Rubber Plug in front of Chain Case

[BordnBill]

Hello All,

I noticed the rubber plug in front of the chain case on my sled doesn't fit really tight. In fact, I found it laying on pan this afternoon when I checking my oil. This is like the second time that it's been lying there. Not really sure what this plug does, but I can push it on, but it isn't a very snug fit. So I wired it to the chain case. My question is, is it suppose to fit tight? Thanks.

 

[hugger70mtnmax]

Mine is tight. That is the fill plug but also acts as the breather for the chaincase. You may want to pick up a new one.

 

[BordnBill]

Thanks Hugger. I can pull mine out with little effort, and wonder why it was even there if it was so easy to pull out. I will order a new one today.

 

[Alatalo]

Tight fit or not, it is for sure not supposed to fall off...

If you are running a high viscosity chaincase oil (like the recommended 75W-90) in extremely cold weather conditions, the pressure build-up inside the chaincase can push this plug out. This does not happen if you run "lighter" oil like 0W-40 engine oil. This is one of the reasons why I am running engine oil in the chaincase as well.

 

[clatla]

Tight fit or not, it is for sure not supposed to fall off...

If you are running a high viscosity chaincase oil (like the recommended 75W-90) in extremely cold weather conditions, the pressure build-up inside the chaincase can push this plug out. This does not happen if you run "lighter" oil like 0W-40 engine oil. This is one of the reasons why I am running engine oil in the chaincase as well.

So how many of you are running something besides 75W-90?

 

[BordnBill]

I'm running Maxima Chain Case Oil, that is 100% synthetic. It doesn't have a viscosity on the label, but says it extreme cold formulated. It's what the local Yammie dealer recommended. I ordered a new plug today. When I inspected my current rubber plug, it looks fine. So, right now, I just safety wired it to the chain case. Will this cause an issue?

 

[Dimebag]

You should be fine

Engine oil in the chaincase.. hmm..

Anyone else did this? I know the yamalube chaincase oil is like syrup when its cold outside..

 

[Alatalo]

Engine oil in the chaincase.. hmm..

I have done this for years and I have never noticed any more durability problems or any more bearing, sprocket or chain wear than sleds using "normal" chaincase oil (I strip my chaincases completely every summer so I do know what I am talking about...). Just think about it, the contact pressures that is loading the oil inside an engine or inside a motorcycle gearbox (lubricated only by engine oil) exceeds the load in a chaincase by far. Then, why should engine oil not work...?

If you use a good quality, fully synthetic 0W-40 engine oil, I can guarantee that you will notice the massive friction reduction on a cold morning start-up. Also, you will not loose your chaincase plug if you ride in temperatures below -30 deg C...

 

[Dimebag]

Yeah i see your point..

I'm gonna re-gear next week, and this got me thinking.. Maybe I'll follow your advice.. I ride around Kiruna / Björkliden and temps around -25 / -30 is not that unusual..

I checked the chaincase oil in -25 celcius earlier this season, and it was seriously looking like syrup.. That cant be healthy..

 

[BordnBill]

Engine oil in the chaincase.. hmm..

If you use a good quality, fully synthetic 0W-40 engine oil, I can guarantee that you will notice the massive friction reduction on a cold morning start-up. Also, you will not loose your chaincase plug if you ride in temperatures below -30 deg C...

The coldest I ever have rode is around 10 deg F. I've heard of people using tranny fluid in their chain case, but that was with Arctic Cats. This is my first Yamaha and I've only owned it for a little over a month.

 

[Snowman269]

Very interesting. Makes sense in cold climates, whats the warmest you have run in? or would recommend?

One of my old die hard Arctic Cat buddies runs synthetic ATF fluid, with no issues. Been doing it for 15+ years. I've never tried it. Wonder what the viscosity of ATF is?

My YamaGearLube turns brown caramel quickly with the HP the Turbo puts out. I've been seriously thinking about going to a different fluid.

I was told these chaincases need a hypoid oil so they don't foam up. I ran a mobil one 75w90 back in 2000 and had the chain get hot and galled up on me. Been hesitant to try something else.

 

[Snowman269]

Hello All,

I noticed the rubber plug in front of the chain case on my sled doesn't fit really tight. In fact, I found it laying on pan this afternoon when I checking my oil. This is like the second time that it's been lying there. Not really sure what this plug does, but I can push it on, but it isn't a very snug fit. So I wired it to the chain case. My question is, is it suppose to fit tight? Thanks.

Thats where Yamaha's used to have the fill and dip stick. On my Attak I had to drill a tiny hole in that plug to allow for heat expansion / venting. At high speed it would build heat and push out the seal, makes a mess of the chain and gears without oil.

 

[BordnBill]

Thats where Yamaha's used to have the fill and dip stick. On my Attak I had to drill a tiny hole in that plug to allow for heat expansion / venting. At high speed it would build heat and push out the seal, makes a mess of the chain and gears without oil.

In my manual it says to fill up the chain case via the dip stick hole. At least I think that's what the service manual says. That's why I was confused when I saw this opening in the chain case. I don't see any splatters of lube coming out, so I guess that's a good thing. I just drilled a hole thru the plug and safety wired it to the chain case so it won't come off. I did order a new plug, but for some reason, I don't think it's going to fit any tighter.

The only thing I hear about using ATF is that you have to change it out more often.

 

[Zakre]

i have a piece of petscreen over mine with a clamp to hold the damn thing in, after every ride it would be in the bottom on the pan , hasn't come out since.

 

[BordnBill]

i have a piece of petscreen over mine with a clamp to hold the damn thing in, after every ride it would be in the bottom on the pan , hasn't come out since.

I just drilled a small hole thru the plug and safety wired it around the chain case. Pretty much the same idea. I like your idea better though. Is it bad that we secure it on like that? Obviously there is pressure in there that keeps pushing the plug out.