Oil Burning at WOT - Any Easy Fix?

[Lotsokids]

When I open up my FJ to high RPM, it seems that I'm getting some oil blow-by. I need to add oil consistently if I'm driving riding it hard. Friends have observed this and asked if my bike is a diesel. Ha ha. I found a way to rig my GoPro on the rear footpeg to capture a video of this. When I have time, I'll see for myself.

I am a big fan of "Engine Restorer" for auto use, but I am very careful about additives in motorcycle oil because of the wet clutch. I owned a ZX-11, and the previous owner put something in the oil that destroyed half of the clutch disks (sitting in additive). I don't run synthetic oil, because in my mind I don't understand adding super slippery oil to clutch disks. I don't intend to debate that here, though.

Any options besides an engine rebuild? I can rebuild it, but I would rather not. My engine has nearly 48,000 miles.

[red]

When I open up my FJ to high RPM, it seems that I'm getting some oil blow-by. I need to add oil consistently if I'm driving riding it hard. Friends have observed this and asked if my bike is a diesel. Ha ha. I found a way to rig my GoPro on the rear footpeg to capture a video of this. When I have time, I'll see for myself.
I am a big fan of "Engine Restorer" for auto use, but I am very careful about additives in motorcycle oil because of the wet clutch. I owned a ZX-11, and the previous owner put something in the oil that destroyed half of the clutch disks (sitting in additive). I don't run synthetic oil, because in my mind I don't understand adding super slippery oil to clutch disks. I don't intend to debate that here, though.
Any options besides an engine rebuild? I can rebuild it, but I would rather not. My engine has nearly 48,000 miles.

Lotskids,

Around here, that is a low-mileage engine.  Your rings may simply be gunked up and sticky.  Try some Yamaha Ring-Free, which has a very good reputation here.  Can't hurt, might help.

Cheers,
Red

[mz_rider]

When I open up my FJ to high RPM, it seems that I'm getting some oil blow-by. I need to add oil consistently if I'm driving riding it hard. Friends have observed this and asked if my bike is a diesel. Ha ha. I found a way to rig my GoPro on the rear footpeg to capture a video of this. When I have time, I'll see for myself.

I am a big fan of "Engine Restorer" for auto use, but I am very careful about additives in motorcycle oil because of the wet clutch. I owned a ZX-11, and the previous owner put something in the oil that destroyed half of the clutch disks (sitting in additive). I don't run synthetic oil, because in my mind I don't understand adding super slippery oil to clutch disks. I don't intend to debate that here, though.

Any options besides an engine rebuild? I can rebuild it, but I would rather not. My engine has nearly 48,000 miles.

I've been riding FJs for 21 years and 190,000 miles and have kept an eye on the oil consumption. Mine burned very little until 40-50,000 miles then gradually increased from there on. My newer bike at 84,000 miles does 1,600 miles/pint (4,500 km/litre) and the older bike at 135,000 miles uses about twice as much. Riders following me have reported some smoke during hard acceleration. This consumption worries me not at all. Both bikes have never been apart and run fine. I do about 8,000 miles per year on the newer bike and oil consumption (excluding oil changes) works out at £20 ($30) of fully synthetic per year. There's no way I'd strip an engine to save that and maybe burning some oil will stop the exhaust system rotting! 

I can't see any additive helping oil consumption due to wear in the rings, seals etc.

[Pat Conlon]

Mark, what kind of compression numbers do you have?

[andyb]

Is it at WOT, or on trailing throttle at high revs? The latter indicates valve seals.

I've never seen anything fixed with a product from a can.

[Lotsokids]

Mark, what kind of compression numbers do you have?

Not sure. I'd have to dig around and see if I have a tester.

Is it at WOT, or on trailing throttle at high revs? The latter indicates valve seals.

Interesting info. When I get the video, we'll know better.

[ribbert]

I've never seen anything fixed with a product from a can.

Have you never heard of Beer?

Noel

[FJmonkey]

I've never seen anything fixed with a product from a can.

Have you never heard of Beer?

Noel

Not sure if FIXED applies to beer (alcohol) unless considered in the short term... But the possibilities are out there (a hankering for a can of beer comes to mind), I am having one now, good reply Noel.

[ribbert]

When I open up my FJ to high RPM, it seems that I'm getting some oil blow-by. I need to add oil consistently if I'm driving riding it hard.

Any options besides an engine rebuild? I can rebuild it, but I would rather not. My engine has nearly 48,000 miles.

Pat's been handing out some advice recently that I think pretty much deals with your problem.

That's not many miles. If it still goes like the clappers and has no other issues, refer to Pat's advice, unless of course you are just busting for an excuse to pull it apart, you wouldn't be the first.

Don't underestimate the cost of "just" a top end freshen up. It cost me $1300 all up to go one piston size up and I didn't even touch the head.

Last week I did 2500km, most of it between 4000-6000 rpm and easy on the throttle, I was touring and the sections I would normally have thrashed it through were wet. It used no oil, but if I go for a day fang in the hills and only do 600-700km but use all of the tacho and throttle, it will use oil.
A litre of oil is a very cheap day for that much fun.

Noel


Noel

[Lotsokids]

Just got a video you guys can analyze. You can tell when I pour on the fuel, it blows smoke. But it looks white. Usually blue = oil, and black = fuel.

On a second video, it puffed a little smoke exactly when I shifted (clutch in, throttle off). What does that mean?

[charleygofast]

Mine had the  white smokies for the first 500 or so miles after I brought her back to life (at35,000)  I  replaced the valve stem seals...and it stopped, I'm no expert FJ mechanic but its something to consider.                                                                                                                                                                                        Charley.

[FJmonkey]

I have seen worse, not that I want to admit I was not in front... When the rider behind you needs to pull over and clean the oil off his visor then you have a problem...