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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #16  
Old 6 Nov 2012
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Originally Posted by paulxt600 View Post
Just bought a high mileage 2003 XT600E with 32,000 miles it runs very well with a very quiet engine, very pleased in general however when starting from stone cold after no use for a few days it smokes for a few seconds as it warms up. It is smoke not water vapour, there is a strong smell of burning oil until it warms up then there is no trace of smoke or smell. It pulls well sounds sweet and the oil level hasn't dropped in 100 miles. The oil level was / is just above maximum mark on the dip stick. There is no history with the bike, my next job this weekend is to change the oil and filter, I have a new K&N performance oil filter and new Castrol high performance SEA 10/40W oil. I'm guessing it could be valve stem oil seals which could be letting it the oil by, are they easy to change, is it an engine out job? Any thoughts guys.
Classic symptoms of dodgy valve stem seals. My 88 bike was exactly the same. From cold, 10 seconds of smoke then no smoke at all and very little oil usage. Depending on your level of competance with the spanners, a relatively easy fix. no need to take the engine out, but you will need a valve spring compressor.
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  #17  
Old 6 Nov 2012
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Thanks for the advice, I'm glad I'm not alone with reading the oil levels, yes I do intend to get out there and enjoy trouble free ridding, the bike is new to me I intend to keep it so just making sure all is well.
Thanks again
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  #18  
Old 6 Nov 2012
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Thanks Timus I'll see what happens after a few more rides, yes I do have a good workshop
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  #19  
Old 6 Nov 2012
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I thought you said it was high mileage ???? PAH !!

anyway.

Smoke on start up is most likely stem seals.

If it smoked all the time I'd be thinking it was the rings.

Done a compression test ??
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  #20  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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More likely to be oil draining down into the sump overnight, once the engine is started it's then pumped back to the tank....
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  #21  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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What, you think that is causing the smoking on start up?

Surely if there was a way for oil to get up past the rings it would smoke all the time?
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  #22  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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Originally Posted by Timus View Post
What, you think that is causing the smoking on start up?

Surely if there was a way for oil to get up past the rings it would smoke all the time?
usually....

But, the rings and piston do expand a little when they're hot.

I'm still going to valve seals.

It's an easy job on this engine too. It's the first logical thing to try.
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  #23  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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Valve stem seals shouldnt be bad after such "short" time. It sounds a lot like a classic overfilled bike, which you seem to have veryfied yourself. Poor in the right amount of ail, drain/clean the airfilterbox and see if that doesnt help, if not, take it from there.

I cant read a full oillevel when my oil is 60C, especially not with theese cold temps, a good run on the highway usually does it. I've had my bike for around 4 years, and have driven around 65.000km on it, and everytime I try to top of the oil 'cause it seems low, I end up overfilling it. They are a PITA tocheck the oil on, mine doesnt use any, but with 116.000km on it I get nervous and check it often, but usually it reads low, eventho' the correct amount of oil is in it.
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  #24  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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I had an 87 XT600...

It did EXACTLY the same thing when I bought it.

Depending on how the valves rested when I turned off the engine, occasionally oil would weep through the seal and into the cylinder. Some days it didn't do it as the valve was completely shut (lucky).

I changed the seals and it sorted it....

You've only got four valves in there and the seals aren't too expensive. It's a simple job. And at that mileage it should be something you should of been considering changing anyway.



If it was the rings, it would most likely be smoking all the time. If it was overfilled, the crankcase breather (if you have one) may be spitting oil.
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  #25  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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I agree with Ted.
My 88 bike did the same thing, til I changed the valve stem seals.

Never had any issues with oil level.
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  #26  
Old 30 Nov 2012
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It's definitely hard to get a consistent oil level reading, more so when draining/refilling. Each bike seems to be different, but for mine I get a consistent reading by

1. Ride until fully warmed up, at least 10 minutes
2. Let it idle for 10 sec or so
3. Wait about 3-4 minutes for the oil to settle
4. Check level with bike upright

This is most easily done when stopping for fuel. Fill the bike, go and pay, and check the oil level when you get back. I keep a bit of kitchen roll handy somewhere for wiping the dipstick.

Until I learned to trust this method, I have previously drained out around 3 litres and then refilled with a whole 4 litre can, and still had nothing on the dipstick. Of course, it all went in the airbox until I drained it out and started again.

With the above method, I have had a completely consistent reading for the last 15k miles - it drops about 5mm between oil changes. I'm happy with that.
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