[rancher11]

i have a 2002 honda rancher es with 1900 miles and 280 hours on it. it smokes when i rev it or drive it. it starts up fine and does not tick knock or anything. it runs fine it just smokes when riding/revving. it has plenty of power and everything. i also noticed a little oil in the bottom of the tank that the air filter is located. what is the possible problem and solution? also, when i purchased the wheeler, the guy told me it had sat around without being started for a year.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. It sounds like it's time for a top end rebuild. The rings are probably worn.

 

[rancher11]

thanks, could it be time to replace the valve seals?

 

[Helmut]

thanks, could it be time to replace the valve seals?

Yes, it's possible it could be the valve stem seals, but I would do a whole top end rebuild if it was me.

Usually if it's just the valve stem seals, it will smoke when you first start it up and then after it warms up it will quit or mostly quit anyway. What causes this is the oil leaks past the valve seals and drains down on top of the piston when after you shut it off and then the next time you start it up, it has to burn the oil off the top of the piston.

 

[rancher11]

about how much would that cost? would i have to bore it? i heard that almost every rancher that has been bored smokes about 100 miles after the job is done.

 

[Helmut]

about how much would that cost? would i have to bore it? i heard that almost every rancher that has been bored smokes about 100 miles after the job is done.

If they smoke it is because it takes a while for the rings to seat.

Ebay has top end rebuild kits and you send them your cylinder and they bore it and send you all the oversized parts to fit it. I'm not sure if it comes with the valve stem seals or not, but they don't cost much. That looks like them in the picture, though, so they might come with it. Here is the link to one.

Honda TRX350 350 Rancher Engine Motor Top Rebuild Kit: eBay Motors (item 370096328821 end time Jul-03-10 10:49:00 PDT)

 

[rancher11]

thanks for that link, i do though notice after riding it, it smokes less. it still smokes some, but not as much.

 

[Helmut]

thanks for that link, i do though notice after riding it, it smokes less. it still smokes some, but not as much.

It could just be the valve stem seals, but if they're bad, then it's probably time for a rebuild anyway. You could do a compression test to tell if the rings are worn or not.