Busted cam-end plug!

I was enjoying an evening ride when I noticed that my right foot felt slippery. It was dark so I didnt really understand the gravity of the oil spill until a little later. Had to push the bike home!
It is an 1981 non yics xj650 and it is now more or less covered in oil!

the cam plug has come loose and fallen off. Moreover a lot of oil has spilled out.

I find this a little strange. first of all, how come it comes loose? Is there perhaps pressure building up inside? Secondly, how come there is such a large oil spill?


My question is:
Should I just replace the gasket and cam end plugs or do I need to dig deeper in to this as well?




thanks!

 

there should be no presure to speak of up there. Oil is pumped up and into one end of the camsharft and comes out the holes in other spots on the camshaft from there it weeps down the chain gallery and a couple other drains. even if the drain holes were somehow clogged there's no way to stop it ALL from just falling down the chain gallery.

the cam 'D's get old and hard and crack. not too often but sure, 30 year old rubber isn't surprising at all to go. Do a forum search for the subject of intake boots and read ALL about 30 year old rubber. (yes Rick, I know they're called manifolds but a search for that won't give as much)
Anywho, I'd just order a new pair of D's and a new set of valve cover bolt "donuts" aka grommets I think. Take the cover off, replace everything you ordered, use the same valve cover gasket per Fitz and others tips on freshening it up. The valve cover gasket is meant to be reusable and is the reason the donuts are in the design. While you're under there inspect your valve clearance. Button up and run.

 

Wow! thats a fast reply!
It is such a bummer that the bike messed up now. I am only home for the weekend and was planning to take the bike to my new home a few hundred kilometers from here. Well... I dont think I will be doing any much riding with the bike in this condition!

 

Ummm...

No "donuts" on a non-YICS motor. Just the valve cover gasket and two rubber half-moons, the cover's held down by "normal" bolts.

When you replace the two plugs, get everything squeaky clean and "glue" them in place with gasket sealer. Glue the gasket to the cover, and sparingly lube its undersurface with silicone grease or even motor oil. Then you should be able to remove and reinstall the cover in the future and leave the plugs in place.

 

Cool!
thanks for the tip Fitz. I read it in another post but you summed it up much more simple!
I took some gasket and cut it into the desired D shape, then put it together with gasket rubber"goo". Then I put it where its supposed to be and made sure it couldnt come out with a piece of wood and some wire! simple fix but I held together for the 380km ride I did today, from my parents to my new home!
Haha, I like the oldschool stuff. just put together whatever and it works! I have the vacuum sync and colortune enroute and will order proper end caps and new gasket. I am really looking forward to making this kitten purr!
Im not much for aestetics btw, just want it to run well.

 

Whatever works, glad you made it.

Just be sure no debris from your "fix" gets into the motor.

 

oh snap, thanks for the correction, I just glanced at the sig line (I always read it first on tech question posts) then my brain skipped right over the "non YICS" in the main post. Sorry 'bout that.