Final drive HOT to touch?

[deagle]

Changed the final drive oil at 600 miles and after a ride found a tiny puddle under the final drive. It didn't look like it came from the "breather" knob at the top like I thought it did when when hot or overfilled. Felt oil on the drain plug.

BUT when I touched the final drive it was very hot. I could keep my hand on it but barely. I don't recall my 2004 ever getting hot like this, but I don't remember ever checking it by hand either. Is this normal? Would a plugged breather cause a leak elsewhere and the final drive to get so hot?

Note: I checked the oil level and it is still full.

I appreciate any answers.

 

[dsmack]

Did you refill the final drive with the recommended Yamaha oil, or something else?

Don

 

[PA1195]

Changed the final drive oil at 600 miles and after a ride found a tiny puddle under the final drive. It didn't look like it came from the "breather" knob at the top like I thought it did when when hot or overfilled. Felt oil on the drain plug.
BUT when I touched the final drive it was very hot. I could keep my hand on it but barely. I don't recall my 2004 ever getting hot like this, but I don't remember ever checking it by hand either. Is this normal? Would a plugged breather cause a leak elsewhere and the final drive to get so hot?

Note: I checked the oil level and it is still full.

I appreciate any answers.

They do run hot when new, but how hot is too hot is not anything I know about. Maybe someday some anal like me will keep track of temps with a remote IR temp sensor and report, complete with color graphs.

I use good 80W-90 mineral gear oil, have used synthetic products, and keep a bottle of Yamaha approved FJR rear end oil plus a receipt on hand in case of warranty issues. If you're concerned, monitor the FOD on the magnetic drain plug at the next oil change. Don't worry, etc.

Gary in Fairbanks

 

[C&C]

I also wondered about how hot the rear gear was getting under normal operating conditions. I have an '04, and have had multiple gear oil changes, so I thought after a long enough ride for the rear gear oil to equalize temperature, I would check the temperature of the outside of the pumpkin. It was, as you say, very warm to the touch; I got out my no-touch infared thermometer and measured just under 120 degrees (I believe it was 118 and some change).

Using Valvoline Synthetic 75-90.

 

[Wicked Webby]

Changed the final drive oil at 600 miles and after a ride found a tiny puddle under the final drive. It didn't look like it came from the "breather" knob at the top like I thought it did when when hot or overfilled. Felt oil on the drain plug.
BUT when I touched the final drive it was very hot. I could keep my hand on it but barely. I don't recall my 2004 ever getting hot like this, but I don't remember ever checking it by hand either. Is this normal? Would a plugged breather cause a leak elsewhere and the final drive to get so hot?

Note: I checked the oil level and it is still full.

I appreciate any answers.

2 thoughts:

1) If you over filled it.. It could build up too much heat...And over flow.

2) A good synthetic should keep it cooler.

WW

 

[escapefjrtist]

The pumpkin operating temperature depends a lot on the ambient temperature. On both my FJR's the pumpkin runs too hot to touch after an extended ride. I think you'll find this is pretty standard across the board. Use a quality dino, blend or full syn of the correct viscosity...it's just a ring / pinion set and a couple bearings, nothing exotic. Overfilling is difficult, cuz you fill it to the threads on the fill hole, simple.

--G

 

[deagle]

Thanks everyone. I am using the Yamaha specific oil designed for the FJR.

I'll keep an eye on it, but it sounds like this is normal.

(I was comparing it to wheel bearings on a trailer that never get hot, just warm.....so this concerned me on the FJR).

Thanks!!

 

[Wicked Webby]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

Is that, really, something most people do...??

 

[mattster31]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

Is that, really, something most people do...??

Canadians don't do dat............We're too excited (what with our 22 min season) to actually be riding, that we would never take the time.

 

[Geezer]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

Is that, really, something most people do...??

I do it. It has never caused a problem for me. I don't get streaks of overflow through the vent or anything.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

Is that, really, something most people do...??

I do it. It has never caused a problem for me. .....

Do you recco that procedure, then? If so, how would it be beneficial/recommended vis-a'-vis the FSM's 200cc quantity? :blink:

IOW, why do that...?

 

[Geezer]

Most people over fill by spinning the wheel (to bring down the fluid level) and then adding more fluid.

Is that, really, something most people do...??

I do it. It has never caused a problem for me. .....

Do you recco that procedure, then? If so, how would it be beneficial/recommended vis-a'-vis the FSM's 200cc quantity? :blink:

IOW, why do that...?

I'm not saying that it's required, just that I don't see any harm in it. Since there is a vent, it is an open system and an overfill will simply come out. I suppose if you severely overfill then you could end up with oil on your tire, but that hasn't happened.

I don't measure out exactly 200cc, I just pour the stuff in directly from the quart bottle, When it's full I rotate the wheel a little bit and top it off. It takes very little extra. I doubt it is beneficial, but not harmful either.

 

[Silent]

I fill, rotate the wheel a couple turns, the let it sit a few min to settle, then top off. Helps work any trapped air out if the system should there be an air bubble.

 

[lazbm]

I fill, rotate the wheel a couple turns, the let it sit a few min to settle, then top off. Helps work any trapped air out if the system should there be an air bubble.

Smart!! Why don't such obvious thoughts (in hindsight) come to my mind?!

 

[Foxhuntr]

A little OT, but what do most of you use to pour the oil into the fill hole? I manage to spill it when I use the bottle it comes in. Is there a neater way?

 

[PA1195]

A little OT, but what do most of you use to pour the oil into the fill hole? I manage to spill it when I use the bottle it comes in. Is there a neater way?

Remove the top and tapered outlet from a standard gear oil bottle and screw it onto the Yamaha bottle. If you don't have one, take the top off a dish soap container and use it. Or just fill a clean empty soap bottle with the gear oil. There are many choices, including a funnel.

Gary in Fairbanks

 

[BkrK12]

A little OT, but what do most of you use to pour the oil into the fill hole? I manage to spill it when I use the bottle it comes in. Is there a neater way?

Plastic Baby Bottle - slice the tip of the nipple off and it fits nicely into the fill hole. The Baby Bottle also has measurements on it, making it easy to get exactly 200ccs, or whatever amount you want to put in.

Dan

 

[Foxhuntr]

A little OT, but what do most of you use to pour the oil into the fill hole? I manage to spill it when I use the bottle it comes in. Is there a neater way?

Remove the top and tapered outlet from a standard gear oil bottle and screw it onto the Yamaha bottle. If you don't have one, take the top off a dish soap container and use it. Or just fill a clean empty soap bottle with the gear oil. There are many choices, including a funnel.

Gary in Fairbanks

A little OT, but what do most of you use to pour the oil into the fill hole? I manage to spill it when I use the bottle it comes in. Is there a neater way?

Plastic Baby Bottle - slice the tip of the nipple off and it fits nicely into the fill hole. The Baby Bottle also has measurements on it, making it easy to get exactly 200ccs, or whatever amount you want to put in.

Dan

Great ideas - thanks! Since we don't have any babies, I'll try the soap bottle.