2003 Burning Oil

3390 Views 23 Replies 20 Participants Last post by techdude2000, Jul 18, 2010

SFWinger

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2010

Just got back from my first long trip on my 2003 GL1800A. 1,600mi. in 8 days from San Francisco to Mt. Shasta, to Crater Lake, to Lassen Volcanic Park and home. Fantastic trip!!!

In preparation, I decided to change my oil. Last change was 5,000mi. ago. I did it myself. Drained 2 qts. of very dirty oil out, added 4 qts of clean oil. I had no idea the oil was that low. I've only owned the bike for 1 year, and this was the first time I ever checked the oil. Dah!!! I figured it was a 2003 Honda with only 10,000mi on it, and it was invincible.

Well after I started my ride, it burned another quart in about 700 miles. So, it appears I've got a serious problem. Smokes when cold, seems to be alright when warm. The bottom 2 exhaust pipes look blacker than the other four. But its definitely burning oil. It was a year since my last oil change (but only 5,000mi), so who knows how long I ran it down 2 qts oil.

Anybody able to lend some advice.

novice oil checker,
brian.

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

TravelinLite

· #2 · Jul 13, 2010

Obviously, I would have no way of knowing the exact answer, but will make a few comments and you take as you wish.

Here is what I understand:
A 2003 with 10k miles
Poorly maintained
Using 1 quart per 700 miles

I suspect that the engine is quite dirty inside and there is a good chance the top end of the cylinders are in need of cleaning and possibly even a few piston rings not moving freely to seal the combustion chamber.

If it were mine I would install some very high detergent oil (I think Shell makes some for diesel engines) and use that for 1000 miles, change it and repeat, changing the filter each time. I would do this maybe three times. Also, and at the same time would use a top end cleaner. GM dealers sell a top end engine cleaner. Each time you change the oil, take it out and run it for 45 minutes or so at highway speeds.

Perhaps others will chime in.

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GoldWingrGreg

· #3 · Jul 13, 2010

Sounds like it is time for eng repair. I do that, usually overhauling engines when doing tranny repair though. Parts and labor for rings, bearings, gaskets, seals, fluids, and labor is about $1800.

Too Tall

· #4 · Jul 13, 2010

Trade it.

Teaser 1

· #5 · Jul 13, 2010

:shock: :shock: :shock: Unbelievable. I've never even heard of a Wing with under 200000 miles burning any significant amount of oil between changes. If this post is authentic, burning oil at that rate should be fouling plugs. I'm not sure of your problem either but sounds like maybe some gooked up stuck oil rings. :shrug: It's certainly not the norm. My 2006 with 45000 miles was bought new and maintained according to the factory recommendations of 4K then every 8K for oil changes with synthetics, it has never even been down to the dipsticks add line at 8K intervals.

rodie1200

· #6 · Jul 13, 2010

Could be a stopped up breather. I'm new to Goldwings myself, but don't they have some type of crankcase breather tube that gets stopped up and you have to clean out. Maybe it's pluged up and the crankcase preassure is causing the oil to blow by the rings?

Just a guess :shrug:

MS_Winger

· #7 · Jul 13, 2010

You didn't mention where you bought the bike, but in recent years there have been a number of bikes that were sold that were remnants of hurricanes and floods, either from Katrina or some from the Florida area. These bikes were flooded and sold w/o telling anyone the history. I imagine some even made it through the insurance claims system. Do insurance companies sell items that were totaled in flood claims? I don't know, but maybe. Just guessing. :shrug: Sorry for your troubles.

Grampawinger

· #8 · Jul 13, 2010

Get in touch with Honda and tell them. This problem is so unusual that they may stand by their product. They probably would want to know why themselves.

At least try.

.

hunzee

· #9 · Jul 13, 2010

The majority of engines that use oil that I have rebuilt have had stuck rings.

Going with the high detergent flush is the cheapest way if that can fix it. Doubtful if that will work, but worth a try.

Good post on the flooded bikes.

Bottom line is the engine probably has to come out. Take a look at the alternator drive and the shifting forks at the same time.

