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White Smoke???

11K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  can-amfan  
#1 ·
Hey guys my 400 wont start on its own, I have to put gas directly into the carb and even then it will only run on full choke and white smoke comes out the exhaust and it stinks too. What causes this?

Thanks.
 
#3 ·
Do you actually think that could be my problem?
 
#5 ·
What concerns me is that the bike was running perfectly and this just suddenly happened. I just cleaned the carb and there is no difference at all. If any of you guys could help it would be greatly appreciated as this bike is being raced at mud nationals.
 
#6 ·
I usually associate "white-exhaust-smoke" with a bad head gasket or O-ring & burning coolant.
Have you checked the coolant level & let's hope I'm wrong .
 
#8 ·
Alright well I did some research and from whats happening to my bike shows a bad head gasket. Especially since the smoke smells sweet so that means coolant. I took some pictures of the outside of the head because it looks like it is leaking near the top and wont be as bad of a job (maybe even if its bad it wont leak at all?). Is it even possible to be the cause of the problem if the leak is near the top?

Image


Image
 
#9 ·
Maybe the pics I posted don't have anything to do with the problem but on a side note, there is no oil leaking around anywhere lower on the head so thats what makes me believe its leaking right at the top. Like I said maybe it doesn't leak even if its bad so I'm not sure and it would be great if someone could clear that up for me.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
The pics you posted were of the valve cover.
You def have a leaking valve cover seal right around the red line.
Image


The cover is either over tightened or the rubber seal is twisted between the head & the recess in the valve cover.
This is not the cause of the white smoke though.
 
#11 ·
Alright, thanks for the information. I'm just going to take it into the shop, dont got time to be pissin around with this stuff.