Burning plastic smell?

surfndirt · 06-09-2016, 06:41 PM

Last few days I've noticed a faint burning plastic kinda smell from the bike, I'm at 2000 mi., not sure what it is. Seems to be centered under the gas tank / engine area, not exhaust. It isn't something I'm very worried about because it's nothing crazy strong...but I'll probably take the seat off and poke around this weekend.

On an unrelated note - I skipped the 500 mi valve check...planning to just do it at 2500mi. Have anyones valves ended up not needed adjustment?

rtking · 06-09-2016, 07:54 PM

Surfndirt - not sure how many miles you have on the bike. If fairly new, it could just be some oils that is burning off. But still worthwhile to check under the seat, just in case whether new or it has a few miles.

First thing I would check is that nothing is coming in contact with the header and mid-pipe. There is a fuel vapor cannister above the mid-pipe (and behind the thick steel frame member on the right side of the bike). Check to make sure that hasn't dropped down and contact the mid pipe. If that's well clear of the the exhaust pipe, then check around the engine for any wires or fuel lines that may be contacting the engine. Hopefully you'll be able to identify, isolate and resolve the problem if something is contacting the engine or exhaust pipe.

Aleong1967 · 06-10-2016, 12:53 AM

On mine I found a venting tube at the bottom of the gas tank running to evaporation canister, kinked and laying on top of the exhaust pipe.
It was burnt, but luckily not completely through
Will have to get CSC replace under warranty or if I am nice replace it myself with some car vacuum tubing

pyoungbl · 06-10-2016, 09:00 AM

When I checked my valves @ 600 miles they were all so tight that I could not get a .04mm feeler between the valve stem and rocker. That seems to be pretty common for the first check. The risk is that clearance will go to zero and you burn the valves or eat up the cam. Good luck.

2LZ · 06-10-2016, 10:24 AM

Like others said here, I'd pull the seat and check it out. Lift the tank up too and see if there's anything not in its right place. They jam a ton of hoses and wires under that tank.

I'd check the valves. It seems everyone's have been tight but mine, or those who have posted so far. Three out of four of mine were at .08mm but I'm glad I checked them. I didn't want to eat up the cam.

detours · 06-10-2016, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

When I checked my valves @ 600 miles they were all so tight that I could not get a .04mm feeler between the valve stem and rocker. That seems to be pretty common for the first check. The risk is that clearance will go to zero and you burn the valves or eat up the cam. Good luck.

Exactly, don't wait till 2500 miles. In many ways the first check is the most important because everything is wearing in. You need to make sure the clearances are correct and that the locknuts are good and tight.

surfndirt · 06-10-2016, 05:40 PM

Alright guys, I'll get on that valve adjustmen asap!!

And turns out...that's where my vinyl rain pant went...onto the exhaust header, that's a relief!

Lee R · 06-11-2016, 09:16 AM

I'd echo what everyone else said, check those valves. Both my intake valves were very tight at 500 miles. I think you'd risk damage waiting until 2500.

surfndirt · 06-11-2016, 09:28 AM

Dang, she's been running fine. Just got some stuff I'll need, I'll be doing it tomorrow morning :V

rtking · 06-11-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfndirt

Dang, she's been running fine. Just got some stuff I'll need, I'll be doing it tomorrow morning :V

Good luck on the valve job. Take your time and take plenty of breaks!

Glad to read that the burning smell was remnant vinyl from another source instead of the bike!

dpl096 · 06-11-2016, 11:29 AM

Good luck on the valve adjustment

surfndirt · 06-11-2016, 01:42 PM

How long has it taken yall first time around? From what I've read, the most time consuming part is taking everything off. A buddy of mine who's a honda/suzuki/kawi dealership mechanic will be supervising me for the adjustment part.

Ron B · 06-11-2016, 04:17 PM

Supervise hell!!! Throw a beer in his hand and tell him to get at it!

rtking · 06-11-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron B

Supervise hell!!! Throw a beer in his hand and tell him to get at it!

LOL!

Lee R · 06-11-2016, 11:08 PM

It takes about 3-5 hours for the first check. I take my time and clean up parts under the tank and have a good look around while I've got the panels off.

Honestly the panels come off really quick and easy on this bike, 15 minutes and everything's off and tanks tipped back so the valves are accessible. I don't remove the tank I just rotate it and tip it sideways with everything connected on a towel where the battery is then bungie it down so it doesn't fall off.

I spend the majority of the time trying to get feeler gauges into the exhaust valves.

I did the second check on mine today, 3000 miles on the bike and all 4 were at .04mm. They were all set at .08mm at 500 miles. I'll be sticking to 2500 mile checks until I see those things settle down, 5000 seems a bit too long.

