Smoke/Steam

[Shep]

Hi folks

Filled up with petrol last evening, on turning on the ignition, smoke/steam came from between the LH side of the tank and the instrument pod!! Had a quick sniff straight away and could'nt detect any burning smell, i suspect it came from the fuel pump(?) cover, if thats what it is.

Bike runs fine, no other problems at all.

Has anybody else noticed this, there seems to be water & various electrical connections under the cover in the area of concern.

Ideas??

Regards Shep

 

[birdseye]

Often get steam in rain / after washing where water sits deep down in the fins close to the crankcase. Also from the oil radiator. Since there is not water in the engine, it has to be something like that. Wouldnt think it was anything to worry about.

 

[GSmonkey]

I'd say the most likely cause is water running off from the oil cooler and dripping on the headers + boiling off.

When I put the bike away in the garage when its raining there are various pops and hisses as water drips onto hot bits.

 

[Shep]

Thanks for the prompt replies

It was definately just as the bike was switched on, the bike was dry with no chance of drips, the engine was not running, it was almost as if water had made sometype of electrical connection, then evaported almost as soon as current had passed through the short?

Regards Shep

 

[Dutchman]

Mmmmm.....

.......sounds very dodgy.........

I think your radiator has sprung a leak already.........

Cheers

Dutch

 

[birdseye]

Thanks for the prompt replies

It was definately just as the bike was switched on, the bike was dry with no chance of drips, the engine was not running, it was almost as if water had made sometype of electrical connection, then evaported almost as soon as current had passed through the short?

Regards Shep

Very much doubt the water / short possibility. To boil off water It would need to be way more serious than any short you are likely to get on a bike, that wouldnt at the same time disable it completely (eglike a battery dead short).

Water hangs round in various bits of bodywork (handguards for exaomple) long after a wash / rain. Same for the fins if you havent gone far to the petrol; station

Dont know what Dutch is saying about the oil filled radiator - if there were a small oil leak putting it onto the headers, it would happen with the engine running, and would give off a distinctive smell.

Has it done it since?

 

[Shep]

re Birdseye

No, not done it since.

I'll just have to keep an eye on it for now
The puff of smoke/steam only lasted a split second, exactly the same time as I switched on the ignition.

I've found a small hole drilled in the LH hand guard prevents the water collecting there.

Thanks Shep

 

[TerryM]

I think that Dutch was making a Cloggie/English joke!

 

[Dutchman]

I think that Dutch was making a Cloggie/English joke!

I think you might be right.............

Cheers

Dutch

 

[~Stef~]

Could be the thermostat

 

[Shep]

re Dutchman's comments

Perhaps topping up your little radiator with water could be the reason for being on your third bike in a year?

Regards Shep

 

[Dutchman]

re Dutchman's comments

Perhaps topping up your little radiator with water could be the reason for being on your third bike in a year?

Regards Shep

Aaahhhhh......I knew I must be doing something wrong.......

Cheers

Dutch