White smoke in the mornings?

[placidfemme]

Hi all

This is proberly a dumb question, but when I start my ZXR250C up in the mornings, it pumps out white smoke from the exhaust. At first I thought it was steam, but it has a strongish smell, and I was wondering if that was normal?

Also when I went on the Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE course one of the instructors asked me if my ZXR was a 2 stroke... and I said "No, why?" and he said "because it's smoking and usually only 2 strokes do that".

So judging by that, it doesn't only smoke in the mornings, but thats the only time I see it, and they seem to think it's not normal...

If its not normal what can I check or do to fix it?

Thanks in advance

[Jonty]

Hi all

This is proberly a dumb question, but when I start my ZXR250C up in the mornings, it pumps out white smoke from the exhaust. At first I thought it was steam, but it has a strongish smell, and I was wondering if that was normal?

Also when I went on the Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE course one of the instructors asked me if my ZXR was a 2 stroke... and I said "No, why?" and he said "because it's smoking and usually only 2 strokes do that".

So judging by that, it doesn't only smoke in the mornings, but thats the only time I see it, and they seem to think it's not normal...

If its not normal what can I check or do to fix it?

Thanks in advance

You could try quit line :whistle:

[Motu]

And it's not a diesel either I presume,like a 2 stroke they often have white smoke when cold.If you are sure it oil and not steam - oil will smell like oil,a cold engine also has a strong smell as it is running rich and very poorly with incomplete combustion - then it is possibly running down an inlet valve guide or just from the rings.

[Paul in NZ]

Maybe it just elected a new Pope?

[bugjuice]

smoke, and not just 'steam' cos it's so cold...?? Does it go away when the bike warms up? And it's not the same as you see other bikes and cars? Stick your hand in the smoke and see if it feels wet..
Else might have the choke on too rich..? But that wouldn't be white..

[vifferman]

Yeah, what Motu said: it is mostly steam, but smells because when you start it up, it's running on choke. Plus our fuel has lots of xylene and toluene in it, so exhaust emissions are smelly anyway, more so when the engine's cold.

But if the instructor said your bike was smoking, it may need some work done. However, if it's not using much oil, and not fouling sparkplugs, I wouldn't worry about it too much yet.

[placidfemme]

Thank you everyone... Yes my bike is the new pope! Pope ZXR the 1st! lol

I only ever notice the smoke in the mornings when I start her up (using the choke otherwise I'd have to wait until like 10am before it's warm enough to start without the choke). I'll be taking the ZXR into the shop soon (once I know if I have to fork out any $$ to get Sams bike fixed), to get the chain adjusted (instructor at Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE said it was too loose or too tight... I don't remember now lol... but then again I'm not sure if I trust what this particular instructor said... as he told another biker on her Learners, that she cannot legally ride her bike on the motorway with a "L" plate... LOL dumb ass)

So when I take the ZXR in I'll ask them to check for me :)

Thanks again
From the rider of Your wonderfully newly ellected smoking Pope!

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks again
From the rider of Your wonderfully newly ellected smoking Pope!

Hey... Don't get too carried away. It's more likely your bike is just a common old cardinal voting for the Pope...

[placidfemme]

Hey... Don't get too carried away. It's more likely your bike is just a common old cardinal voting for the Pope...

Damnit lol... I already organised the white doves to shit on it

[cheetor]

Sounds like a head gasket to me, ZXR250s are notorious for it especialy at every 20,000K, if its a thick white smoke it'll be the head gasket, Antifreeze gives the thick white smoke
if its a blueish smoke, then its oil, in chich case you're probably in for a rebuild

[placidfemme]

Sounds like a head gasket to me, ZXR250s are notorious for it especialy at every 20,000K, if its a thick white smoke it'll be the head gasket, Antifreeze gives the thick white smoke
if its a blueish smoke, then its oil, in chich case you're probably in for a rebuild

It's white smoke... not blueish...

*needs to drink anti-freeze in the mornings its so damn cold... glad I don't live further south*

[crashe]

placidfemme... "your popeness"

Whip the bike over to Frosty, while he is at work...
He works over your side of the bridge.
He maybe able to tell you or help you out...