Grampawinger

· #10 · Jul 13, 2010

How easy is it to take an 03 with 200k on it and put in a new display or re-set the mileage?

.

WoadWunner

· #11 · Jul 13, 2010

Try adding Seafoam to your gas for a few tanks, 2-4 ounces per tank. . It eats carbon deposits so should clean out stuck rings or dirty valves. You can get it at Auto supply places.

coronawithlime

· #12 · Jul 13, 2010

MS_Winger said:
Do insurance companies sell items that were totaled in flood claims?

Around 2000 I personally bought a 1995 Sportster with 5000 miles in Houston. It had been in flooding. The insurance company totaled it and the new title reflected that it was salvage. I assume other states brand junked vehicles titles in a similar manner.

The Sportster, by the way, didn't require very much of anything beyond a thorough cleaning by running a ton of various fluids through everything and cleaning every single electrical connection. Took some time, but it ended up a very good ride and I made some money on resale.

Zackybilly1

· #13 · Jul 13, 2010

I don't think....

I don't think we have all the pieces to this puzzle.

Pull you plugs and see what you have.

Z

WVGuy

· #14 · Jul 14, 2010

SFWinger said:
The bottom 2 exhaust pipes look blacker than the other four. But its definitely burning oil. It was a year since my last oil change (but only 5,000mi), so who knows how long I ran it down 2 qts oil.

Anybody able to lend some advice.

novice oil checker,
brian.

Just thought I would mention, the 6 outlets on the mufflers tips are actually fake. The two mufflers each only have one real outlet which is aimed in a manner that most of the exhaust blows out through the bottom fake outlets, so the bottom two will always be the dirtiest looking. Look back in there with a flashlight and you'll see what I mean!

1wingman4u

· #15 · Jul 14, 2010

rodie1200 said:
Could be a stopped up breather. I'm new to Goldwings myself, but don't they have some type of crankcase breather tube that gets stopped up and you have to clean out. Maybe it's pluged up and the crankcase preassure is causing the oil to blow by the rings?

Just a guess :shrug:

First thing that went through my mind! Seafoam was the second thing...

Waldo

· #16 · Jul 14, 2010

SFWinger said:
Smokes when cold, seems to be alright when warm.
brian.

If it only smokes when cold and it's white smoke then that's typical condensation in the pipes. If you are burning oil at 1qt / 700 miles, the guy behind you is going to smell it and complain that he's got oil on his windshield and it will smoke ALL THE TIME. If it does not smoke when running then it's leaking somewhere but only under pressure. Is your coolant green or milky? Did your oil ever smell like gasoline?

White smoke = condensation/water jacket coolant leak
blue smoke = oil
black smoke = rich mixture

UNCLEJOHN

· #17 · Jul 14, 2010

what i no on car engines usually when it smokes only when cold most times its the valve seals- thats a lot of oil to burn in 700 miles- sure its not a skeeter chaser

Wingdreamer

· #18 · Jul 14, 2010

What about that clip for the clutch that breaks that causes the engine to suck oil through the oil pressure driven clutch slave (or something like that...) work with me here... I'm trying to remember a post from a long time ago that when this circlip failed, it caused the engine to literally suck the oil into the exhaust... somebody jump here... do you remember????

techdude2000

· #19 · Jul 14, 2010

The circlip issue caused the oil to be sprayed inside the clutch cover and was sucked into the crankcase vent and then the airbox. When this happens the thing will smoke like an 18 wheeler overloaded, climbing a huge mountain and it will do it continuosly until it runs out of oil.

rodie1200

· #20 · Jul 14, 2010

???????????
If it's not smoking that bad out the exhaust and you see no signs of leaks then something is not adding up.
How are you checking the oil on the side or center stand?
Are you screwing the dip-stick in all the way, if so DON'T!!!!
Put the bike on the center stand, make sure it is level.
Unscrew the dip-stick, wipe it off then stick it in but DON'T screw it in.
There is not much room on the stick from the bottom to the low oil or the low to the full mark.
Check your oil this way then ride it, and then go back and check it agian.
You may be over-filling it and it is blowing/burning it off.

Either it is burning oil or someone is stealing it??????

Just a thought :shrug:

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