cam chain adjstmnt then white smoke!

[tenonry]

So I just found this forum and this is clearly where I can find out the answers I need, finally! Yesterday I did new plugs and a cam chain adjustment but now when I run the bike it pukes white smoke out of the left exhaust pipe. I was scared I had messed it up so I only rode it around the block to see if it was just carbon burning off but it clearly isn't going to. What did I do? I am so scared I screwed it up bad but I followed the directions to a 't'! Oh, I am not hearing any unusual noise now either.

[oldyam80sg]

In the future it will help others greatly by including the year and model in the signature spot so we know what we are dealing with.

[tenonry]

duh

Good point Oldyam! I updated it so people know what I ride. Thank you!

[oldyam80sg]

Don't know what white smoke means off hand.Adjusted the cam chain tension back around March or so and didn't follow directions to a 't' and it nearly cost me my engine.As soon as i heard that awful noise i shut it off.Thank God the Yamaha Gods had mercy on my soul and let me ride another day.The fact that you don't hear any noise is good.

[WMarshy]

Good point Oldyam! I updated it so people know what I ride. Thank you!

Hi tenonry, welcome to the forum, I wish you luck with your problem as Im fairly new here and dont have any knowledge regarding your problem. But..FYI there was no specail in 78... maybe typo? Best of luck.

[bikerphil]

How does it run? Make sure you still have good compression on all 4 cyls, rule that problem (bent valve) out first. If you don't have a compression guage, you can use the ol' thumb over the spark plug hole trick while cranking (cooled down motor of course).

[Larrym]

Details..

Was it running on all cylinders before you changed the plugs/adjusted the cam chain? (Rules out a pre-existing problem...)

What spark plugs did you install? ( Different plugs can extend down too far into the cylinder and possibly hit the top of the piston= hole in piston)

Did you just adjust the cam chain tensioner in place or did you remove it and then re-install it?

[tenonry]

bikerPhil and Larrym

I think it was hitting on all four cylinders before the plug change and cam chain adjustment, although I can't be positive of that. I did the adjustment on the bike without taking the tensioner out. It's running incredibly well, like it was brand new, it has loads more power and it is scary quick off the start. Could it be that I was only on three cylinders before and I am burning off the junk in the unused cylinder? Oh, I put the ngk bp6es spark plugs in like the book calls for. I really appreciate all of your prompt responses already guys, sincerely.

[bikerphil]

Is there any way for me to know if I bent a valve?

Yes, check the compression. If you have a bent valve, you'll have little or no compression in that cylinder.

[tenonry]

valve check tomorrow

I will do the valve check tomorrow and let you know what I find. Do I leave the other plugs in and just take them out one at a time? Is there going to be any difference in compression from one cylinder to the next? If it is a bent valve I really don't have the tools or shop to replace it, any idea what I am looking at to have a shop fix it? I bet it'll cost a kidney and my first-born male child....

[DiverRay]

White smoke is probably junk in the exhaust system. The 1978 XS1100 was ONLY a standard. You may have an early 1979 Special, probably build August or later of 1978. The easy way to tell is the front forks, and the engine and frame numbers. Specials have "leading axle" front forks, the Standard has the axle on the bottom of the front forks. This MAY make a difference in your bike.
If it seems to be running well, just ride it for a while! If it's a "new" rebuild engine, break it in easy the first 500 miles, change the oil, and ride a little harder the next 1,500 miles.
Welcome to the site!

[bikerphil]

Take all 4 out. Just put your thumb over the hole while cranking and it should pop if you have compression. Do all 4, see if they all pop. If you have a guage, even better. Should be around 140 on each cyl. with the throttle wide open. Hope this isn't the problem, but if it is, it's not too hard a fix. Better off doing any work on these bikes yourself, as most shops won't touch these old bikes. Good luck!

[tenonry]

your right, it's a 79 xs1100 special. I will post pictures, I just got a paint job with custom airbrushing. Looks freakin sick!

[Larrym]

When one of these engines loses 2 cylinders either from ignition or fuel problems then they run so poorly that you can barely climb a hill in 2'nd gear. One cylinder dropping out just makes it run a little "lumpy". Still runs but has poor acceleration.

My fingers are crossed for you here and the working theory is that one cylinder had a fouled plug which dumped a bunch of unburned fuel in your header/exhaust/muffler. That's not fatal and the RX Phil prescribed of running the bike with all four cylinders hitting is the best thing for the bike. (and YOU!)

The compression check will provide peace of mind. (Crossed fingers!!!!)

[tenonry]

Now that I think about it was backfiring a lot before I did the plugs and stuff. I hope it is only junk in the cylinder, man I hope.....