[cheetor]

Looks like you have a blown headgasket then, lucky that not anywhere near as expensive as a rebuild :D

[placidfemme]

*doesn't want to have a blown head gasket*

How much do they cost to fix/replace? And if it is a blown head gasket... can I still ride it until I get it fixed? *rides to work everyday*

hehe... your popeness :)

[Ixion]

Looks like you have a blown headgasket then, lucky that not anywhere near as expensive as a rebuild :D

If it's a head gasket on a water cooled engine you should see the water level in the resevoir drop slowly. A compression test shuld confirm it.

Is this related to the white smoke on stopping that you reported earlier I wonder ?

Show it to a wrench, they'll be able to tell

EDIT And if it is needs to be looked at ASAP before the head warps or cracks

[placidfemme]

If it's a head gasket on a water cooled engine you should see the water level in the resevoir drop slowly. A compression test shuld confirm it.

Is this related to the white smoke on stopping that you reported earlier I wonder ?

Show it to a wrench, they'll be able to tell

EDIT And if it is needs to be looked at ASAP before the head warps or cracks

No this smoke is not related to the front end smoke... I actually have only seen the front end smoke twice since I had my speedo cable replaced :)

[ajturbo]

sorry about your up coming loss... what bike will you buying next?

sell it, i will take the poor old thing off your hands, i will offer you the huge sum of around $50. for that broken down rat bike.... but ONLY if you fill the tank..with petrol!! otherwise... for get it!! :devil2:

[Motu]

Duh,showing my age - even though I now own one,I just can't think of motorcycles being watercooled,such an unneccessary way to complicate a simple machine.But yes,a leaking head gasket will give white steam in the mornings,and the coolant will make it more so,verging on smoke.But you will also get a loss of coolant from radiator - not expansion tank,as it will suck air in,not coolant.Could also be hard to start with a cyl out and rough running.

[placidfemme]

sorry about your up coming loss... what bike will you buying next?

sell it, i will take the poor old thing off your hands, i will offer you the huge sum of around $50. for that broken down rat bike.... but ONLY if you fill the tank..with petrol!! otherwise... for get it!! :devil2:

lol My after market pipe is worth $800 on its own... I could strip it and sell the parts and get more :ride:

Motu: It doesn't really run rough, still purrs like a kitten, just a pain to start in the morning, if you don't pull the choke at just the right time she floods and it's game over for about 20 minutes :(

[WINJA]

BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE IS DONT ADD ANY WYNNS RADIATOR STOP LEAK OR OIL ADDITIVES , GET A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT, RED BARONS ARE OK

[Paul in NZ]

Hmm.. smokes and a potentially blown head. Probably NOT a Pope then. Bill Clinton perhaps?

[placidfemme]

Hmm.. smokes and a potentially blown head. Probably NOT a Pope then. Bill Clinton perhaps?

I OBJECT! I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THAT WOMAN... but I did with all the staff members at the white house... :nono:

[Paul in NZ]

I OBJECT! I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THAT WOMAN... but I did with all the staff members at the white house... :nono:

I read your lips

[scumdog]

I read your lips

No you didn't, she was wearing one of those Camel Toe devices :rofl: :rofl: :whistle:

[XTC]

Hard to start in the mornings.... 20 minute wait before it'll start. Get your valve clearances checked. Mate had a GPZ900 with those symptoms. Would fire up first time no probs but if you let it stop it wouldn't want to start again for 10-20 minutes.

[placidfemme]

Hard to start in the mornings.... 20 minute wait before it'll start. Get your valve clearances checked. Mate had a GPZ900 with those symptoms. Would fire up first time no probs but if you let it stop it wouldn't want to start again for 10-20 minutes.

Yeah, it's happened to me a few times... really made me angry :mad:

If it cuts out before it's really warm, or if you don't give it choke in time... or again too much choke... it won't start... normal flooding only takes about 3-5 minutes before you can start again... with this it takes ages... try in 5 minutes... no luck... try in 10 minutes... no luck... try in 15 minutes... catches for 2 seconds... dies... no luck... try in 20 minutes... catches... if it doesn't catch... curse... moan... walk away from bike before you kick it lol

[XTC]

Yeah, it's happened to me a few times... really made me angry :mad:

If it cuts out before it's really warm, or if you don't give it choke in time... or again too much choke... it won't start... normal flooding only takes about 3-5 minutes before you can start again... with this it takes ages... try in 5 minutes... no luck... try in 10 minutes... no luck... try in 15 minutes... catches for 2 seconds... dies... no luck... try in 20 minutes... catches... if it doesn't catch... curse... moan... walk away from bike before you kick it lol
Get your valve clearances checked... that may cure your problem.

