View Full Version : Major Panic Smoke from my Curvey!!
TheShadow
10-03-08, 05:48 PM
I just washed my new 2000 plate curvy for the first time. On trying to start after washing i got a plumth of smoke and then nothing. Trying to start it now turns over the engine but the bike will not start.
The smoke came from around the front end of the bike underneath the fuel tank.
Please help any ideas of what could have happened?
TheShadow
10-03-08, 05:56 PM
Ok i have tried leaving it a few minutes and trying again. The bike will turn over and fire a few times but i cannot get it to start. The smell was definitely electrical smelling.
Ok, let's not panic just yet, if it actually ran for any time at all you will get a cloud of steam off the rapidly heating exhaust and engine block, this will often end up coming up through the fairing and under the tank.
On a seperate note the engine is turning but not running. You may have water in places it shouldn't be (stop me if I get too techie;))
Use some WD40 on the:
Kill switch
Front Spark plug cap (remove it, then dry the area first)
Side stand switch
Clutch switch
HTH
Jambo
Not sure what to say realy, has the bike ever been out in the rain before, its rahter od that you should get that level of smoke. The only think I can say is stay but poping the tank up and checking your airbox is fitted right and that you can get a spark of the plugs.
Additional:
After your 2nd post I'd definatly think water in one of the plug caps would be a likley candidate. The front is more exposed so runs a greater risk of being drowned during a good wash.
On a seperate note, 1st clean of a 2000 model SV, going a full 8 years beats my record, I'm impressed ;)
TheShadow
10-03-08, 06:04 PM
Additional:
After your 2nd post I'd definatly think water in one of the plug caps would be a likley candidate. The front is more exposed so runs a greater risk of being drowned during a good wash.
On a seperate note, 1st clean of a 2000 model SV, going a full 8 years beats my record, I'm impressed ;)
I only got the sv last week!
Did you use a pressure washer? Might have managed to blast it somewhere where it shouldn't be.
TheShadow
10-03-08, 06:26 PM
No pressure washer just the hose.
Ok i got it going went out for a short ride and came back. When the bike did get going it sounded as if it was firing on one and it took some coaxing to get it to fire on 2.
When i parked up the bike letting it ideas the coolant light came one. ( The bright red round one on the dials)
Just noticed the coolant bottle shows no coolant not sure weather its related or not.
No coolant would indicate a leak or possibly a cracked radiator? Any other possible causes? (Theres no coolant in the oil so that i can see)
Definitely check front sparky.
They are known to misfire when wet. Clever suzuki really need to have fenda extendas as standard.
Without meaning to insult your intelligence, are you sure its a coolant light? I haven't looked at my warning lights on my SV before (never had any come on) so can't remeber to hand if the red light is oil or coolant.
The coolant temp light is the one in the tacho, the one on the right side light cluster is the oil pressure light, if the bike is not running it should be on, if its on when you start the bike, stop the engine straight away.
The coolant bottle on a curvey seems to have a rubish sight level (the white bit) i can hardly see it myself, check directly on the radiator cap (when engine is cool).
Or add a little blue food colouring to the coolant and it makes it a bit easier to see.
TheShadow
10-03-08, 07:47 PM
Its definitely the temperature light as its on the tacho.
Upon looking at the levels when shaking the bike from side to side in an upright position I can see no coolant in the bottle.
I will take the tank of tomorrow and inspect the coolant properly
The bike as it is now will not extinguish the coolant temp light unless its upright so I assume I am low on coolant.
You should be able to get to the rad cap from behind the right fairing pannel.
Biker Biggles
10-03-08, 07:58 PM
You do need to check your coolant as you should all your levels,but I think your starting problem is likely to be water in the electrics after washing it.The white smoke could have been it spitting back through the carbs perhaps?Get the front plug out and make sure it is dry and the drain hole is clear,then see if it runs ok.
Its definitely the temperature light as its on the tacho.
Upon looking at the levels when shaking the bike from side to side in an upright position I can see no coolant in the bottle.
I will take the tank of tomorrow and inspect the coolant properly
The bike as it is now will not extinguish the coolant temp light unless its upright so I assume I am low on coolant.
its not a coolant level sensor, just a temp sensor.
When I changed my coolant a couple of weeks ago I found the link pipe betwen the filler bottle and rad was blocked. In he tight U bend as it comes off the filler bottle.
ukrobuk
10-03-08, 08:32 PM
If you got it from the shop, take it back they should sort it all out.
TheShadow
10-03-08, 09:30 PM
The bike was purchased as a private sale.
This is my first proper bike you see , so my mechanicle knowledge is very basic.
I will check all levels and refil coolant tomorrow and look for leaks.
As far as my electrical fault is concerned are there any fixes for this problem?
-Ralph-
10-03-08, 10:03 PM
The smell was definitely electrical smelling.
I'm not much use technically with electrics, but I can say don't panic!
If it's electrical, your engines not fecked, it's not terminal, it can be repaired, and it shouldn't be really expensive. Probably just water from the wash got where it shouldn't and short circuited a single component that can be replaced. Have a beer while you try figure out what it was.
The problem with all the SV's is that the front plug can get water on it, now on the head there is a drain hole, but it can get easily blocked up. Now if you have access to a hayness manual it should detail it in there, but if the hole is blocked and you just wash is then its possible that you flooded the front. From you discription of trying to get it to run I would say that is the most likely of problems.
Inaddition its possible that the spark plug at the front has been exposed to this over a long period of time, when its dry its OK, but a bit of damp and the thing has given up. So look at replacing it, a good test is to swap if with the one at the back, plus it means if you haven't been able to get one then the back plug is much easier to get to.
As for the rad, it sound like you have 2 issues, so will also need to be delt with...
TheShadow
11-03-08, 11:24 AM
Currently unable to get the seat off so I cannot remove the tank to fill the coolant bottle, The bolts are completely seized and have been stripped by the previous owner.
I managed to get the side fairing off to fill the rad directly but not the filler spout there was plenty fluid in there.
So I will go about replacing those stripped bolts to the seats tomorrow if the dealer has some replacements.
The bike will be fully services on Saturday while I am there I will check this drain hole.
Many thanks for all the help.
TheShadow
14-03-08, 06:21 PM
Coolant levels where fine! it turned out to be the wire for the coolant sensor shorting due to moisture.
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