Oily exhaust build-up!

[cgos4r]

The bike is an '06 S4R with Remus exhaust and a Power Commander PCIII. It has 2900 miles on it. The bike doesn't smoke on start up or to my knowledge under acceleration. The front cylinder exhaust can has an oily, sooty build up in it. It's like sludge. I haven't noticed excessive oil consumption, but then again, it's stored most of the time. The other can has soot, so it looks like the bike is running a bit rich. I was going to put it on a dyno and have the map checked on the Power Commander, but then I discovered this. This isn't good whatever it is, but with such low miles I'm a bit stumped at the moment about why oil is blowing by. Last time I changed the oil, I over filled it a tiny bit, but just about on the max line. Ideas? Valve guides, rings, sitting too much?

Thanks in advance!

[ducpainter]

Are you sure it's oily and not just damp soot? Most Duc systems have a crossover in the pipes and one can will put out more vapor than the other.

[cgos4r]

Yes, it hasn't been started in about a week, so no condensation. It is definitely oil. I'm wondering if due to the low miles, if the rings have seated all the way. Perhaps from the angle of the front cylinder, oil is just barely seeping by the valve guides when not running (I've seen oil pool in the front head of other ducs) and when it is started it blows by. I dunno...

[cgos4r]

Anyone?

[pintsizejesus]

Are you sure it's not water mixing with the soot?  Especially since winter is starting to end the moisture in your oil that makes your sight glass white is going to be burned off and it needs to go somewhere but yours may be different, I don't know where you live ha.  You don't have many miles on the bike so I don't know why it would be a ring.  I think the s2r1k's had an issue with valve guides going bad but I'm not sure about your motor.  You could look into that and see if your bike fits those symptoms but I would let someone chime in that knows more about the s4r.

[Howie]

Is there any blue smoke?  Is the spark plug oily?  If the answer is no to these questions you are probably looking at wet soot.

[cgos4r]

I haven't noticed any smoke. I'm going to check the plugs next to see what's going on in there.

Thanks!

[cgos4r]

Well, for one thing the oil/fuel mixture is rich (I already knew that), and for another, the HZ cylinder has an oily plug. Not much, but mainly on the plug's threads. It's clean looking oil, not black and burnt.

[cgos4r]

Any thoughts?

[Langanobob]

Any thoughts?

Well, since you asked...  

I think there is sometimes a thin line between being astute and observant and worrying about things maybe too much.  If it were mine I'd  just ride the thing.   [moto]

[cgos4r]

Well, since you asked...  

I think there is sometimes a thin line between being astute and observant and worrying about things maybe too much.  If it were mine I'd  just ride the thing.   [moto]

Indeed! I am a perfectionist and sometimes I end up worrying and fretting over things more than enjoying them. My brother gave me the same advice. I will take this advice and ride the dam thing until something really needs fixing or it blows up from under me.  Maybe I just need to ride it harder and get those rings seated properly! Thanks again.