[Paul in NZ]

No you didn't, she was wearing one of those Camel Toe devices :rofl: :rofl: :whistle:

You really are a crack up

[placidfemme]

Get your valve clearances checked... that may cure your problem.

Sweet, well Vifferman has kindly offered to have a look at my bike tonight... so I'll ask him if he can show me how to check that... if it's not too hard :)

[placidfemme]

Just an update:

Went and saw Vifferman last night, and he kindly had a look at a few things on my bike. He also adjusted my chain for me, and in the space of 2 hours I learnt more regarding my bike then I have in the last 3 weeks.

I now know where to add in the coolant when I need to, I also found out that I have braided brake lines (yay!) and a few other interesting things :)

There is nothing wrong with the engine on my bike... it's not damaged and won't be clonking out on me just yet (double yay!) :)

So thank you very much Vifferman :)

[vifferman]

So thank you very much Vifferman :)
You're very welcome! It seemed silly for you to go and pay someone to check things out when there was a fair chance there was nothing wrong with it.

And for all the people with kind suggestions like "it's a blown head gasket", and "the valve clearances need checking" - you're WRONG!
As placidfemme said, there's nowt wrong widdit. The bike had a full service a few months ago, so the valve clearances are fine, and there's no evidence at all of anything wrong with the head gasket.

It's actually a very nice little bike, and it looks as though placidfemme has done a very creditable job of looking after it. :yes:

[placidfemme]

Thank you :)

It's a bit dirty from all the shitty weather we've been having though :P

[XTC]

You're very welcome! It seemed silly for you to go and pay someone to check things out when there was a fair chance there was nothing wrong with it.

And for all the people with kind suggestions like "it's a blown head gasket", and "the valve clearances need checking" - you're WRONG!
As placidfemme said, there's nowt wrong widdit. The bike had a full service a few months ago, so the valve clearances are fine, and there's no evidence at all of anything wrong with the head gasket.

It's actually a very nice little bike, and it looks as though placidfemme has done a very creditable job of looking after it. :yes:
So you sorted the starting problem then?? Was it technique?

[TygerTung]

White smoke is usually condensation in the exhaust...

You can tell a blown head gasket, I've had plenty on my cages.... Bubbling radiator when running, losing water, cooling system getting pressurised, honey coming out of crankcase breather(it's not really honey, don't eat it),

[Odin]

Thank you :)

It's a bit dirty from all the shitty weather we've been having though :P

I have no problem with a girl on a dirty bike ....... (Or was that a dirty girl on a bike :whistle: )

[Ixion]

Hm. Hm. Sod the shepherds and sailors, we can do better

"White smoke in the morning, bikers take warning"
"Sweet smelling smoke at night, bikers delight"

Rather clever I thought :yes:

[placidfemme]

"White smoke in the morning, bikers take warning"
"Sweet smelling smoke at night, bikers delight"

:ride: That is good :)

[Flyingpony]

White smoke is usually condensation in the exhaust...

You can tell a blown head gasket, I've had plenty on my cages.... Bubbling radiator when running, losing water, cooling system getting pressurised, honey coming out of crankcase breather(it's not really honey, don't eat it),
If you're on a long distant trip, your previously healthy engine will suddenly start to seriously stutter, lose all power and might even stall. If the radiator water level looks low and your oil is a creamy pale colour (not black), call for a tow truck.

If you continue to drive, eventually the engine will make a fatal almighty gargling cough and fart, blowing honey liquid out every single breather hole possible - including back out the exhaust and air intakes. Yummy.

My sister had her healthy '82 Subaru suddenly start stuttering, lose power and even stall couples time on a country drive. The nearest country mechanic she sought help from, topped up the radiator and honey coloured oil, and then sent her on her way. 100km and a couple tyre rotations later in a city petrol station, gargle said the engine. Motor was stuffed.

Any way, the honey liquid is excellent stuff for cleaning oil/grease off hands.

I'm happy my bike is air-cooled, one thing less to go wrong.

[placidfemme]

I'm happy my bike is air-cooled, one thing less to go wrong.

thats right... those lil FXR's are actually really good bikes (my first bike... now my partners bike). Never had any problems with the FXR (other than cagers driving into it).

People take the piss and make out like they're crap just because they are 150's. I go through twice (if not more) as much gas on my 250 as Sam does on her FXR... and she only has to travel an extra 3 minutes up the road to get to work than I do...

