White Smoke

[49Reo]

Black smoke on a cold start is normal, as choking the bike richens the mixture; once warmed up and choke off, should be no black.

Sounds like you are getting it figured; as to the reed setup, it introduces o2 into the exhaust to aid in burn off any residual gasses in the exhaust; it causes light backfiring, or "popping" on deceleration as well. Go to the mods/tips section to see how to remove the reeds and associated equipment.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[aralph]

http://www.gadgetjq.com/rv_removal.htm

The first part of the thread explains what they are for.
And from what I've read it seems possible that if oil is getting in there you would get
blue smoke. Oil being burnt up in the exhaust.

regards aralph

[Mark]

Put Sea foam in bike and road it for three hours Saturday.  Bike does not smoke(or very little) while riding it.    Also I think the Sea foam was causing some smoke.  Started the bike in the garage last night and no smoke at all.  I let it warm up and hit the throttle and no smoke.  Went home for lunch today and started it and the smoke was back.  I ran my hand across the front valve cover gasket and had slight oil seeping from gasket where initially had a leak after backfiring.  It is near the valve asseembly reed inside the cover and gasket.  Could anyone explain what this valve reed does? and what it leads to.  If oil is getting in there could that lead to  small amounts of blue smoke coming out exhaust?

[49Reo]

Backfiring could be a hint here. How does the engine run? Strong? Does it sound like it as missing a bit on one cylinder? A serious backfire can bend a valve a bit, which could cause it to push against the guide. Which could cause a bit of oil to come into the combustion chamber. Also, does it tend to smoke more on acceleration or on deceleration? Try this: when you start the engine, watch your tailpipes for smoke. If it smokes on cold start-up, but clears in 20-30 seconds, it is indicative of valve guides. If it stays smoking, warm the engine up, then while in neutral standing beside the bike, from idle, rev it up slowly to about 1500-2000rpm and hold it there for 20-30 seconds. If it stays smoking, rev it from your holding point of 1500 rpm to about 3000rpm, fast. "Blip" it from 1500 to about 3000 rpm, if it smokes harder when you do that, it is likely the rings, meaning parts, and dollars. If it doesn't smoke when revved up, roll of the throttle fast; if you get a puff of smoke doing this, valve guide seals.

Unless you have a LOT of miles on it, or it was overheated, I cannot see how this engine could be in that bad of shape. I have seen 1500 Kaw engines with 150,000+ miles on them, still in great shape; evidence of attention to maintenance. I can only suspect that the 800's are as good, having little experience with them.

Let us know what you find out; good luck with it and don't throw in the towel just yet; even if it IS serious, there are engines available from wreckers.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[Mark]

I took the bike to two mechanics.  The first said he would have to tear it apart and didn't want the job but it would run about 2,000 minimum.  The second could not find or here anything wrong with the motor other than said it smelled like oil.  When I told him I have only ridden bike a few short times sice my backfiring incident.  He suggested going for a few good rides and keep an eye on the oil level.  I took it out yesterday and going out today agian for a ride.  He said it may be oil pushed in my exhaust.  I put som sea foam in the gas.  I am going to run that tank out and get fresh.  It seems to be running very good(not saying that all is solved).   

[pcarrell]

*Clearly Chief is a glutton for punishment!*

[chief]

Yep, there's a big difference in STEAM and smoke... You have a lot of good info here to help. I've had to do the DIY over time thing myself... sometimes its fun!

[Mark]

Thanks for the information.  Going to pick it up Thursday.  I will keep posting

[Troll]

A little white smoke (water vapor) on start up is quite normal, especially as the weather cools off. Burning anti freeze has a very distinct smell, quite different from normal exhaust...catch a little with your hand and smell it. Oil smoke is heavy and blue, and also has a distinct different smell. Are you going through any oil? It's possible that the valve seals are failing in your cylinder heads, and the puff of smoke you see is a little oil that ran down the guides into the combustion chamber. This is an 800...You said you put the head gasket back in the groove...you must mean the valve cover gasket...It's also possible, with the electrical issue you had that some oil from the catch can has found it's way into the intake...

[49Reo]

If it is oil, you should see some serious blackish build up in your pipes; if water enough to be white out the exhaust, should be some wetness in the tips as well. Is your coolant level dropping? Is the bike using oil? Pull your plugs and "read" them;the color and deposits on the spark plugs can tell you a lot. While plugs are out, crank the engine over and see if any moisture blows out; do a compression test too; don't throw in the towel yet. If you have to rebuild the engine, buy a Kawasaki Service Manual and, like Chief says, tear it down, see what is needed for parts, buy them as you can and put it back together yourself. You can take your heads to a cylinder head shop for valve/seat grind, jugs to a rebuilder for honing/reaming, crank to a rebuild shop for grinding if needed, etc. Lots of options before selling, even looking for an engine from a wrecked bike.

Good luck on it and keep us posted.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[chief]

I'd get another opinion. Get a explanation of what the problem is. Get manuals, do research, get parts over time, and do the repair myself. You can't really hurt it at this point.

Or, if you don't wanna spend the time and effort.... sell it as is... ensuring the buyer knows the score. It will sell cheap, unfortunately. You might want to sell here.

I'm really sorry for your troubles. VDR might be interested in buying it for a project bike.

[jmbo]

Burning oil?  How many mile do you have on your 800. These motor don't typically burn oil due to wear but if you have a bad head gasket, yes water could be getting into your combustion chamber but so could oil. I'd seriously seek out a second opinion before I'd consider scrapping the bike.

[Mark]

Bad news,  my mechanic says it smells like burning oil.  Says it is going to take a few grand to fix.  Can't afford the bill.  Any idea's what to do with this bike?  What is it worth for parts?

[pcarrell]

Further riding could result in warped heads.......BAD NEWS!

You don't want to go there!

[49Reo]

I have to agree with pcarrell; white smoke is usually water/anti-freeze. You need to do some major maintenance ASAP or you will have even more repairs to do. I would not ride it any farther until the repairs outlined by pcarrell are done.

Good luck and keep us posted;

Regards and such,
49Reo

[pcarrell]

White smoke in the exhaust is probably water/radiator fluid getting into the combustion chamber.  That head gasket is toast I'd say.  I'll bet your radiator is low too.  Time to change the gasket, oil and filter, and flush the radiator is your best bet.  I'd 'bout lay money on it......seen it in cars too many times!

[Mark]

Here is the story.  Need some opinions.  The drifter and I where out on a Saturday night when she started backfiring and cutting out.  Had to ride her acrossed a bridge to get out of traffic and ended up in the ghetto.  Pushed the bike about three miles to get her our of harms way.  I then ran to Walmart  got a new battery after exausting the bike bike battery.  When I took the the seat off I noticed the negative wire was loose.  Causing the whole problem.  Got the bike home and noticed oil coming out of the front head gasket.  ( Gasket was bulging out in front).  I took the top head  cover off and adjusted the gasket back to normal. I have road it very little since this happened.  On my first time out since then I am having some white smoke coming out of the exhaust(not a lot) until she heats up.  I am thinking of changing the oil tomorrow to look for water.  Any other suggestions?

God bless the Drifters!