steam

[M&T82WING]

Hi everyone Happy Thanksgiven
I just noticed that our 82 Interstate when warming up after sitting for a few weeks after about 1 or 2 minites at 3000rpm with the choke out it starts to smoke well it disapates quickly and the inside of the exhaust tip is black sotty looking it'll do this till I push the choke in a little the rpms drop then it almost all of it goes away except just a very little when it reach's full operating tempeture its all clear'd up. I did check the coolent level and its down to the add line, I checked the oil and it's clear no coolent there so it must have a head gasket on its way out this only happens on the right side exhaust. I havent pulled the plugs yet but I will befor I cold start it again and shut it down when it starts making steam again to see wich cylinder is going away. I think I have it figured out I just want to make sure I didnt miss anything or is this a normal thing with Goldwings this bike has only 49k miles on it? Thanks for any sugestion's with this I want fix this befor it get's worse.
Mark & Tamilee

[David.Mac]

My 1992 1500 GL Aspencade (146000 Km) does this after being on the side-stand for a few days. Although the bike is tilted to the left, the steam comes out of the right side exhaust!?? According to the forum here in Germany, this is normal - Goldwings don't like being long on the side-stand. I also checked oil and coolant, no noticable consumption and no mixing oil in coolant and vice-versa.

[3W-lonerider]

this is normal, hot exhaust condensing inside cold mufflers will produce water which in turn produces steam. i ride a trike and mine does it out both exhaust pipes till it's warmed up.

[WingAdmin]

this is normal, hot exhaust condensing inside cold mufflers will produce water which in turn produces steam. i ride a trike and mine does it out both exhaust pipes till it's warmed up.

Yup, and you'll notice this happening a lot more on cold days when it takes longer for the exhaust to warm up to normal operating temperature.

This is also WHY you want the exhaust to heat up to normal operating temperature. You don't want that condensed moisture to sit inside your exhaust, because it will rust it out from the inside. Make sure the engine (and exhaust) is good and hot before shutting down.

[Wingrider54]

Newbie here. Just reading and my 2000 1500 does the same thing. Smoke/steam comes from up around the stearing column area. 1 person told me to check radiator for leaks etc.

[WingAdmin]

You definitely should not have steam coming up from around the triple tree (steering column). There is a lot of plumbing in and around there that can leak coolant/steam, unfortunately.

[Wingrider54]

Actually I have had electrical issues down there before. Repaired the harness on the celenoid 2 years ago. Now this summer charging issues. Shop says it is alternator, but yes when asked them about this smoke issue, they say alternator would take care of that.

U guessed it. I am confused.

[WingAdmin]

Is it smoke or steam? Smoke means something is burning. Steam means coolant is leaking.

[Wingrider54]

This is reply to this question from someone on LD Riders list. Sound logical to me.

radiator connections.
it has been awhile since i played with the 1500's butt "smoke" from that area suggest to me the connections to the radiators/water pump/T-stat housing are loose and a small amount is seeping out.
OR
the connection to the carb heater is loose and until the metal housing heats up and expands you get some drivel leak-by or a small amount is burning off until the engine warms up.
for either you should smell a sweet aroma. check the coolant overflow tank level. under the left hand side plactic shroud. the right side is the rad cap. make sure that one is screwed on properly as well.

[M&T82WING]

I beleive its steam it disolves & disapates unlike smoke that drifts away noticable a little longer. I made sure the coolent level was at the full line befor the last ride and checked befor I started it up and it was at the add line. So the coolent is going some where maybe out the exhaust while warming up and while running down the road it's not going into the oil so far. As the mistory unfolds I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks for all who replyed its good to hear from other parts of the world and close to home. The steam from around the stearing head though sure dosen't good how a charging system fix's a coolent problem just dosent make any sence to me at all. Weather hasnt been all that good for rideing I want to get1 more in befor I put her away for the winter I'm not very comfertable with the way our bike handels in wet weather in panic stop the back end wants to go where it wants to. I think these early 80's Goldwings are a little nose heavy or maybe I've been riding a chopper to long.
Mark & Tammilee

[Wingrider54]

Funny thing after I started raising these questions to my shop today he has since taken the alternator out and says he found a Honda dealer that says they want to look at it before replacing.

Is also going in and check out connections for anti freeze etc.

See what tommorow brings.

[WingAdmin]

Like Wingrider said, if it is coolant, it will have a very distinct sweet smell to it - it's unmistakable.

[Wingrider54]

Before it leaves the shop we are going to idle it for a while and make sure *ALL* issues are dealt with.

Thanks for your help.

[cobraguy]

The only smoke I can see is the smoke the shop is trying to blow up your @$$. Good luck hope it all comes back OK.

[M&T82WING]

This bike is like a rebel of some sort I just dont know whats its going to next it let out steam one day then after its for a few weeks on level surface with a 2X4 under the side stand and old couch cushion against the wall so it sits as if its on its center stand except both wheels have the bikes weight on them. Its about 29 out or so I check the oil looks good, check the coolent level just where it was befor at the add mark. trun the key hit the starter cranks for about 10 seconds just as I let go of the buttom she fires up just like my VT1100 Shadow & my CB900C did sometimes. Runs a little rough for a few seconds clears up starts then smoking blue & white color I know thats oil it'll do this for a few minites till the rpms are getting up around 3500 I push the choke in a little the rpms drop a little the smoke starts clearing up then stops. Then after about 3 or 4 minites I push the choke in the rpms drop the right around 950 or 1000 rpms so I let it run till the heat gage says warm and thats where it runs all day no matter how hot it gets so far anyway. I'm guessing the valve seals are on the way out still havent found any rebuilding kits or high peformance pitstons and cams I remember hearing about someone who put belt driven blower on one,, That would be a blast to ride LOL .
M&T82wing

[WingAdmin]

That start-up operation sounds just about right for a 1100.