[FROSTY]

PF --I had a bike a bit like yours awhile back--using normal stratup it was just a piglet. The old owner said--ohh yea with that one ya use HALF choke in the morning or shes a bugger to start --mebee thats ya problem
Also of course as Ive found with a lot of motorbikes--they need to be scared of you not visa versa --then they dont dare not start

[placidfemme]

PF --I had a bike a bit like yours awhile back--using normal stratup it was just a piglet. The old owner said--ohh yea with that one ya use HALF choke in the morning or shes a bugger to start --mebee thats ya problem
Also of course as Ive found with a lot of motorbikes--they need to be scared of you not visa versa --then they dont dare not start

lol my bikes not scared of me... it's lazy and it knows that if it doesn't start I'll leave it at home and then it doesn't have to do anything... wait thats Sam... no thats the bike lol

Seriously though... thanks for the advice :)

[mini_me]

Hi all

This is proberly a dumb question, but when I start my ZXR250C up in the mornings, it pumps out white smoke from the exhaust. At first I thought it was steam, but it has a strongish smell, and I was wondering if that was normal?

Also when I went on the Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE course one of the instructors asked me if my ZXR was a 2 stroke... and I said "No, why?" and he said "because it's smoking and usually only 2 strokes do that".

So judging by that, it doesn't only smoke in the mornings, but thats the only time I see it, and they seem to think it's not normal...

If its not normal what can I check or do to fix it?

Thanks in advance

sorry to dredge up this old post, but on saturday when i was riding behind you i was watching for blue smoke from your bike, and am pleased to tell you that its not blowing any at all
how many k's has your bike done?
mini_me

edit: i see viffer beat me to it... braided lines eh? - allways toyed with the idea of putting those on my zxr but i never got round to it...

[placidfemme]

sorry to dredge up this old post, but on saturday when i was riding behind you i was watching for blue smoke from your bike, and am pleased to tell you that its not blowing any at all
how many k's has your bike done?
mini_me

edit: i see viffer beat me to it... braided lines eh? - allways toyed with the idea of putting those on my zxr but i never got round to it...

*doesn't know*

I think it's between 30000 and 40000, I'll have a look tonight.

Thanks for noticing that it's not smoking or doing anything it shouldn't be doing :)

Yeah the braided lines were on the bike when I brought it (Along with everything else other than the LED light under the seat). lol I didn't even know I had braided lines until Vifferman pointed it out to me... lol then again I didn't even know I had the Rev Limiter until the WOF guy pointed it out to me...

WOF Guy: "Oh you have a Rev Limiter"
Me: *agreeable nod of head* "Um... Yeah"

lol I'll post here again tomorrow with my k's

[John]

WOF Guy: "Oh you have a Rev Limiter"
Me: *agreeable nod of head* "Um... Yeah"

What is it exactly is it? Is it an adjustable limiter (you can adjust the rev limiter)? or a "derestricter" (allows you to go faster than 195) - because we all need a rev limiter, its what saves mr valve from having dinner with mr piston :no:

So do your braided lines pass the WOF ok? I have being throwing the idea of them around, I just dont like the reliability issues they have..

[placidfemme]

What is it exactly is it? Is it an adjustable limiter (you can adjust the rev limiter)? or a "derestricter" (allows you to go faster than 195) - because we all need a rev limiter, its what saves mr valve from having dinner with mr piston :no:

So do your braided lines pass the WOF ok? I have being throwing the idea of them around, I just dont like the reliability issues they have..

I don't know what my Rev Limiter does... lol It's just a little black box with nice red bits on it just infront of my handlebars... and it says "Rev Limiter" on it... I thought it was normal to have that and so I never noticed it until the WOF pointed it out... then I thought "If he's pointed it out then it must be an extra add on".

Yeah I've had 2 WOF's with this bike, and it's passed both times with the braided lines... It was also pointed out to me on the Sunday ride that I have racing foot pegs and not road pegs (they are straight and don't fold up). I was told those weer illegal on road bikes... but again... it's passed the WOF twice with them on there :)

*might just be real lucky*

OR....

The guys at Reb Baron know me so well they think "Hell just pass it otherwise she'll be here for hours talking to us" LOL. They know my voice over the phone so well I just have to say "Hi can I talk to...." and they're like "Hello Tam, hows the bike?" lol go me!