06-09-2016, 06:41 PM	#1
surfndirt Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SC, USA Posts: 46	Burning plastic smell? Last few days I've noticed a faint burning plastic kinda smell from the bike, I'm at 2000 mi., not sure what it is. Seems to be centered under the gas tank / engine area, not exhaust. It isn't something I'm very worried about because it's nothing crazy strong...but I'll probably take the seat off and poke around this weekend. On an unrelated note - I skipped the 500 mi valve check...planning to just do it at 2500mi. Have anyones valves ended up not needed adjustment? __________________ '16 Red RX3, K270's, 13t Front, Fog lights, Tusk Bar Risers (4K mi.) '82 Suzuki SP250 (11k Miles) '85 Honda Rebel 250 (Sold April 2016)
	0

06-10-2016, 10:24 AM	#5
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,065	Like others said here, I'd pull the seat and check it out. Lift the tank up too and see if there's anything not in its right place. They jam a ton of hoses and wires under that tank. I'd check the valves. It seems everyone's have been tight but mine, or those who have posted so far. Three out of four of mine were at .08mm but I'm glad I checked them. I didn't want to eat up the cam. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	1

06-10-2016, 05:40 PM	#7
surfndirt Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SC, USA Posts: 46	Alright guys, I'll get on that valve adjustmen asap!! And turns out...that's where my vinyl rain pant went...onto the exhaust header, that's a relief! __________________ '16 Red RX3, K270's, 13t Front, Fog lights, Tusk Bar Risers (4K mi.) '82 Suzuki SP250 (11k Miles) '85 Honda Rebel 250 (Sold April 2016)
	2

06-11-2016, 09:28 AM	#9
surfndirt Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SC, USA Posts: 46	Dang, she's been running fine. Just got some stuff I'll need, I'll be doing it tomorrow morning :V __________________ '16 Red RX3, K270's, 13t Front, Fog lights, Tusk Bar Risers (4K mi.) '82 Suzuki SP250 (11k Miles) '85 Honda Rebel 250 (Sold April 2016)
	0

06-11-2016, 11:29 AM	#11
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Good luck on the valve adjustment __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
	1

06-09-2016, 07:54 PM	#2
rtking Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 410	Surfndirt - not sure how many miles you have on the bike. If fairly new, it could just be some oils that is burning off. But still worthwhile to check under the seat, just in case whether new or it has a few miles. First thing I would check is that nothing is coming in contact with the header and mid-pipe. There is a fuel vapor cannister above the mid-pipe (and behind the thick steel frame member on the right side of the bike). Check to make sure that hasn't dropped down and contact the mid pipe. If that's well clear of the the exhaust pipe, then check around the engine for any wires or fuel lines that may be contacting the engine. Hopefully you'll be able to identify, isolate and resolve the problem if something is contacting the engine or exhaust pipe.
	0

06-10-2016, 12:53 AM	#3
Aleong1967 Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 57	On mine I found a venting tube at the bottom of the gas tank running to evaporation canister, kinked and laying on top of the exhaust pipe. It was burnt, but luckily not completely through Will have to get CSC replace under warranty or if I am nice replace it myself with some car vacuum tubing
	1

06-10-2016, 09:00 AM	#4
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	When I checked my valves @ 600 miles they were all so tight that I could not get a .04mm feeler between the valve stem and rocker. That seems to be pretty common for the first check. The risk is that clearance will go to zero and you burn the valves or eat up the cam. Good luck.
	1

06-11-2016, 09:16 AM	#8
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	I'd echo what everyone else said, check those valves. Both my intake valves were very tight at 500 miles. I think you'd risk damage waiting until 2500.
	0

06-11-2016, 01:42 PM	#12
surfndirt Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SC, USA Posts: 46	How long has it taken yall first time around? From what I've read, the most time consuming part is taking everything off. A buddy of mine who's a honda/suzuki/kawi dealership mechanic will be supervising me for the adjustment part. __________________ '16 Red RX3, K270's, 13t Front, Fog lights, Tusk Bar Risers (4K mi.) '82 Suzuki SP250 (11k Miles) '85 Honda Rebel 250 (Sold April 2016)
	0

06-11-2016, 04:17 PM	#13
Ron B Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Tuscaloosa Al. Posts: 433	Supervise hell!!! Throw a beer in his hand and tell him to get at it! __________________ Wingless Hawk, 2016 orange RX3, 97 wide glide,2003 KLR
	3

06-11-2016, 11:08 PM	#15
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	It takes about 3-5 hours for the first check. I take my time and clean up parts under the tank and have a good look around while I've got the panels off. Honestly the panels come off really quick and easy on this bike, 15 minutes and everything's off and tanks tipped back so the valves are accessible. I don't remove the tank I just rotate it and tip it sideways with everything connected on a towel where the battery is then bungie it down so it doesn't fall off. I spend the majority of the time trying to get feeler gauges into the exhaust valves. I did the second check on mine today, 3000 miles on the bike and all 4 were at .04mm. They were all set at .08mm at 500 miles. I'll be sticking to 2500 mile checks until I see those things settle down, 5000 seems a bit too long.
	2