GS1100GLZ - two problems

[moehme]

Thought I would start getting the bike ready for riding this year and found two problems - hopefully someone can help me.

Problem 1:
Pulled the oil drain plug (to change oil) - crankcase full of gas !!!! Found out that one of the floats was stuck open and drained the tank into the crankcase. I fixed the carb float, put everything back together, started it up, runs great, EXCEPT that it smokes like a chimney.

I read on another thread that fuel in the crankcase can cause this. I'm assuming that after draining/changing oil, there was still a small amount of gas in the crankcase, thus causing it to smoke. The questions here are:
a) Will this go away after a while?
b) Should I run it a while then change oil again?
c) Change it now before starting it again?

Problem 2:
When I pulled the oil drain plug, I noticed the threads in the crankcase are in bad shape/stripped - is it possible to "re-thread" the crankcase and put in a larger drain plug, and if so how hard of a job is this?

Thanks

[rustybronco]

[snip] runs great, EXCEPT that it smokes like a chimney.

I read on another thread that fuel in the crankcase can cause this. I'm assuming that after draining/changing oil, there was still a small amount of gas in the crankcase, thus causing it to smoke. The questions here are:
a) Will this go away after a while?
b) Should I run it a while then change oil again?
c) Change it now before starting it again?

Problem 2:
When I pulled the oil drain plug, I noticed the threads in the crankcase are in bad shape/stripped - is it possible to "re-thread" the crankcase and put in a larger drain plug, and if so how hard of a job is this?

Thanks

problem 1...

A. possibly yes, but what is the bikes history. did it have a history of smoking before?
did the bike sit a long time and the rings get stuck with varnish?
are the valve stem seals bad?

B. I would run it for 15-20 minutes then change the oil again, just to be sure you remove all the fuel.

C. same as above.

Problem 2...

yes you can install a larger drain plug.
But I don't know if an auto parts store will have a 1/2 oversize drain plug. take the drain plug you have with you to see what they can match up. then drain the oil, put grease on the new drain plug's threads and use it like a tap. clean the threads off and re-grease every so often to keep the metal shavings out of the engine. then re-install the new drain plug and re-fill with oil.

or replace the oil pan.

[moehme]

problem 1...

A. possibly yes, but what is the bikes history. did it have a history of smoking before?
did the bike sit a long time and the rings get stuck with varnish?
are the valve stem seals bad?

B. I would run it for 15-20 minutes then change the oil again, just to be sure you remove all the fuel.

C. same as above.

Problem 2...

yes you can install a larger drain plug.
But I don't know if an auto parts store will have a 1/2 oversize drain plug. take the drain plug you have with you to see what they can match up. then drain the oil, put grease on the new drain plug's threads and use it like a tap. clean the threads off and re-grease every so often to keep the metal shavings out of the engine. then re-install the new drain plug and re-fill with oil.

or replace the oil pan.

Did it have a history of smoking before?
No - first time this has ever happened

Did the bike sit a long time and the rings get stuck with varnish?
Sat in the garage (heated) over winter. No longer than any other winter season.

Are the valve stem seals bad?
Hmmm, not sure - any way to check without tearing down the engine?

[Nessism]

Regarding the smoke, ride the bike for a while and see if it goes away. Regarding the oil, wouldn't hurt to change it a second time just to be safe. Diesel engine oil is good for motorcycles and costs no more than decent auto oil so that's a good way to go.