it would be. Touched the coils and they weren't hot though, can't remember if that is a sign. Anyhow besides that I haven't seen smoke any more. However there still is a little bit of oil that seems to be coming from the screw right below the spark plug. I don't know but maybe tightening that might help. Either way I am sure I will have to do a retorque eventually. I am dreading it though.
 
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Dont dread it, just do it. But if the head is that loose, your prolly gonna nead a head gasket, which leads to a tube of yamabond, tube of lapping paste, base gasket, feeler gauges, on and on .
You could try a retorque, but search here for the right procedure. Dont just go snugging them down. 30lbs isnt very tight. But the collective of the 8 makes it enuf.
 
Yeah I have a manual. I'm slow so I didn't find any info specific to my problem when I looked. Like I said probably just slow. So the circular cup that the points live in, is that what you mean? I see the oil on the right side though where the advance is.
 
Yes. In your case, advance housing. In most cases its the left side that leaks because the bike leans that way
 
You said you changed the plugs and wires but did you change the plug caps too? They can and do go bad.
 
Hmm yeah I replaced the caps as well. The engine is idling at maybe 13-1400 since it's been warmer weather. It doesn't hesitate or 'stutter' at idle till after it's warmed up.

Also I forgot to mention that I seem to be leaking oil from the two breather hoses. I looked it up on here and it may be I put in too much oil - went by standard amount and not updated amount.
 
I wouldn't go by a measured amount of oil, I'd go by the dipstick reading. When you drain the oil, you never get it all out. Those measured specs are for a completely dry motor. Put that much in and it will probably be too much.

Check your dipstick to see if it has been updated. It may be the older style with the level marks for the old higher oil capacity spec .....

 
Okay before I buy new coils and make a fool out of myself when I realize that's not the problem as you mentioned littlebill, is it possible that the engine is dying once it's warmed up because it is running rich?


An update on symptoms: When it changes its mind about running and gets warmer the engine will stutter on revving at lower revs while moving through gears. While it idles i'll watch my neutral light and when the light blanks out the engine stutters like it wants to die for a moment (unless it decides to actually die). I've noticed backfiring when engine braking on slowing down.
 
At what rpm is your bike idling?
Backfiring is due to a lean condition.
When you "crack" the throttle, does it hang for a second or two and then slowly drop back to idle?
 
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