Blue smoke and water leaking from the exhaust

After the trouble I had with getting a new key for my bike, I was very happy just to be able to start it up without hot-wiring it. Once I had it running, everything seemed ok... for the first few minutes. Then I noticed the cloud of blue smoke forming behind me, and the twin puddles of water forming at my feet. After taking a closer look at my pipes, i noticed that there were little jets of blue smoke coming out of the same joint the water was dripping from:


Here are the questions I have:

1- Are these two issues related?
2- Is this just cause the fuel has been sitting in the bike for four months?

Thanks, guys! It looks like we may have a small break in the weather next week and I'm hoping to get out on the road, at least for a short ride. I'm getting twitchy with all of this time spent on 4 wheels.

-c

 

The mufflers on my Maxim have drain holes in a similar location. They drip a lot now too.

Blue smoke is usually oil. Are you sure it's not steam?

 

Ok.. panic over... There are drain holes there, and the "smoke" coming out of them is steam. I'm pretty sure some of what's coming out of the back is smoke, though. Smells strongly of exhaust!

 

Whoa, wait wait wait... your exhaust smells like exhaust?

Honestly the old fuel sounds like a legitimate reason to me.

 

CC,

I dont have a direct answer to your last question, but would like to offer some advise.

You mention water in exhaust, try covering the ends of the mufflers with some kind of barrier. Soft, yet waterproof material works best. But a trash bag works in a pinch.

Also after 4 months, do yourself a favor and NOT use that old gas(Even if it did hav stabil or Seafoam in it) You mention a 4 wheeler, use it cage fodder and treat your hibernating baby with some FRESH unleaded plus(or equivatent)

Keep in mind I dont winterize my bike and never used these techniques myself. If there are some problems please chime in gallery.

 

Surprise of surprises!

I'll drain the tank and fill 'er up with some fresh stuff (incidentally, the gas is just gas..no stabilizers or anything. i lost the key in october/november and couldn't get the tank open 'til this week.) I've got the Seafoam ready for the next time the roads are clear enough for a short ride.

Just to make sure I'm understanding... I should have done this in the fall, right?

Thanks!

 

YES. The material prevents water, debris, small gremlins from making a home of your exhaust. Really, water in the pipes will rust them out quick. But nests have been known to find their way into your pipes. Imagine gettin a yellowjacket nest outta your baffles 8O

 

It's most likely nothing to worry about.

After sitting for four months, the bike will have lots of condensation in your exhaust pipes. Just let the bike warm up and the "smoke" and water will go away.

I've had this occur with every bike I've owned when it's had to sit for a few months.

Also, there's no need to drain the gas out that's in there, just put some Stabil in the gas and ride. Top the tank off once you get it down to about half full.

I'd recommend you add Stabil to the tank any time it is going to sit for an extended period.

 

Most of exhaust is water vapor and carbon dioxide. Plus the exhaust smell.

When the mufflers are cold some of the water vapor condenses. The drain hole is to let the condensation out. When the air is cold ( :cry: which it has been for WAY too long) the water vapor forms a steam cloud in the cold air.

 

i get alot of condensation out of my drainholes when i fire it up in the morning.

as far as the smoke, i'd be likely to say just old stuff burning off..

 

The water is condensation from Gas which has a high concentration of Ethanol in it.
Under the right conditions it will literally pour out the overflows in the exhaust and collect on the garage floor.

You can see it being expelled from cars and trucks as they accelerate ahead of you.

The condensation will help clean the combustion chambers; to an extent ... but, are nothing but harmful to the exhaust collector and pipes. The steam will rust them out from the inside.