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GL1500 grey smoke at start up

1562 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  redwing52
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Hi everyone.. I am seeing a gray smoke at start up after sitting over night..side stand or center stand doesn't matter..

Started about a week ago and is getting worse each day.

It clears up after a few seconds and the oil levels look good. (in fact I just changed it last week) Oil level is at proper levels.

Has anyone have this happen on their GL1500?

I am yet to pull spark plugs to see if there is a suspect cylinder with a leaking valve guide seal.

It is reminding me of my GL1200 that would smoke on start up..

I'll pull the plugs tonight & inspect for oil fouling

Do a compression check

Any suggestions would be comforting..
:(
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You do an oil change recently?
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Grey smoke is fuel, blue is oil. Check the plugs. They should all have a nice grey/white residue on them. Sounds like you have a slight fuel leak into one cylinder. When was the last time you checked your plugs?
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mine has been doing it since i've had it. they say that is the goldwing's signature. smokes for just a minute or two. mine smokes so much somtimes when it's really cold out that i fog the yard. i take a lot of abuse for it too:action:
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Quiet Thunder wrote:
Grey smoke is fuel, blue is oil. Check the plugs. They should all have a nice grey/white residue on them. Sounds like you have a slight fuel leak into one cylinder. When was the last time you checked your plugs?
I changed the plugs about 4 weeks ago.

I am sure hoping it is fuel related. I did run some seafoam through just this past week to help clean up a slight burbling when cruising in OD (which it did..)

It runs great now but I am fearing that I have opened another can of worms on this..
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Rudy wrote:
You do an oil change recently?
Yes just this past week A week ago today aamof...

10w40 Valovline semi synthetic blend..
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Was thinking high oil level despite the color of the smoke.
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Me too, and it was a bit high so i drained it down. so it is between the two marks
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Okay so an update on this issue.

I checked the Spark plugs which looked fine

Compression is 165 across the board..

I resynced the carbs.

The oil level is between the marks.

If left onthe cneter stand the bike will not puff smoke when starting up

If left on side stand, it puffs after sitting over night or a period of time

I am running some seafoam through the gas to see if there is any crap in the fuel..


I'mstarting to think this is a valve seal issue.
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Mine did the same thing after about a week or more of below freezing when I started it up.
That is normal on the 1500 Gold Wing. When left on the side stand a small amount of oil will seep past the ring and smoke a little on start up. Nothing to worry about
Park on the center stand whenever you can

That is normal on the 1500 Gold Wing. When left on the side stand a small amount of oil will seep past the ring and smoke a little on start up. Nothing to worry about
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In all probability there is probably not an issue. If moisture is mixed with any type of oil substance you can get gray smoke. In the cool months there will be more condensation in the exhaust etc. There is probably a certain amount of carbon/sludge in the muffler as well. Especially if the bike uses a little oil. In the cooler weather the extra condensation sits with the carbon and mixes. When you start the bike it will burn the water and a certain amount of carbon with it. That is probably your gray smoke.
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