hi i have a problem with my 01 929, it starts up just fine but after a few minutes it starts to blow white smoke from the exhaust, (more like steam) i've done some research and the first idea i have (im sure u will agree) is a blown head gasket. but heres the think, according to diagnosis, there should be water in oil, and coolant must be low right? but all this seems to be ok, no milky oil, coolant is whiting level. some say that taking off the radiator cap and starter it up, i should see coolant coming out from the radiator cap, but theres none. any ideas?

 

it could be the gas is running rich

 

Welcome to the forum. Everything I knew about white exhaust hints to water burning, so cracked head, head gasket and I've been told could be something to do with the valves. Not sure about the valves thing, cause I do not see coolant being that close to the valves... but I'm not an engine expert.

 

yeah so all point to head gasket right, i havent crash so that leaves cracked head out of the question. a shop did a compression test a couple months ago so that leaves the valve thing out too. should i try replacing the head gasket by myself guided by the manual or should i take it to the shop? what do you suggest? first of al , i was thinking take it to the shop just to make sure is the head gasket and see how much they charges but if its too much maybe i will try to change it myself. opinions?

 

Have you smelled the ehaust fumes? I mean coolant has a sweet smell to it and is very noticable. I'm not a mechanic so I'm guessing at this with you. You don't have to wreck to have a cracked head. It can happen from high temps and the head being cooled quickly by cooler water hitting it. I try to do all of my own work and a head gasket is one of the few engine repairs I'd try to do myslef. See if you smell coolant burning.

 

i dont smell "sweet" but im sure its steam, theres water dropping out of the exhaust can, i have a 50% coolant 50% water mixture.

 

If you have ever had a blown head gasket or cracked head.... you'd know the smell for life. I don't know what to say about your problem then, if you don't really smell coolant burning. A trip to the shop may be in order.

 

Does the bike do this after a run?. Don't know much about where you live, but if it still warm there, you can build up a heap of condensation in the pipe overnight, which then evaporates once the bike gets hot (comes out as steamy white vapour). When you give it some revs, it will blow out water droplets. Just a thought.

 

nope is not that , i broke down on the freeway and thats where the white smoke(steam) started.

 

Ok, When you blow a gasket, you don't always get the classic signs, water in the oil, & sudden coolant level drop etc. It depends where the gasket blows & (this is the 'orror' bit) you may have actually warped (or even cracked) the head. I know it sounds bad, but the head has to come off anyway & they do recommend that you have it checked out before a refit.With a warped cylinder head, the gasket does not alway go, but its obviously weak, allowing gas & water to escape via pressure, (same with a cracked head). I'd be taking it to the shop, If your handy with tools you can do a lot of the work yourself, (taking the head off & then to the shop for them to check it out) will save a few bucks. But that up to you. Me, I'd take the bike there & get em to diagnose the problem & fix it. Its not a dire as it sounds & it's all fixable.