White smoke

**mudlark** · #1 14 Nov 2002

My 4PT is blowing a lot of white smoke while warming up with choke. The mechanic I used recently said it was condensation. If so that's a heck of a lot of steam.

**GeoffE** · #2 14 Nov 2002

I wonder? I fitted a new air filter and used too much oil on it (and not the recommended oil). It smoked white for weeks, each time for about 2-5 minutes after start-up.

I originally thought oil was weeping past the piston rings while the bike was standing overnight, but it eventually went away for good.

Could it be the same? Have you just serviced/oiled your air filter?

**POB/London** · #3 14 Nov 2002

It's condensation.

Mine also started smoking on warm-up.
Just as the weather got cold!

Your breath causes a bit of steam, but the exhaust gasses are a lot hotter so they produce a lot more, but same process.

As the exhaust system warms up the problem goes away...

Unless there's something seriously wrong with our engines. Thanks for starting that paranoia, Geoff!

I always ride it as if it's about to break anyway!

**GeoffE** · #4 15 Nov 2002

Ah....... apologies, I didn't mean to scare you'll. I should add that my "smoking" was in the summer and that my bike is off the road (ref. earlier Exhaust post) now this damp colder period is here.

Is the XT range/this style of bike more susceptible to condensation? I guess with a high exhaust exit any "smoking" would be more noticable than other road bikes with a lower exit?

**POB/London** · #5 15 Nov 2002

All bikes and cars do it when they start up, I think. I was following a Fazer today and he was puffing slightly. Half a mile down the road and it cleared up.

You can tell when cars have just started up in the same way, possibly to give them a wider berth 1st thing in the morning... And you can tell when TV producers are being sloppy, when someone is suposed to have been on a long drive / in a chase, and they pull up with the exhaust going, proving the car has JUST been started... Grrr.

Perhaps I just have too much time on my hands, to notice!

**Geoff van de Merwe** · #6 15 Nov 2002

I had a look this morning, but no smoke.
Then again it wasn't that cold this morning.

Then only time I've seen my bike smoke white/greyish is when I've flooded the engine just before getting it started, then it smokes for about 15/20 secs.

I know very little about exhausts, but do you think it may have something to do with the type of exhaust you have on the bike?
Mine has got an Arrow Exhaust on which maybe warms up quicker/is made of a slightly different alloy which may reduce condensation?

Geoff