89' Yamaha XT600 Oil pump drive gear play normal? (Noise)
 

Hey guys! I have 89' Yamaha XT600 that's making a noise like something is loose inside the engine. It doesn't go away when it warms up. It's not constantly same ticking or I-dont-know-how-ta-call-it noise, it comes and goes. The bike runs great. I checked the valve clearances and they are in spec, also the cam chain tensioner was good. So I opened the clutch cover to find out if the common primary drive gear nut has come loose but it hasn't. I did find however that the oil pump drive gear shaft has quite a bit of play. Some rotational play but significant in and out of its housing kind of play(shaft moving with the gear) I read from somewhere that it's normal but for a peace of mind I would like to hear a second opinion before I put it back together. When I move that gear it sounds like it could be the noise I'm hearing when it's running, could it be that? Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

It does have some play , there is nothing pressed together however by the way your saying I would strongly consider it as too loose. The shaft shouldn't be able to move in/out much nor radial , just a bit of "loose" feeling.

Now would be a good time to update it and get the 3AJ or 3TB oil pump , higher volume/pressure than yours , though it is already a step up from the original XT6's .

The 1989 model XT uses the 1VJ oil pump (the inbetweener pump) more than the older pump but not the full 3AJ pump, they got the 3AJ the following year 1990.

You can see this on Partzilla 1989 and 1990

Mezo

Ya , I stated the 3TB because we didn't get a 3AJ for reference even though it is technically just the 3AJ pump. Remember, I'm the one that pointed out the '88-'89 has the inbetween pump over the first version , thus why I said his is already the step up from the original.

Indeed, i forgot. :innocent:

Mezo.