Rattle, Rattle, Rattle....

I have had my XJ for a couple weeks now and I have always had this rattle in the engine. It is a higher, metel rattle. If it were a car I think it might need a valve job. Runs great, but is the noise normal?

other question.... how do you check the trans fluid?

Thanks

 

The tranny and the engine share the same oil, so check it the same as you check your oil. Unless your talking about the rear differential (at the back wheel) You check that oil by pulling the drain plug, its the bolt to the right of the axle, the oil should be level with the hole.

The rattle could be the valves, but it could also be your camchain, there is a tensioner. search for 'cam chain tensioner' and you'll find some good tips on how to adjust it properly

 

Thaks Ace, I will look at it tonight.
I think I have found enough information to locate it on my bike. Can I remove it with no worries or is their a trick to it. Will the oil leak?

 

that would be the fill plug for the rear gear oil,,,Dan

 

So what is the aprox. cost for the part. Can you just replace a spring or something?

 

d,

It might be wise to put you bikes info in your signature. Also to add yourself to the xjmap too...while your at it

Rattle might be valve or cam tens, thing is that these xj bikes have two diffrent types of cam chain tensioners. Depends on what year and model what procedure should be done.

Have you...

checked your valve clearances?
Oil change?
Oil full in the window?

 

AF,
I have changed the oil and all is good. No gunk or metel shavings.
I don't know how to check the valve clearence or do anything about it. But I am learning.
If it was a Chevy 350, no problem.

 

You need a SERVICE MANUAL.

 

Don't do anything you aren't perfectly clear on doing right rather than causing yourself problems.

Get a Factory Service Manual for your Bike.
You need to have a comprehensive reference on how to perform some of the maintenance and the Factory Manual will be SPECIFIC to your Bike without the different other Models added in like they do in HAYNES.

My best advice is to pop for a Factory Book. It actually pays for itself the FIRST time you look-up something and do it yourself.

It's going to save you a big pile of dough when you look-up how to reset the Cam Chain Tensioner and Service Data on changing oil and servicing all the other Owner-service maintenance you'll have to do on your bike.

Don't go blindly into something and cause a problem that will make you have to do extra work if the job got done right, the easy way, as outlined in the Factory Workshop Manual!

 

Rick,

If I may jump in...What is a trusted source for Factory Workshop Manuals? I have a Haynes for my bike and I'm always frustrated by its vagaries.

-AM

 

Direct from Yamaha ...

Go to their Publications site:

http://www.yamahapubs.com/html/year.jsp?type=MC

 

Thank you sir!

 

hey thanks to all. I think I will ride and live with the rattle until I get the manual. Just ordered it today.

 

Hey, another Okie!

Greetings from Tulsa area (Owasso).

kudos on the manual. it will soon become your best friend.

 

just discovered this site that allows you to download the pdf of the manual for an XJ550. saves you about $90

 

woops, here is the site http://pdftown.com/Yamaha-XJ-550-Service-Manual.html

 

He has a 650. The chain-drive 550s are quite different.