Oooooooo, that smell..........

[scott_807]

Took delivery of my 06AE in January, and outside of a difficult time getting my break in miles in due to weather this past month in Indiana, the only thing I am noticing is a noxious smell.

I did have some white smoke coming out of the right can after the first few runs - don't know if it is some packing that is "settling in" or what. This is my first new bike. Delivery was rushed and confused due to an ice storm and I don't know if there is anything I should look for that they might have overlooked at delivery.

Thoughts? Anybody else having prolonged periods of bad odor? I am at around 300 miles so far. Tried a ****** but it didn't help her :yahoo:

Thanks,

Scott

 

[FJRottie]

Is there a dead rodent in your bike?

 

[airboss]

Think I would take it back to the dealer, and have him look for some foam(insulating material) than may have come loose an got into or near the headers, exhaust. Never had any type of smoke/smell from my 06.

 

[feliz]

No smell on my recently broken in 06.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yeah, I know what you are talking about. I smelled an odd odor right after purchasing my '04. That stopped after awhile...but it wasn't immediately. I noticed it and wondered what it was. People on the old board put my worries to rest.

32k miles (too few) and going strong...(just broken in)

 

[scott_807]

Is there a dead rodent in your bike?

Possible. If there was one it's fodder for the state fair now. Just need the stick. I will have it checked out at the break in check up - Thanks for the thought

 

[Silent]

I've smelled some funny plastic burning odors off my '07, But it went away after the first 500 or so miles. Smoke from the exhaust would worry me a bit tho.

 

[scott_807]

Ya, think I found some foam at the back end of the lower cowl that I didn't think should have been there. Pulled that out.

 

[madmike2]

Is it "smoke" is coming from the exhaust or maybe steam from condensation? There are some owners who have reported strange odors from their exhaust. It has usually turned out to be vapors from moisture being burned out of the cats (which are in the header collector, just above the centerstand hinge).

IIRC, my '05 had some exhaust odors...the '04 didn't. It seems that its not every bike so nobody knows exhactly what or why.

Any foam would (should?) be burning/scorching on the outside of the exhaust system and not be producing smoke from the muffler.

Ya, think I found some foam at the back end of the lower cowl that I didn't think should have been there. Pulled that out.

You may have pulled out some of the insluating material that is used to deflect the dngine heat ot the fairing openings rather than allowing it to blow back onto your legs or ankles. :blink:

 

[Bounce]

The reports for the 2003 and 2004 models was that of wet leaves. We suspected it was consomine or some other preservative packed onto parts of the bike for the sea voyage over here. After a thousand miles or so it goes away.

 

[v65]

Ya, think I found some foam at the back end of the lower cowl that I didn't think should have been there. Pulled that out.

On the '06 bikes there is a foam in the plastic that is supposed to be there. You can tell because it is glued in quite nicely, how hard did you have to work to remove it?

 

[Rogue]

Read the 06' FAQ for things to check- like saddle bag locks (Need loctite and the dealers rarely put it on).

 

[mdisher]

Oh yeah...

My 06 stinks pretty good when ever I ride in the rain, and thereafter for a little while. I think wet road grime gets somewhere and cooks.

On it's maiden voyage to NH last year 2 or three times we pulled over and ripped off most of the plastic as I was 100% sure I was having a significant electrical failure or something. But we never found the source and it so far hasn't burned to the ground.

It went away but seems like every time it gets wet that smell returns for a while.

I good portion of that trip was riding in the rain too.

-MD

 

[bvail]

Cosmoline - It'll go away or you can wash it off. I wouldn't be taking off 'foam' or you will probably be experiencing more heat. That's what the foam is there for, unless it's on something really hot, like the pipes. I added foam on my 03 to reduce the heat.

 

[user 3870]

Ya, think I found some foam at the back end of the lower cowl that I didn't think should have been there. Pulled that out.

That foam should stay put. I think it helps keep the cowl from flappin in the wind at speed according to a previous post. Hope you saved it. I would glue it back. My 07 smelled funny for about 500 miles or so, then I think the heat from the engine burned off any temporary coating it had on it.

 

[dbvolfan]

I can smell coolant on my '05 with 13k miles when I have come to a stop after running on the interstate for 30 or so miles. No leaks or fluid loss but it definitely smells like coolant.

 

[gr8eyes]

I agree with Bounce and Bvail. Cosmoline is a thin coating, put on metallic parts, to keep the salt air from rusting metal bits on the boat ride from Japan.

Till it all burns off, or is washed, it will smell strange.

 

[Wingman]

Mine also had a strange smell when new. I made two back to back trips across town at around 300 miles. I think I got stopped at nearly every stoplight both times. After getting the exhaust good and warm, I haven't noticed the smell since. I expected a little smoke out the tailpipes when brand new, as there is almost always some leftover oils present in the system from manufacturing and anti-corrosion stuff used in shipping. I didn't notice any smoke out the pipes, but I also put about 150 mile on the bike the first day.

The inside of the tank is probably also coated before shipping and will require a few fills to completely wash it clean. When I got a new tank for my Magna it had a notice about corrosion inhibiting oils inside the tank and smoke and/or strange smell would be normal for the first few tankfulls if not rinsed with gasoline before using.

Just my $.02

David

 

[scott_807]

Thanks Everybody, it's starting to warm up outside, so I'll let'er cook a while longer and see where I end up.

On the foam, I've still got it if I need to stick in back between the lower cowl and the tranny. It's a block of grey stuff about 2"x2"X5". Won't know if the cowl makes a racket till after break in. - Scott