white vapor on startup

[goldflash]

Hey All! I have a question and I hope its not lame. I live in Conn. Its pretty cold out at the moment. If I start The 83 Interstate it runs clear for about 15 seconds and then lots of white smoke comes out of both pipes for about a minute and then clears up. It also has a miss that eventually gets less but it still there. I haven't touched the carbs yet so it may be related. I don't smell a sweet smell in the air and running it with its rear out the garage the vapor that came out of the downturned pipes ended up as a wet spot.When I got the bike it was ridden to my house from over 40 miles away. I later checked the wet spot and it appears to be frozen. I also removed the plugs and 3 were a nice light brown color and 2 appear cleaner.Also when I recieved the bike the expansion container was very low. Im not sure what to think after reading some of the posts for bad head gaskets because some of the symptoms are being displayed here. If a Headgasket were bad would it continually smoke white or could it display like this. Also when I blip the throttle it almost sounds like a rap or loose primary like in a Harley Is this normal Sorry for the long post but never having a GW and coming from Harley land I really don't no what to expect Any help appreciated GF

 

[toytender01]

Ok if it only comes out for a frw minutes after statr-up it is probablu due to condensation in the pipes, I would just watch it for a while. Not every thing is a major problem on these old girls, but then comming from a Harly enviroment :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy:

 

[joedrum]

take the plugs out ...turn kill switch to off ....spin with the starter and see if there is any difference what shoots out plug holes got to see all instanly ...it may clue in a cylinder problem ...it may look all the same ...that would be good ....untill there running good they can have primary chain slap and make noise ....carbs out sync ..stishy slides and so on ....use a dowel rod to maybe locate the rap ....

 

[Steve83]

Good advice from Toytender and Joedrum.

Condensation in the pipes will make white smoke (steam), and it takes those 15 seconds for the exhaust to heat things up enough for it to start evaporating. It's pure water, so it will freeze if it's cold enough. It will not cause a missfire. Keep an eye on the coolant level just in case...

Check your ignition system thoroughly, and you may have a plugged idle circuit in one of the carbs. These engines will knock a bit under acceleration with a missfire. Does it miss at all speeds, or only at idle?

 

[dan filipi]

I would write the steam off as condensation boiling out.

The recovery being low could also be caused by a bad water pump seal.
Unless the pump weep hole is plugged, you should see coolant drips on the floor just rear of the lower radiator hose.

If that weep hole is plugged, coolant could get into the oil.
Have a look at the oil drained into a pan.
If it looks like chocolate milk there's water in the oil and that's real hard on the bearings.

 

[goldflash]

Thanks for all the help/info. Ill keep a eye on the coolant level and pull the timing chain guard to check the water pump weeping/ leaking. I did notice a bit of steam coming from the radiator area and it could be the pump or possibly the radiator.As far as the miss its only at idle Hopefully this is a better scenario then all the time. How does the carb being out of sync cause a rapping noise? Thanks to everyone GF

 

[slabghost]

If carbs are out of adjustment the fuel charge to each cylinder will differ slightly. This will cause uneven running and primary chain slap noise. Try adding 6-8 oz of Automatic Transmission Fluid to each full tank of gas. This will help to clean the carbs internally and increase mileage a bit. It might smoke a little at start up.

 

[Bobo]

If carbs are out of adjustment the fuel charge to each cylinder will differ slightly. This will cause uneven running and primary chain slap noise. Try adding 6-8 oz of Automatic Transmission Fluid to each full tank of gas. This will help to clean the carbs internally and increase mileage a bit. It might smoke a little at start up.

+1 to all above, except the ATF in the fuel. I'd use a similar amount of SeaFoam, but that's just me. Otherwise, you boys are really on your game here! :good:

 

[OldWrench]

I second the seaform over the ATF. I have seen folks add too much ATF and not only cause smoke issues but fouled plugs. Seafoam burns clean.

 

[dan filipi]

Like most additives, a little can be good but more doesn't mean better.

 

[slabghost]

The reason I suggest ATF over Seafoam is it doesn't damage old seals like harsher cleaners can and do. Yes too much ATF can foul the plugs and make it smoke like a two stroke but as stated above. When a little is good more is not always better. ATF also adds lubricity to the fuel charge which Seafoam does not. In the end personal preference is all that matters.

 

[mcgovern61]

Dosage is important! :rtfm:

8 oz ATF to a full tank of gas.

 

[Steve83]

I also agree on the ATF - it won't damage rubber seals, float valves or fuel hoses. If the plugs foul, clean 'em, change 'em, and you're on your way!

 

[AApple]

Steam coming from the radiator area could indicate a leaky rad cap, a pin-hole in the rad, or something similar, like a loose hose. Steam from the pipes for just a minute or so is just condensation, especially on colder mornings. The colder it is outside, the longer it will shoot steam. In my experience, a coolant-caused steam will linger in the air far longer than just normal condensation.
The idle miss is prolly a carb deal....

 

[backlander]

+1 on the ATF. Clears up a lot of carb problems and is simple and cheap to try versus tearing them apart first. Noticeable improvement usually by the second tank. If you have access to non-ethanol fuel it would be wise to use it instead of the blended ethanol fuel.

 

[clintackerman]

make sure you have antifreeze in the coolant