Smoke

[Username]

It might just be my paranoia or it might be a real problem... It's currently about 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside and I just started up my bike before i rode around the block for a bit, before riding I noticed some smoke coming from the exhaust and I figured it was just like a car when it starts on a chilly day. It's not a solid white or solid black color, its just 'regular' colored smoke if that makes any sense... I feel like there was more of it after I let it sit for a bit after starting it... I'm no mechanic and im brand new to bikes so i could use some help as to what this could be. Is it just because its cold outside? Is it because it hasn't been started for a couple months now because of the winter? Or is it a serious problem with the motor? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lilday]

Probably just rain water, or condensation on the down pipes.

It will also happen if you've cleaned it and sprayed something like WD40 to clean the down pipes.

 

[Username]

Probably just rain water, or condensation on the down pipes.

It will also happen if you've cleaned it and sprayed something like WD40 to clean the down pipes.

So it should be gone pretty soon right? It's getting warming and i'll start driving it more often in about a week, should I just wait and see how it does after driving it for a day or two and then determine if its something else other than condensation or something?

 

[dart1963]

should stop after a short bit if it's water.

if it's 40deg, probably just the heat into cold air causing it.

does it smell like burnt oil, or just regular exhaust... could take a bit longer for the ecu to tweak the settings for the colder climate/denser air if you haven't ran it in a while.

Take it for a good spin, through the revs then see if it gets better or worse. A short trip around the block may not do it.

 

[rhnatyk]

Don't worry ... it's just water vapor. Completely normal.

 

[JT]

probably a rat that got into your exhaust! lol j/k

 

[FastFreddy]

Exhaust smoke colour and their causes :

Grey = Water vapour, normal for cold engine on a cold day.
White = Head gasket blown and water in exhaust, bad.
Blue = Oil, bad.
Black = rich mixture, easy to fix.

Also note the little hole in the bottom of the muffler to let the condensation out, sometimes this drips.

 

[Scott_Thomas]

Exhaust smoke colour and their causes :

Grey = Water vapour, normal for cold engine on a cold day.
White = Head gasket blown and water in exhaust, bad.
Blue = Oil, bad.
Black = rich mixture, easy to fix.

Also note the little hole in the bottom of the muffler to let the condensation out, sometimes this drips.

Makes sense to have water vapor after sitting a few months. I haven't fired up my girl yet and hope she cranks over. I wanted her in the garage, but it's my in laws property and my bike lost out over the f'n snow blower. It's in an annex on the back of a shed, but no door and exposed to the cold. We were supposed to run electric to the back and install a door, but ran out of time before winter. She's staying in the garage this year one way or another damn it!!! LOL

 

[FastFreddy]

I saw a car with lots of white with a dash of blue and black coming out the the other day. The driver wasn't worried. That would effect me emotionally if it was my car, I hate it when something is wrong with my car or bike, its like my heart hurts or I'm sad and slightly depressed until its fixed. It's almost as bad as sitting in the courtesy chair holding a handbag when you're gf is in the cheap clothes with big price tag shop. (you know, when I used to have hair)

 

[Scott_Thomas]

I saw a car with lots of white with a dash of blue and black coming out the the other day. The driver wasn't worried. That would effect me emotionally if it was my car, I hate it when something is wrong with my car or bike, its like my heart hurts until its fixed.

Yup, me too! I've had a bad heater core in my truck for a few years, but it got worse when I took it in to be flushed to see if it helped. Now leaks a little and almost no heat. It costs close to $1000 to have it replaced, hence the reason I haven't. This winter was brutal in Northeast USA so I am going to get it replaced when I start back to work (home on disability until April). Doesn't affect performance or anything, but I know it's broken and it bothers me.

 

[Riccochet]

I wouldn't worry so long as it clears up. If it continues, worry.

 

[FastFreddy]

$1000 for a truck radiator, woah, the joys of running a truck.

Make sure you get new mass-dampeners (rubber grommets) for it, they get brittle.

 

[Scott_Thomas]

$1000 for a truck radiator, woah, the joys of running a truck.

Make sure you get new mass-dampeners (rubber grommets) for it, they get brittle.

No not the radiator, just the heater core which is separate. It's a $100 part, but requires a lot of labor. Dash ripped out and so on or I'd do it myself.

 

[leem00]

No not the radiator, just the heater core which is separate. It's a $100 part, but requires a lot of labor. Dash ripped out and so on or I'd do it myself.

Some of the newer ones are designed for easy removal. You may want to investigate it a little.

My 92 grand marquis was pretty simple, remove glove box, remove access panel, replace. Same thing with my 92 f350.

Some come out from the engine compartment too

 

[Scott_Thomas]

Some of the newer ones are designed for easy removal. You may want to investigate it a little.

My 92 grand marquis was pretty simple, remove glove box, remove access panel, replace. Same thing with my 92 f350.

Some come out from the engine compartment too

Not so lucky, was quoted $800 or $900 a while back. I already looked up the part and it's only around 100 bucks. I also looked it up on Dodge Ram forums and everyone that tried to do it on there own ended up needing to buy parts to replace parts they broke taking dash out. Worth the $800 if I don't have to deal with that kind of headache. I don't mind doing minor work, but I can't afford to not have my truck.

 

[FastFreddy]

Having the dash quiet with no rattles would definitely be worth it, especially after putting up with it already over Winter.