Strange Things in the Engine Oil

[AlisAquilae]

Hey all,

I just changed the oil in my FZ6 for the first time today (relatively new owner). I chose Royal Purple Max Cycle 10W-40 and a K&N KN-204 oil filter after reading the plethora of oil threads on this forum. I could not be happier with the results. I wasn't aware my FZ6 was supposed to run this smoothly until this afternoon.

Just one concern:

As I was bottling the used oil, I came across these pieces of plastic at the bottom of the pan. I'm sure the pan was clean before I began draining. Any idea what these are?

They are translucent and the largest piece is about an inch in length. They have been obviously broken on the ends.


Thanks in advance,
-B

 

[Jblk9695]

Not sure but it looks like part of the cam chain guide, those more knowledgeable will know for sure how to check this and will post soon.
Keep us informed as to what you find.

Jerry

 

[Maverickv46]

Seconded cam chain guide. Should be able to take off the left engine cover and see? Question mark because I am not 100%.

 

[yamihoe]

I would agree BUT iirc the cam chain guides are black, not that color...

I have seen something like that before but it was from a nylon timing gear, which isnt something found in these motors.

and just for reference, how may miles are on the bike?
you may be pullin the valve cover and the side cover to have a look at the guides.

 

[AlisAquilae]

The odometer just passed 6000 miles.

Googling for "cam chain guide fz6" brings up images for this piece in both black and a translucent color.

What are the potential damages if I continue to ride without replacing this guide?


Thanks,
-B

 

[major tom]

Curious, amazing it came through the drain hole, and that it wasn't chewed up by being caught in spinning metal internal parts! Oil or water galley part?
If you just bought this maybe the previous owner dropped something in there? It's cause for alarm and concern but in my opinion and if it was mine I'd keep a watch on temps and noises. If after 1-2K miles nothing changes forget about it. The previous owner was a bad boy and did a poo-poo.

 

[major tom]

If it is the cam chain guide or any part of the guide it seems engine noise would be BAD! It is absolutely essential!!!!!

 

[yamihoe]

At a minimum I would take the side cover off and have a look inside, if there was anything odd I would pull the valve cover off and replace the cam chain guides. My cam chain guides on both my FZ and my R1 were Black, so apparently the translucent color was used too?

 

[AlisAquilae]

I bought the bike used at 5000 miles - I've put about 1000 miles on the bike and have not noticed any engine noise or other mechanical issues that separate my bike from other FZ6s belonging to friends.

I'll be sure to do that. I assume I'll have to drain the oil out again before I remove the side cover?


-B

 

[yamihoe]

unless you leave the side cover off for a significant amount of time or something gets in there, then your oil should still be fine.

not noticing a noise or vibration is a good thing!! regardless, if part of the cam chain guide has come apart, it is just a matter of time before the rest of it goes to hell. for the $30 for the new guides, I would replace it, (assuming you see obvious damage to the guides)

 

[iSteve]

Doesn't look anything like a FZ6 cam guide to me. If it was a chewed up guide you would know it. Possibly someone may have dropped it in, maybe using it as a dip stick or something.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

It doesn't appear to me to be a cam chain guide however if you could post some more pictures with a ruler next to it, especially with the width showing may help. The guides are wider, flatter and black

The guides (all I've seen are black) will have obvious chain wear inside the groove which is probably (I'm guessing) 14mm inside.

I do agree, I'd at least pull the cam chain cover, just as a pre-caution (its not hard to do).

Did you notice any silver metallic in the oil? If you still have the oil, please pour it out in a basin or so for a better look see. IF it is a guide, the chain (or what ever) would be scraping off smalll aluminum bits over time..

**Also, as large as that once piece is, it would have to be JUST RIGHT (the correct angle, lenthwise, etc) to come out the oil drain hole in the engine (leading me to believe it was in the drain container already).

I did look thru the Yamaha manual and didn't see anything close to to it. Their both too big to get sucked into the oil pick up (which is good).

Good luck and please post what, if anything you find (some pic's with a ruler and if there's a groove a chain may run against)

 

[oaks]

Internal pieces from the oil filter? Did you have to get rough with it to remove?

 

[AlisAquilae]

Got it. Thanks!

And seeing as I'm pretty new to motorcycles, would you mind attaching an image of exactly which cover to remove?


Thanks,
-B

 

[shannim]

My theory is that it wasn't in the engine. Just compare the size of the pieces to the drain plug bolt. I highly doubt something that large could fit easily through the drain hole plug and not get stuck.

 

[Motogiro]

Looks like you have a friend or neighbor that likes you. :rof:

 

[AlisAquilae]

Internal pieces from the oil filter? Did you have to get rough with it to remove?

I apologize that I have not yet had an opportunity to remove the side cover. I have been out of town for a couple of days.

Can anyone confirm whether there are internal pieces of the OEM Yamaha oil filter that look like these? I had to hammer a screwdriver through the top side of the filter a couple of times to get it off (oil filter wrench was unavailable at the time).



Also, for those requesting more pictures of the broken pieces and/or the oil: I'm sorry but I've disposed of both. I suppose it would've been wise to keep them around for a little longer! I fully agree that it would be VERY lucky for those pieces to come out of such a small drain hole.


Thanks to those who've replied,
-B

 

[oaks]

I apologize that I have not yet had an opportunity to remove the side cover. I have been out of town for a couple of days.

Can anyone confirm whether there are internal pieces of the OEM Yamaha oil filter that look like these? I had to hammer a screwdriver through the top side of the filter a couple of times to get it off (oil filter wrench was unavailable at the time).

...

-B

I suggested this, when after using the screwdriver method to remove a Walmart/SuperTech filter, some plastic bits were on the verge of falling INTO the engine as I finally removed it.

Have a look at this link, eighth picture down, "Closeup of Yamaha internal." Might parts of that plastic filter basket be your mystery pieces?

Yamaha vs Sierra Oil Filters w\pics - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

(Those pics aren't an exact match for the FZ6 filter. Couldn't find a decent pic of one cut open.)

 

[Motogiro]

I apologize that I have not yet had an opportunity to remove the side cover. I have been out of town for a couple of days.

Can anyone confirm whether there are internal pieces of the OEM Yamaha oil filter that look like these? I had to hammer a screwdriver through the top side of the filter a couple of times to get it off (oil filter wrench was unavailable at the time).



Also, for those requesting more pictures of the broken pieces and/or the oil: I'm sorry but I've disposed of both. I suppose it would've been wise to keep them around for a little longer! I fully agree that it would be VERY lucky for those pieces to come out of such a small drain hole.


Thanks to those who've replied,
-B

There is the possibility that these parts were perched somewhere out side the engine and fell in oil pan. If you're going to pull a cover and you suspect these are engine internals I would pull the pan..

Sent from Moto's Motorola

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I suggested this, when after using the screwdriver method to remove a Walmart/SuperTech filter, some plastic bits were on the verge of falling INTO the engine as I finally removed it.

Have a look at this link, eighth picture down, "Closeup of Yamaha internal." Might parts of that plastic filter basket be your mystery pieces?

Yamaha vs Sierra Oil Filters w\pics - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

(Those pics aren't an exact match for the FZ6 filter. Couldn't find a decent pic of one cut open.)

The internals of the Yamaha filter looks like a dead on match for the Ops object..

With that said, that link was for a Yamaha outboard engine filter, not a MC filter. The Yamaha OB filter is about $23.00, considerably more than the MC filter. A Yamaha MC filter cut apart would certainly prove interesting if the insides are the same..