Smoking at startup?

[chris200x]

I'm wondering what the problem might be with my SX. Sometimes if it sits for a while when I start it it smokes like a cheap cigar? After a few minutes it goes away. I have no loss of power and my compression is great (around 150 psi) and it always starts up and runs fine? Anyone know what might cause this?

I noticed this after I sunk it the last time. I had alot of water in the motor but flushed it out properly. Did I screw something up?

Is it ok to keep running it like this? Kinda thinkin if it ain't broke don't fix it type of thing?

Oh, The valves tick no matter how many times I adjust the valves. It's always been this way though.

[BigReds Forever]

valve guides and/or seals...thats my best guess. I would say just seals but the fact that they "tick no matter how many times i adjust" makes me think the guides are gone also... It will run fine like this, as long as the valves are sealing properly, just remember to check your oil. whats happening is oil is running down from the rocker box through the valves and burning in the cylinder. Once everything gets warmed up, it expands and oil cant get buy. I wouldnt worry about this untill your next rebuild..

[petesatc]

Yep like Reds said valve seals or guides.....

[chris200x]

OK thanks. I change the oil on this bike religioulsy after every ride. so I can't really tell if it burns oil or not. I guess I'll have to let it go for a while to see what happens.

[ATC-Eric]

I had the same thing on my 200s after I sunk it. Its been sunk one to many times now though, and the smoke doesent go away.

Same thing on my 350x (smokes on start then quites) Runs like a champ, and has great compression. I say whoever fixes theirs first Chris, we compare notes.

[chris200x]

How hard is it to change out those guide/seals? Would it be best to wait till the engine bombs and do the entire top end then? I noticed oil starting to seep from the head near the plug. It's still running on the original piston and rings but like I said it only smokes till it warms up then it runs strong. I guess I'll just run it till it dies then worry about it.

What would a proper do-it-yourself fresh top end cost these days? Maybe i put just a tad bit too much oil in it? Ya can't realy tell by that pic of the dipstick but its a tick or two above the top line.

[xman23]

well I had the same problem with my 200x, I changed the valve seals and it doesnt smoke at all anymore, well when i rebuilt mine to freshen it up, I bought a wiesco 10.25-1 piston for 75, and a gasket kit for like 20 or so, then I bought a honer for the cyl but i needed it anyways for more stuff, so it wasnt that expensive to do, just make sure you get your timing back to the correct spot, I thought I had my correct and put the motor back in and fired it up, and I was a tooth off so I had to take it appart again.

[oscarmayer]

the vlave guides shoudl be installed at a shop since it invovles removal and special instillation of the guides to ensure it is installed correctly. (correct height/depth)

[BigReds Forever]

seals are easy, they snap on the top of the guides. just make sure you use a little sleave or something so the groove for the keepers doesn't tear your new seal. the guides are kinda a pain, you could do it if you have a press, but just make sure you take some measurements first so the new ones are at the same height (and dont sqash them!)

[Erics350x]

for a temp. fix try running 20w50 oil.

[threewheelin-feelin]

yeah its the valve seals dude...they are very easy to do....you wont need a valve spring compressor if you dont have one it just makes it easier if you do...just push them springs down by hand and have a friend pop the keepers out...replace the seals and put the spings back like they were....you probly wont even have to remove then engine .... good luck

[Rustytinhorn]

Some of you might disagree on what I'm about to say.....
A little oil seepage such as you are getting with your atc at startup is actually good for an engine. A slight leak will allow your engine parts (guides, valves, rings, and whatnot) to stay oiled and lubed when the atc is not in use, and decreases wear and tear at startup due to the slight coating everything has. Once your fire up your wheeler and it burns this excessive oil then you wouldnt ever guess it did it. Like everyone said before, this is no need to rebuild your top end. Consider it a healthy lube before each ride.

[chris200x]

perhaps this is why these old honda motors seem indescrtucable!

My local parts lace/shop pretty much told me not to even worry about it.