metal flakes in oil filter screen

K

Khosatral Khel

XS650 Member
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Phoenix, AZ
I have read a lot of discussion on finding metal and plastic in the oil filter screen. I recently found a few (3-4) small pieces of plastic in the screen and after cleaning the screen, metal flakes in the bottom of the bucket of kerosene (I didn't see them until I had cleaned it). My question is: does that mean I should get a new cam chain guide right away? If so, what else should I have done while it is being done? The bike has about 11,500 miles and is a 1980. I am only slightly mechanically inclined, so more than likely it'll be a mechanic doing it for me. Thanks!
 
Probably your cam chain guides are worn. You should replace the chain and guides. Check the sump oil filter, It will probably have some plastic and metal flakes in it too. Ask the mechanic to check the valve clearance after he changed the chain as well.
 
This is a rather crude old engine design and I feel a few metal flakes in the filters are pretty much normal, even in a healthy motor. How about your starter? Does it grind at all? I think that's responsible for many of the small metal flakes and chips you find. Also some of the rubber bits. The #4 starter gear has a thick rubber washer bonded to its inner side, I guess to pad its engagement. That can start chunking off.
 
Back in the day (1996) when I got my XS650/E, I too noticed a few pieces of metal and plastic, maybe it was rubber, in the filter. Being new to the breed, I assumed the worst and pulled the engine and took it to my local Yamaha dealer asking him to rebuild the engine. The mechanic at the dealership asked me why I thought it needed to be rebuilt, and I told him about the metal in the filter. He said he has seen a lot worse even in brand new engines and that I should ride it awhile to see if it got worse. The bike at the time had 18,000 miles on it. I rode it for 12 years and put 82,000 miles on it. It was still running strong when I finally sold it.

Not saying this is true for all engines, but I would certainly look for other signs of engine problems before tearing it down.
 
Thanks. Good all good info. I likewise assume the worst and didn’t know about the starter and #4 starter gear. It doesn’t sound great. So that could be it. I’ll keep an eye on it over the next few oil changes. Thanks for the help.
 
How big are the flakes? If I were you I would have a compression test just to be sure.
 
I have 50,000 on my 81, it had 12,000 when I started riding it, I have not been in the motor.
I clean that stuff from the side filter each oil change.
Keep the oil changed and ride it. Its happier when I change it around 900 miles, I try not to go over 1000.
This has been my learning/test model It has held up to my learning better than I dreamed.
I was so sure it wouldn't last much longer with that stuff showing up in the filter I bought another bike a nicer 82 so I could use all my parts i had put on the 81.
I have leaned much and its still alive and running better than ever.
 
I have used the heat most mornings all summer. :bike:
the average morning is in the 50s we have a few in the 60s (they are cherished), it can be in the 40s any time.
I have already ridden several mid 30deg mornings, and got reminded:D that requires winter pants and the thick sweater under the leather.
I must be getting wimpy. I use to ride @ 25 with mittens, layers and no electric heat. that was dangerous as my hands didn't work real well the last 8 miles.

I will work on a write up of how great the grips and bib have worked out with a stock electric system.
they sure make the cool weather riding more enjoyable.:)
 
A write up would be interesting.
You know, the stock systems being sooo crappy and all.

For sure I will add my experience and how its working for me:laugh:

ANYway back to the tread :

Khosatral Khel here is a picture of my filter before i cleaned it as I changed the oil just now..
The black stuff was abit bigger years back. i don't like it But???? what can i do.
 

Attachments

  • oil-filter-9-23-14.jpg
    oil-filter-9-23-14.jpg
    225.3 KB · Views: 148

Similar threads

Carveacre
Crud in the Oil
Replies
18
Views
388
zrx1100
zrx1100
MountainXS
Petcock Replacement Filter // 1980 xs650 special
Replies
7
Views
802
MountainXS
MountainXS
Duck749
78 Special - Top End
Replies
7
Views
349
XSTime
XSTime
B
XS650 BS34 CARBS
Replies
2
Views
211
BACK SHIFT
B
staf0s
Continue with top-end tear down?
Replies
17
Views
1K
Paul Sutton
Paul Sutton
Back
Top