Forum

[Wally]

I have a 2002 Bullet E and after setting a few days or so during restart a massive amount of smoke is created, with oil blowing out around the exhaust pipe at the cylinder head. Does this engine have valve guide seals that could need replacing, it only has about 4,000 miles reading, or could there be other issues?

[Riggers]

What's probably happening Wally is oil is seeping into the crankcase from the oil tank. When you start the engine this oil is then splashed into the cylinder and burned. If this is the case the simplest solution is to leave the engine at Top Dead Centre (TDC) when left for any length of time. This can be determined by the ammeter 'cocking' backwards with the ignition on. Cheers. Tony.

[John M]

Look in the technical notes on this site under "Wet Sumping" there is nothing to worry about, just use it more often and as the previous post states see if leaving it at top dead centre helps.

[Wally]

Thanks all, I will try your advice.

[Midge]

I'm trying to work out why wet sumping would cause 'oil blowing out around the exhaust pipe at the cylinder head'.

[Riggers]

If it IS wet sumping my guess is that an excess of oil is being splashed up into the cylinder which the engine cannot burn quickly enough and then causing it to be forced out of anywhere it can escape. That's what I think. That.

[Gwilly]

Interesting this, Midge makes a valid observation as it would be very unusual for oil to actually be forced from the exhaust joint under normal wet sumping.

I would first ascertain if there is indeed too much oil in the sump after a day standing.. Remove the forward most sump plug and catch into a container.

Should be ~30cc ish.. Half a pint and there's ya trouble. I suspect the oil is leaking into the cylinder above the piston and being blasted out and burning on starting..

Could simply be a duff head gasket or a damaged valve guide/head casting. Check the sump first and take it from there…gwilly

[Norm]

If these things wet sump badly, oil coming out around the exhaust is common, it will come out of everywhere, only place I haven't seen it come out of is the headlight

[Norm]

I don't mind having the odd wet sumping bike in my shed, filling the shed every so often with smoke helps keep the spiders away, they just pack up and leave.