Repair / Smoke and exhaust
Smoke and exhaust
Problems, repairs and parts for the smoke and exhaust.
Problems
- Black smoke from the exhaustRide with care
- Blue or grey smoke from the exhaustRide with care
- Smoke or oil mist from the crankcase breatherRide with care
- Exhaust blocked or choked with carbon (two-stroke)Ride with care
- Exhaust pipe glows red or the catalytic converter overheatsStop now
- Ticking or puffing from an exhaust leakRide with care
- Exhaust has become much louderRide with care
- Popping or banging from the exhaust when slowing downRide with care
- Rattling from the exhaust or heat shieldRide with care
- Oil dripping from the exhaust (two-stroke)Ride with care
- White smoke or steam from the exhaustRide with care
- Engine still smokes after a rebuild with new ringsRide with care
Repairs
- Diagnose exhaust smoke by colourHome workshop · 15 to 30 min
- Clean or replace the air filterRider job · 15 to 40 min (estimate, plus drying time for foam)
- Check the choke or starter valveHome workshop · 20 to 45 min
- Read a spark plugHome workshop · 10 to 15 min, plus a short ride
- Check the carburettor float and needle valveHome workshop · 30 to 60 min with the carburettor off
- Clean the carburettorHome workshop · 1.5 to 3 h
- Read engine fault codes (fuel injection)Home workshop · 15 to 30 min
- Check the engine sensors (TPS, MAP, temperature)Workshop job · 10 min for home checks; 30 to 90 min at a workshop
- Check the fuel injectorWorkshop job · 10 min for home checks; 1 to 2 h at a workshop
- Check the engine oil levelRider job · 5 to 10 min (estimate, includes warm-up and settling)
- Check the crankcase breatherHome workshop · 20 to 30 min
- Test engine compressionHome workshop · 30 to 45 min
- Do a leak-down testWorkshop job · 30 to 60 min
- Assess the top end (cylinder, piston, valves)Workshop job · 3 to 6 h strip and measure
- Check the two-stroke oil pump and linesWorkshop job · 30 min check; 1 to 2 h with bleeding and setting
- Check and top up coolantRider job · 5 to 10 min
- Find a coolant leakHome workshop · 30 to 60 min
- Find and fix an exhaust leakHome workshop · 30 to 60 min
- Find an intake air leakHome workshop · 20 to 45 min
- Adjust carburettor idle speed and mixtureHome workshop · 20 to 40 min
- Check and adjust valve clearanceHome workshop · 45 to 90 min (estimate, screw-and-locknut type)
- Check the ignition timingWorkshop job · 30 to 60 min assessment
- Check exhaust mounts and heat shieldsRider job · 15 to 30 min
- Check the oxygen sensorWorkshop job · 10 min for home checks; 30 to 60 min at a workshop
- Decarbonise a two-stroke exhaust and portWorkshop job · 2 to 4 h
- Check engine mounting boltsHome workshop · 20 to 40 min
- Find and fix rattlesHome workshop · 20 to 60 min
- Check air cooling (fins, airflow, mixture)Rider job · 20 to 40 min
