So this past sunday I scrubbed in a new set of Pilot Power tires. As I am coming down a hill to a sharp right hander, I down shift and just happen to see out of the corner of my eye in the right mirror, puffs of white smoke come out of the exhaust. Temperature on the bike was good during the ride and when I got back to the house, I checked the coolant level and everything seems good to go. White smoke is caused by burning up coolant so where does this leave me, bad head gasket? Anyone have any ideas before I take it too my local Honda dealer because the bike is still under warranty. Maintenance is current on the bike and there are no mods done to the bike.

 

Come on Gearheads....Someone help me out here before I take it to the dealer......

 

Take it to the dealer.

 

White smoke is oil -- if the rings are really shot then you get a bluish-white smoke from lots of oil. Black smoke is running rich. If your head gasket is blown then you'd be smelling that sweet nasty smell and it'd be kinda whitish/clear smoke. It's not uncommon to have a puff here and there especially when you're on it hard and downshift for the corners. As long as you're not fouling the plugs it's fine.

 

Agree with chainstretcher here...

When your on the downshift and your breaking your speed with the engine. This causes the engine to actually slosh oil where it normally does not go and draw oil into the combustion chambers. This is usually via the piston rings, valve guides, or via the PVC valve(if equipped). I would not worry about it unless it smokes during acceleration or all the time. If this condition exists, then it's drawing oil into the combustion chambers all the time and you have something either worn or broken.

Does the bike smoke if it's been sitting for a day or two?

 

I understand all of the mechanics when downshifting hard and so fourth. I can go and run the **** out of it on the twisties, come back to the house, click it in neutral, rev it to about 8,000 (or not even that high) and white smoke puffs out. IMO, this should not happen sitting still. There has to be a certain amount of blow by occuring here. Anymore input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Not to be a dick, but clear smoke, come on now, think about that for a second...

 

I'd say you have some worn valve seals. To be an 04, having blow-by this soon seems a little quick. It's definately drawing oil from somewhere. It could be hard to track it down without going into the motor. If it's still under warranty, I'd take it back to the dealer and have them check it out.

 

The same thing happens on my 02 f4i. I am going to check the the pcv valve is working correctly and also do a compression check. If these things are in good working order and I can't find any other signs of where oil could be getting into the combustion chamber (ie via the air box or something) then I'm going to assume it's the valve seals. That would suck but I can't think of anything else that it could be.

Any input would be appreciated.