Author Topic: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550  (Read 2758 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

550_ko

  • Guest
recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« on: November 13, 2005, 06:15:19 AM »
How soon after a rebuild (rings, pistons, bore, valves, etc)  should you do a  compression  test?

I did one after 350 or so  miles because the breather tube was smoking and I was curious if it was blow by.  The numbers seem  okay (but the variation worries me a bit):

#4 151,  #3 156,  #2 151,  #1 165

Should I be concerned by the breather tube smoke or variation?   Have the rings had time to seat?
And I don't have an electric start so I kicked it over a few dozen times, does this effect the numbers?

By the way.  Warm engine, choke open, throttle locked open, no air filters.  Also doing the old fashioned break-in procedure.

Thanks.

Offline ProTeal55

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,887
  • Est1968.com
    • Joe's Barbershop Chicago
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2005, 08:09:38 AM »
I know people have their own opinions about this , but smoke comming from a breather is normal.
Weather is be on a motorcycle , car , or a 2,000 hp offshore powerboat.
The "smoke" looks to be greater in colder weather , for obvious reasons.
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline Jay B

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 763
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2005, 08:36:48 AM »
You've got right at 10% variation between the high and low cylinders. I'd be pleased with those numbers. They might get a little closer as the engine wears in more.
Jay
'77 CB550K
'74 CB350F cafe
2001 Road King
'73 CB175

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2005, 09:48:04 AM »
Unless I was racing, I wouldn't worry about those numbers if the engine is running well.

The valves and cam also contribute to those compression numbers.  Numbers could vary by uneven tappet clearances and cam lobe wear.  Did you check your cam for wear and lift specifications when you had it apart?  The K0 can have issues with cam cover rocker shaft hole wear, which mucks up the geometry and advances wear of the cam lobes and cam followers.

Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2005, 04:42:38 PM »
Beauty,
Honda fixed the rocker shaft problem somewhere in the mid 76 year.  Certainly the 77 Cam cover had the fix in it, replacing eight rocker shafts with 4 longer ones and a pinch bolt to hold each in place.

I wouldn't expect a blow by issue with your compression numbers.  You should expect some vapor from the breather.  White would be best as that is water vapor.   You might notice the amount of vapor coincides with the humidity level in the air and the temps.  It should also cease after the engine has been at full operating temp for 15-20 minutes.  After that, all the water should have evaporated from the engine.

Cheers,
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2005, 02:06:18 PM »
At what point in the ride do you feel the engine got to full operating temp?  How long after that time did you check the breather tube?

Tell me about your breather tube routing.  Doesn't seem like it could be stock.
What was the outside temp and humidity before/after the ride?  What about humidity during storage and last cool down cycle.

If you catch and save what drips, how long does it take to evaporate away and what is the residue that is left behind?

You say it smells like gasoline. Remove some of the drips from the vehicle and try lighting them off with open flame in a separate shallow container in a safe area.  If it is gas, it should burn vigorously, whoosh.  If it is water, it will be tenous to light off.   And, water will splatter and spit when heated.  (eye protection).

Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: recent rebuild, breather tube smoke, compression test cb550
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2005, 08:43:00 PM »
Those conditions are ripe for condensation buildup on a daily basis whether it runs or not.
35% humidity during the high temp of the day, can become much higher during the night.  When the temperature falls to a point where the moisture can't be held gaseous, then fog or condensation occurs.
If you are getting dew or frost on surfaces outside overnight, you will get condensation buildup inside your engine, unless you have a heated garage.  Once water gets in there, you need 212 degrees to boil it off as steam.  Or, you need to expose the water to a low humidity atmosphere for it to evaporate into it and then be expelled into the atmosphere.
Honda used the air filter box vacuum to draw the vapors from the crankcase.  The partial vacuum also helps speed the vaporization of the water and sends it through the engine combustion cycle.

A tube vented directly to atmosphere can suck in a fresh humidity charge every day when the air expands and contracts with temperature changes.  Anytime the heat of the engine inside is greater than that outside, condensation can occur inside the engine.  In your case, you have no positive crankcase ventillation  (PCV).

I seem to recall older car engines before PCV and recirculation into the induction system.  They had at least two outside vents.  one near the bottom and one near the top of the engine.  This would allow for some kind of flow through the engine which would aid in vaporization. The CB550 only has the one vent, I believe.

In the winter here in CA, my Cb550s have a hard time getting the water and vapor out of the engine. About once a month during rainy season, I'll notice what looks like brown mayonaise on the dipstick body during and oil level check.  I learned that this usually means the breather element in the filter box is soaked with condensation, plugging of the breather.  A day or two after clearing, drying, the foam and a good 25-30 minute stint on the freeway, and the mayonaise goes away.

If you desire to keep the open breather tube, you might consider plugging it during times of non-operation.  Or, perhaps connect a canister of dessicant to the tube, during storage, to keep the air contents dry going into the engine.

I also speculate that your oil cooler is exacerbating your problem.  It is likely keeping your oil at a good operating temp.  But, for the temperature conditions in which the engine is operating, the added mass is over cooling the motor as a whole, and not allowing the engine to achieve temperatures high enough to effectively vaporize the water vapor.  You could also try covering your oil cooler and blocking the airflow through it.  I can't believe you need an oil cooler unless in very hot weather and running the engine very hard.  50 degrees F ambient temp is hardly a taxing environment for that motor.

Cheers,



Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.