Hey guys! I just got my first Savage ('99) this weekend from a Suzuki dealer. Love it, but after riding around, realized that once the engine heats up, it emits really wispy white smoke, straight from the block. Anyone had this issue? It has super low mileage (~7,000 mi) given the age, so obviously was sitting for a while. Could this be just gunk burning off? Nothing's coming from the exhaust, just the engine itself, and it runs pretty well, maybe some rattling and backfiring, but figured that was an age thing...Thanks for any ideas! Will contact the dealer (they're closed on Sundays), but thought I'd try here too...

White smoke indicates water,... or blueish/white, oil...

If it seems to be just a little from the outside, it may just burn off..
But,...
Check your oil level,... and see if you can see in the site glass...
golden oil is fresh and good,... black, has been hot for some time and may need replaced,.. if it looks milky, or like opaque caramel, it has water in it, possibly from condensation built up while sitting too long, that definitely needs replaced ...

Thanks for the tips! I took a look at the oil just to see the level, and it was fine, but I'll take a closer look for color and consistency. I think the dealer did a tune-up when they got it, so I assumed they would have checked the oil, but who knows? It's hard to tell exactly where it's coming from on the engine since it's pretty wispy (dissipates quickly). I've only ridden it twice now, so it sounds like maybe it'll still stop on its own?

Ed L. wrote on 10/04/10 at 18:13:06:


Somebody on here, I can't remember who, suggested putting a piece of Aluminium foil on the pipe before you take the oil filter cover off.  I tried that last time and it worked pretty good.  It does not take a big piece.