XT600E smoking on cold startup
 

Hi, newbie here.
Just bought a 1991 XT600E, showing 44000km, Italian import.
I havent had it a week yet, it runs fine, but smokes on startup for about 20-30 seconds.
Its white smoke, i assume oil, and only does it from from cold.
I havent had it long enough to comment on oil consumption.
Could it be the valve stem seals, or something really simple like oil level?
The oil level is at the maximum level, but not over.
I have read previous topics, but couldnt find a definative answer.
Would i be best to just leave it alone, or could it cause serious damage?
Thanks

There are a few related threads on here, but few with a definitive answer. Mine started as per yours but a few dozen engine-hours down the line it suddenly became a smokescreen - a scored barrel necessitating a re-honing seems to have sorted it (a pain but the practice was welcome :smartass:). Keep checking the oil-levels as per the handbook!

Are you sure you have checked the oil level correctly? It's a bit of an involved process:

• Run engine 5-10 minutes (best after a proper run)
• Let bike stand a few minutes to allow oil to settle
• Get bike vertical
• Take out dipstick and wipe clean
• Insert dipstick without screwing in
• Take reading.

That is the only way I get a consistent reading on mine - anything else and it appears either completely empty or way overfilled.

Having said that, my guess would be worn valve guides, allowing a little oil to drain into the cylinder when the bike is at rest. Not a great cause for alarm, and not too hard to fix.

hi there if the smoke is white and only happens from a cold start it sounds like condensation , as long as it quickly go,s it shoud not be a problem. if the owner before you only used it for short journers this will have made matters worse ,as you have a engine breather pipe that go,s to the air box which can deposite moisture in there. i would change the oil / filter also clean or replace air filter and clean any gunge from the inside of the air box also remove and blow clear the engine breather pipe, or better still do not reconect engine breather pipe to airbox just extend it and position it so it breaths in to the open air but not near the rear tyre , if you do this dont forget to blank the airbox hole where the pipe should fit, some people vent the pipe in to a small coke can / bottle etc just make sure the bottle / can can breathe and is not sealed up by the pipe. if the smoke is condensation it should vanish in to the air quickly , if it is oil which tends to be blue smoke it will hang in the air a little longer, then as seid you are in to a little engine wear , but as it do,s not do it all the time just keep a check on oil level and how much it uses . zigzag:thumbup1:

do a service oil and filter change and also change the plug clean out the air filter box replace the air filter too if its the paper type.
then when its done 200miles or so if it still smokes on start up i'd then look into valve stem seal/guides :rolleyes2:

It appears it was simply overfilled with oil.
I have taken about 1/4 litre out, its still really near the maximum level, but the smoking has stopped.:clap:

Yay, another zero-cost solution! I like those.