I'm not an expert on bikes or engines but can do most average non complex fixes. I have a 2002 vstar classic 1100. I don't ride much over the winter but do start my bike up about twice a month and let it run for a little. Last weekend when I did that it started smoking really bad. I shut it off and tried to identify where the smoke was coming from. I originally thought the cylinder head cover was leaking and dripping down to the exhaust causing it to smoke. I bought a gasket for the head cover and put that in last night but no luck. Same outcome. I did take a closer look this time where it was smoking from. I attached the diagram below. Looks like it is coming from both areas. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Greatly appreciate it!
Looks to me that the leak is coming from the valve cover. If looking at the picture above, it will be to the right of the AIS. Simple fix, might be a little tight.
I'm pretty sure that's the gasket (o-ring) I mentioned above that I replaced. That was my first thought but maybe I'm not understanding correctly. Thanks for the suggestions.
You may have to remove it again and check the cove to make sure that it has not been damaged buy being over tightened or the oring didn’t stay in place.
I just think I'm having the same issue with my 650. I washed it down and discovered some nasty rubber bits hanging out of that head cover. I haven't confirmed with soap as suggested earlier but does anyone suspect anything different? I'm just gong to go ahead and change it...I have some time on my hands anyway.
It looks as it may have been over tightened probably should adjust the valve clearance while you’re in there too. And from the looks of the bolts you may want to check the cover to make sure it is still flat as if it isn’t it will never seal properly. I would order new bolts for it and make sure you torque it properly.
If some one has over tightened them it i possibly the case but you can take them off and lay them on a flat surface to check them. If they rock when you push on them they are more than likely twisted. And if you put them back on be careful you don’t want to strip the bolt holes out as that is a hard fix.
I agree it seems to be a gasket that's not right.
I think, and if you are cool with it. Take a video showing the engine smoking. It may us diagnose via the web.
I took the cover off again and made sure the o-ring was on correctly then made sure not to over tighten the cover when putting it back on. It is still smoking. Here's a short video of it. Doesn't look like it's coming from the cover. In my original post I added a picture and put 2 red arrows. It still looks like it's coming from those areas. Any help is appreciated.
Oil does take awhile to burn off maybe get some break clean and wash it down then blow dry it and let it run for a little bit and see if you can see a drip of oil coming out of anywhere.
This is what I was going to suggest. It appears to be coming from the two flanges, which do have recesses in them where oil can hide. Try spraying a little brakleen in there and clean and dry them well. If it is oil, it will have that very distinct "burning oil" smell. It could be grease as well, but that looks like it may be your culprit.
I agree that it's oil residue still burning off as long as no new oil is leaking down on it. Clean really good, still seeing wet oil around the area, and let run.
Most of us have been there and done that, when it comes to many of the bike issues that are posted. We just reply to what has worked for us. Glad it worked out for you.
as long as liquid oil is not spewing out on the exhaust its safe to ride
that little bit of smoke is not going to catch fire and burn
the only real concern about any oil leak, is if most of your oil leaked out and the oil pump started sucking air - there are no low oil pressure or level lights on most Vstar bikes
and even if there were, the speedometer is not in your line of sight when riding - an oil light could come on and you would not see it unless you looked down.
To the OP: Glad you found the problem! The cure for a little oil on the exhaust on my stuff is a wide open run down a straightaway. That'll burn what little is sitting there right off.
If my bike is smokin', it means it's NOT broken. ?
Looks like maybe the last person working on this used some liquid gasket or something. There's some gummy rubbery stuff on the gasket. The gasket is completely flat so I'm going to replace that now. Hopefully that'll be golden!
yeah someone didnt have a new oring and tried to glue the old one in.... yikes!
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