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Smoking a lot. Check video. Possible issues?

Joined Dec 2023
39 Posts | 0+
Connecticut m, USA
Hello,

Worst smoking:

Most recent start up:


Oil in the exhaust:

I just bought a 2008 FE550. To the sellers credit, the bike did NOT smoke like this when he sold it to me. After 2 or 3 rides with no problems, I did an oil change and topped off the coolant. The very next start up it became really hard to start and now it smokes like crazy, it also stalled while in neutral cruising back to my driveway. Not sure if it was smoking but when I got back it certainly was smoking, per the video up top.

I’ve started it a few more times (since the smoking video) and it’s become less smoky and easier to start but I am still concerned.

I hope it doesn’t need a new top end.

Let me know if there are any pictures or videos I can provide.
 
Hello,

Worst smoking:

Most recent start up:


Oil in the exhaust:

I just bought a 2008 FE550. To the sellers credit, the bike did NOT smoke like this when he sold it to me. After 2 or 3 rides with no problems, I did an oil change and topped off the coolant. The very next start up it became really hard to start and now it smokes like crazy, it also stalled while in neutral cruising back to my driveway. Not sure if it was smoking but when I got back it certainly was smoking, per the video up top.

I’ve started it a few more times (since the smoking video) and it’s become less smoky and easier to start but I am still concerned.

I hope it doesn’t need a new top end.

Let me know if there are any pictures or videos I can provide.

How much oil did you put inside?
If you fill up too much it will most likely end up in the engine breather hose... Down the frame... And into your carb. Causing the troubles you mention. That's one possibility.
 
I filled up to about 3/4 of the window when cold.

Im not a mechanic but I understand see how oil in the carb would cause some of these symptoms.

Would it also explain the oil in the exhaust? The where two pieces of the exhaust come together, there is a significant amount of oil. I noticed after riding it, it’s burnt off and I cannot tell if it’s accumulating more or if it’s staying dry.
 
I filled up to about 3/4 of the window when cold.

Im not a mechanic but I understand see how oil in the carb would cause some of these symptoms.

Would it also explain the oil in the exhaust? The where two pieces of the exhaust come together, there is a significant amount of oil. I noticed after riding it, it’s burnt off and I cannot tell if it’s accumulating more or if it’s staying dry.
3/4 of the level glass is way too much.
When cold and standing upwards the oil will appear just slightly above the lowside of the level glass.
Fill in 1l. Not more.
Drain oil and fill up 1l and your problems should be gone. I suppose you got lucky. If the problem remains we have to look closer again.
 
I agree with jojo09, You could also disconnect the breather hose at the top of the valve cover. This would stop oil feeding into your intake. If it's the problem, the smoke should disappear, it would start easier, and you would also see oil coming out of the valve cover ports.
Just dump or suck out some oil using a turkey baster with a hose on the tip.
 
you should have measured what you put in?

Drain the lot. measure 950ML and put THAT back in. It will come to the bottom of the window and only 1-2mm will be visible. that should do you.

Taffy
 
Take out your seat and air filter and take a look at the connecting rubber of the carb .If you see something like this in first and second photo you have put a lot of oil in the engine.Be carefull when you change oil to take out at least 900 ml.Measurit with this way.When you put oil the glass must be in this level.Never add more than 1 quart ( 950 ml )
 

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Take out your seat and air filter and take a look at the connecting rubber of the carb .If you see something like this in first and second photo you have put a lot of oil in the engine.Be carefull when you change oil to take out at least 900 ml.Measurit with this way.When you put oil the glass must be in this level.Never add more than 1 quart ( 950 ml )
Thank you, I’ll check that out.

My air filter is very full of oil, not sure how it got that way.

I’ll also take some oil out using a syringe until it is level like in your picture.
 
If lowering the oil level does not do the trick then it could be the crankcase reed valve (listed as a membrane in the parts manual). If the reed valve does not close completely because it is broken, loose, worn out or a piece of grit is holding it slightly open then it will suck extra oil into the crank cavity causing the bike to smoke excessively.
 
If lowering the oil level does not do the trick then it could be the crankcase reed valve (listed as a membrane in the parts manual). If the reed valve does not close completely because it is broken, loose, worn out or a piece of grit is holding it slightly open then it will suck extra oil into the crank cavity causing the bike to smoke excessively.
I will keep this thread handy for when I do that. It’s winter here and the bike has become difficult to start. Having troubles with the electrical start now. Sounds like it’s not turning the engine over.
 
Show me your batterry and tell me what type of oil you use . I hear it like a very weak battery but maybe you have a lot of oil in your valves chamber from the air filter to the carb and have hydraulic pressure.
 
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Thank you, I’ll check that out.

My air filter is very full of oil, not sure how it got that way.

I’ll also take some oil out using a syringe until it is level like in your picture.
Its very normal if you put more oil to take it out from the two holes of the head straight to the air filter and next to the carb .There is only a little sponge between them .Take out the fumes rubber of the head and the rubber of the carb and sponge inside the fumes rubber and clean them all with brake cleaner .Also clean the frame holes with brake cleaner too and wash the air filter . All after this will be ok.
 

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Its very normal if you put more oil to take it out from the two holes of the head straight to the air filter and next to the carb .There is only a little sponge between them .Take out the fumes rubber of the head and the rubber of the carb and sponge inside the fumes rubber and clean them all with brake cleaner .Also clean the frame holes with brake cleaner too and wash the air filter . All after this will be ok.
Thank you for providing those steps. I’ll be sure to do so
 
Show me your batterry and tell me what type of oil you use . I hear it like a very weak battery but maybe you have a lot of oil in your valves chamber from the air filter to the carb and have hydraulic pressure.
This is the battery, unfortunately I wasn’t able to get to any useful info.

It sounds like from all the recommendations that I probably both have the wrong oil and now I have oil everywhere from it being over filled. I’m going to follow a lot of the recommendations, put the proper oil/level in and try to clean up as much oil as possible. The filter is completely covered in oil and there are signs of it all in the exhaust and it’s clearly over filled
 
Ok first of all clean your air filter and all parts and frame from oil . Here is a guide for air filter cleaning . You can use a liquid soap for 3 months old babys .Its better and more pure from expensive oil filters cleaners and oiling with atf oil.



Then charge your battery in very low charging scale and try again .Maybe to save it .

Also here is a guide for oil change and first steps to prepare your bike


TAKIS
 
Ok first of all clean your air filter and all parts and frame from oil . Here is a guide for air filter cleaning . You can use a liquid soap for 3 months old babys .Its better and more pure from expensive oil filters cleaners and oiling with atf oil.



Then charge your battery in very low charging scale and try again .Maybe to save it .

Also here is a guide for oil change and first steps to prepare your bike


TAKIS

Oh wow! Thank you for the links and info
 
Hello,

Worst smoking:

Most recent start up:


Oil in the exhaust:

I just bought a 2008 FE550. To the sellers credit, the bike did NOT smoke like this when he sold it to me. After 2 or 3 rides with no problems, I did an oil change and topped off the coolant. The very next start up it became really hard to start and now it smokes like crazy, it also stalled while in neutral cruising back to my driveway. Not sure if it was smoking but when I got back it certainly was smoking, per the video up top.

I’ve started it a few more times (since the smoking video) and it’s become less smoky and easier to start but I am still concerned.

I hope it doesn’t need a new top end.

Let me know if there are any pictures or videos I can provide.

I would gues that previos owner has put oil some stop smoking additive.also yuor start free wheel is slipping and only way to repare that is buy new parts about 300£
 
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