Bit of blue smoking after sitting

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:19 pm

Well, I've been running the CA95 lately, as it's finally getting warm here.
I haven't yet had the chance to ride it outside of my yard, but I'm seeing a fair bit of blue smoke. It's a bit strange, since it wasn't doing this before I set it to hibernate for the winter. I know the oil is getting older (changed just before I got it), so I think I might start there before I go tearing the engine down.

Aside from worn rings, valve guides, etc.- does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a sticky ring from mostly sitting over the winter?

It hasn't been on the road proper in over 2 years, so it's mostly run stationary or in 1st around the yard.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:24 pm

It is probably oil that has seeped through the valve guides. I would run it a while. It may clear up. Yes, it a sign of a worn engine.....I would enjoy the bike while the weather is warm...

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:44 pm

Spokes wrote:It is probably oil that has seeped through the valve guides. I would run it a while. It may clear up. Yes, it a sign of a worn engine.....I would enjoy the bike while the weather is warm...

Dang, looks like head work is in my future... any chance replacing the doubtful oil might help?

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:01 pm

Doh! I forgot to mention; the gas in the tank has Seafoam fuel stabilizer in it... any chance that's also the problem?

Jetblackchemist · Post by **Jetblackchemist** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:09 pm

Done.

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:23 pm

Jetblackchemist wrote:Seafoam will burn all the carbon out with a smoke, the blue is definitely a sign it's oil burning. The smoke I was having got a little worse, then cleared up after adding seafoam. Run it as Spokes suggests. Storage and not enough speed to clear it all out might be causing it to linger.

The smoke is usually mostly white, but with the slightest blue tinge.
Perhaps the seafoam + small oil seep = nasty clouds...
I'm going to change the oil tomorrow (replace the mystery fluid inside), and I'm hoping running the bike more/faster will help clear it up.
Otherwise, methinks I'll have to look for valve guide issues...

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:41 pm

Drain or burn the gas with all of the additives 1st. Change the oil and replace with straight 30wt. Run the bike. I will bet that the oil smoke will clear up. Honestly, enjoy the bike during the warm season as I think it's pretty short for you. Otherwise your eating up your riding days waiting on parts and services. IMO

kartgreen · Post by **kartgreen** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:20 pm

I'm with Spokes on this , drain the gas and put fresh gas in the tank and drain the crankcase and use a 30 or 40 wt. oil . If it's not fouling the spark plugs just ride the heck out of it . These are old motors that sit or have sat for long periods of time. Oil congeals in the ring lands,worn valve guides allow oil into the combustion chamber , you'd be surprised how much better the engine will perform if you can get it out on the road and put a few miles on it .

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:31 pm

Thanks for the advice, Spokes, Kartgreen. I'll be changing the oil tomorrow, replace the gas this week, and I'll be getting a temporary permit for it some time in the next two weeks.
I don't have the money to insure it for the whole summer yet - MC insurance rates are pretty bad up here.

It's always a bit hair balancing this with my other stuff - I'm currently working through to get my certification in electronics.
Anyways, thanks again!

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:42 pm

Well, changed oil, cleaned filter, replaced gas... took it for a dozen or so laps around the yard, no improvement. It runs fine, but the higher the RPMs, the more smoke I see.

After running, I pulled it into the garage and had a close look. A little bit of oil is aspirating past the exhaust pipe seal onto the starter, leaving a little streak. Pulled the spark plug from the same side, a little carbon but no oil.

Am I right in thinking it's likely the exhaust valve guide letting oil get into the pipes?

If so, it looks like I'll have to find a shop around here that I can get to rebuild the head. My little shop isn't quite ambitious enough for that.

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:43 am

Spokes wrote:Drain or burn the gas with all of the additives 1st. Change the oil and replace with straight 30wt. Run the bike. I will bet that the oil smoke will clear up. Honestly, enjoy the bike during the warm season as I think it's pretty short for you. Otherwise your eating up your riding days waiting on parts and services. IMO

Since CA95 parts/service is pretty rare up here... do you know of anyone in the US that would be able to build a new head to ship up to Canada?

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:38 pm

Yes.

Cornet Racing Engines 1647 S. Highway 27 Somerset KY

606-678-2226 Ask for David.

These guys did one of my CA95 cylinder heads. Give them a call and explain what you need.

Sam Green · Post by **Sam Green** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:06 am

comp_wiz101 wrote:Well, I've been running the CA95 lately, as it's finally getting warm here.
I haven't yet had the chance to ride it outside of my yard, but I'm seeing a fair bit of blue smoke. It's a bit strange, since it wasn't doing this before I set it to hibernate for the winter. I know the oil is getting older (changed just before I got it), so I think I might start there before I go tearing the engine down.

Aside from worn rings, valve guides, etc.- does anyone have any ideas? Could it be a sticky ring from mostly sitting over the winter?

It hasn't been on the road proper in over 2 years, so it's mostly run stationary or in 1st around the yard.

You had the answer to your problem in your first post.
It's a bit strange, since it wasn't doing this before I set it to hibernate for the winter.
Could it be a sticky ring from mostly sitting over the winter?

Things have to move to create wear and since it hasn't been moving, it can't suddenly be wear.
The chances are it's a stuck oil ring. Lift the front of the bike so that the top of the pistons are level with the ground. Bring the pistons to top dead center and squirt some penetraiting oil through the spark plug hole and leave it for a few days before trying again.
Running it to much with a stuck ring could cause the ring to break which could cause damage to the cylinder bore and piston.

Sam.

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:55 pm

Sam Green wrote:
The chances are it's a stuck oil ring. Lift the front of the bike so that the top of the pistons are level with the ground. Bring the pistons to top dead center and squirt some penetraiting oil through the spark plug hole and leave it for a few days before trying again.
Sam.

Well, I set the bike up on a ramp the best I could (Couldn't get the pistons quite level) - I brought them up to TDC, then down just enough so I can fill the cylinders up with "Deep Creep" over the whole head of the piston. I'll check on it in the evening, top up if needed, then check again tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice, it's always a new adventure when something stops working right

comp_wiz101 · Post by **comp_wiz101** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:34 pm

Follow up:
I've gone in and checked the cylinders - the right hand cylinder (the one I caught spraying out oil) has consumed all the deep creep. The left-hand cylinder still had about 1/4 left. I filled them both up again, and I'll probably go out to start it tomorrow.