Okay, my 400ex is now 3 weeks old, just finished burning the first tank of gas. I changed the oil like the owners manual called for. Me and my buddies went ridding today and they saw a blueish whiteish color of smoke comming out of my tail pipe. Is this normal during the breakin period? And if not then what might be wrong. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bryan

 

i would possibly change to a higher quality oil than the honda stuff after break in. i have had great success with mobil 1 15w-50. this is a full synthetic without the friction modifiers that are hard on wet clutches. i have also heard great stuff about amsoil and maxima. don't run synthetic until it is fully broke in. remember to check your oil frequently as the 400ex tends to use a bit.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much right now unless;
1. It smokes all the time, like at idle of lower RPMs.
2. Starts consuming oil.
Like Cals400EX suggested, use a good quality motorcycle oil. What kind of oil did you put in?

 

You didn't accidently fill your tank up with the premix Lawnboy gas did you? LOL JK, I knew a guy once.

 

Thanks for the info. When i changed the oil i used honda GN4 10w-40 SJ. What the dealer told me to use. And also it only smokes when you you rev the motor, not a idle. OH yeah, did not put premix in it either. I have a Cr 80 also and i know the diff between hightest and premix. Thanks.

Bryan

 

It was a joke man, laugh a little.

 

Ok, i did laugh a lil. But im just steamed about my new 400 already starting to smoke. I just dont get it, i mean i know 4 strokes arnt ment to smoke, and most of the time if they do then oil is getting past the rings. Im not ridding it that hard, i took it easy for the first tank, and just steped it up a lil bit. But what's got me asking questions is that the only time it smokes is at higher rpms. Like you pin the throttle for a slpit second and then it smokes till the motor come back to an idle. Should i take itback to the shop, its still under warranty, or should i just wait and see if it gets worse?

Bryan

 

if it's under warranty than take it back. you never know it may be a factory defect. heck the first time I went off a jump my foot pegs broke. turns out they forgot to weld them together. each peg had like 2 little spot welds. so I know first hand that some times they mess up. at least let them look it over and tell you what they think.

 

Ok, i called the dealer, they told me to give it a few more days but would be more then happy to look at it for me now. Also the head mechanic told me that it sounds like a fuel related problem to him. He asked me if the air filter was dirty, because he said a dirty air filter will cause it to run rich which causes it to smoke. Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks.

Bryan

 

i think the dealer is feeding you a line of crap or they don't know. i have a feeling that they oil is just starting to break down a little bit. dino oil won't withstand the heat of most synthetics and we all know these air cooled ex's get hot. after break in i would just change brands of oil.