Help:Burning oil I think

[HypnoToad]

Every 1000 miles or so I have to top up the oil not just a few millilitres but over 1 litre. I don't seem to have an oil leak (no oil on the ground were I park)
There is 69,500KM on the bike (20,000 Japan, 30,000 England, 20,000 with me) there is a fully service history for the last. 50,000KM,
Is the piston seals gone or is there another reason for this.
I thought these bikes were indestructible

[drinmotoracer]

Is there black smoke coming from the exhaust or anywhere? If not, check your gaskets... could be a leak that you didn't catch. I've had leaks on other bikes before that I didn't even know were there until I did an oil change.

[HypnoToad]

In the morning when its cold and the choke is on there is a lot of smoke the white kind, I'll have a look at lunch time today but I would say no to lots of black smoke.

[DefTrap]

Do you thrash it? Seems to me you get a lot of oil coming out the breather and into the airbox when it's used hard. I dunno whether or not that would account for a litres worth.

[robs321]

In the morning when its cold and the choke is on there is a lot of smoke the white kind, I'll have a look at lunch time today but I would say no to lots of black smoke.

white smoke is usually coolant getting into your cylinders, maybe you have a head gasket on its way out? JD would be the man to ask!


cheers
Robs

[HypnoToad]

Well the airbox is clean so that means I don't thrash it..... right

I just took it out for lunch and there was very little smoke comming out of the exhaust.

Ill have a good inspection of the gaskets tonight when I get the tank off.


Thanks for the help

[Roberto]

Shouldn't be much smoke today as it's fairly warm out. If you're burning oil there will a blue tinge to the smoke coming out of the zorst, especially from cold. Start it up early in the morning and give it some revs. Look closely at the smoke and see if it appears blue.

[HypnoToad]

OK Roberto i'll do that tomorrow

Thanks.

[motorcycleman]

You could try a 20w50 motorcycle oil if you aren't already.... there may be some oil leaking past the valve guides and heavier oil could solve that.

[HypnoToad]

10w 40 at the min

I have heard of "replacing the oil with one grade heavie" and I might have to do this early days.

[NT400]

10w 40 at the min

I have heard of "replacing the oil with one grade heavie" and I might have to do this early days.

Mine burns about 400 ml every 1000 km or more . I use the motul 15W50 semi synthetic . My mechanic told me that it may not be related to the pistons at all . Try to throttle up to 6- 7000 RPM at night . If you notice in light that smoke comes out only when applying throttle and if you keep a steady RPM no more smoke comes out that means that the intake valve(s) gasket(s) are leaking . That is what the mechanic told me . Hope you get the meaning because my technical english is rather bad . I think 10W oil for a used motor is "thin"....

[Roberto]

Re: Oil Viscosity... http://www.mikebentley.com/oilburn.htm

Don't know if this works... sounds like it could go either way. Suppose it might delay the onset of bigger symptoms but some sort of component replacement will eventually be needed.

[HypnoToad]

Ya I understand NT400, I'll try that as well when I get a change.
Thanks.

[drinmotoracer]

In the morning when its cold and the choke is on there is a lot of smoke the white kind, I'll have a look at lunch time today but I would say no to lots of black smoke.

white smoke is usually coolant getting into your cylinders, maybe you have a head gasket on its way out? JD would be the man to ask!


cheers
Robs

I agree... white smoke = coolant burning. NOt sure of the source though.

[HypnoToad]

But coolent is fine it topped up with no loss at all. and oil is the one that is dropping 1.2 litre per 1000KM.