Smelling burnt oil on an 02 600...

[stevendpclark]

Hey guys,

Been lurking for a while on the board, I have an 02 600 Bandit with 44000KM ( ~ 27000 miles ) on it, whenever I stop the bike I get a nice waft of burnt oil smell from it 

Plugs look good, oil has been changed regularly every 5K on it as well. Everything checks out on the bike, I don't see any oil leaks, the engine is clean and if I am burning the oil its very minuscule amounts since the oil line doesn't seem to change much during oil changes...   

I know about the issues with the 1200's has anyone heard of this happening to the 600's as well? I am at a bit of a loss, the bike is going to see a mechanic at the end of this week but would just like to hear some input from others before I go see him about it.

Thanks!
-Steven

[Red01]

I've never heard of the 600 suffering from the problem some '01-'02 B12's had.  If your 600 had this problem, you'd know because the oil consumption would be noticeable and the plugs would back it up.

Have you checked the airbox for an accumulation of oil?  The engine "breathes" via a vent hose between the valve cover and airbox.  It's not abnormal for oil mist to collect and settle in the airbox.  That's why there's a capped drain hose out the bottom of the airbox.  It should be opened up and drained periodically.  Be sure to replace the cap when done so the engine would suck in unfiltered air off the roadway thru the hose.  If you haven't drained the airbox in a while, you may need to clean out the bottom of the airbox manually.

My B12 will give off this smell sometimes, but then I know where it comes from... since I don't have an airbox anymore, my crankcase breathes via a little K&N filter, which will occasionally waft that hot oil smell.

[stevendpclark]

Interesting, I'll look into it. I had never noticed the hose from the bottom of the air box, only the one on the other side connected to the gas tank...

Thanks!
-Steve

[amgraham]

I don't have any experience with the 600s but my 1200 leaks some out of the valve cover grommets occasionally and gives off the burning oil smell.  It's not enough for me to change it yet (I'm in between valve adjustments anyway).  I just make it a habit to degrease the top of the motor when I wash the bike and it doesn't smell near as often.

[stevendpclark]

OK, well the valves will be done this weekend by a friend mechanic so we will certainly check those seals out. Hopefully its a quick fix, but knowing my luck...

Thanks for the thoughts

[stevendpclark]

Well it turns out it was simply the tensioner gasket that was gone on it. There was very little oil there, and the little that was I had just assumed it was dirt 

Anyways all fixed up now, no more smells

[Red01]