What is this?

[Smash]

front of the engine, in between the headers. It's leaking. I can't figure out how to fix it if I don't know what it is! THANKS!

[Rasputin]

That is your cam chain tensioner. Do not even try to repair it without reading about it some. If it is just the rubber plug at the end it is simple to fix with RTV or a new plug. If it is the gasket you can end up with bent valves if you do it wrong. So find out all you can before tackling that one.

[Smash]

That was quick thanks.

It's dripping out the center from that middle hole. Looking up in there I don't see anything resembling rubber. Deep in that hole looks to be a metal screw/bolt/something.

[Rasputin]

There should be a metal, rubber coated plug in there. It is often missing. You can clean it up real good and use some RTV sealant in there to plug it. I think the plug is still available from Yamaha too. Personally i would not bother to fix it but get the auto adjust one from a vmax or venture. There is another that works as well but I forget the model it comes from. Natemoen posted it before as well as others.
The big thing is if you do anything else to that CCT, to know that you can ruin your entire year if you do it wrong. There are hundreds of threads about how some guy went about it wrong and bent valves. That dastardly little tensioner can be so ********. Plenty of info on here about proper procedures and how it works.

[natemoen]

The venture and vmax tensioners are a direct bolt on bit a bit more pricey. The vision 550 tensioners need about .5mm filed out of I think it was the lower bolt hole and tend to be cheaper.

[DGXSER]

Yep, Cam chain tensioner and as Ras said, lots of folks just put some RTV gasket silicone over the hole in the end.

The auo tensioner is a nice upgrade as well.

The key to messing with setting it or pulling it is to have the bike on the centerstand or otherwise sitting level, make sure to look under the timing cover on the left side, rotate the engine Clockwise!! And stop when the "C" mark is lined up with the pointer (not that is the C not the T!!) Then you can adjust it, pull it, or replace it. But do NOT turn the engine at all while it is out!!!

Anytime I mess with the tensioner, I ALWAYS turn the engine over a couple revolutions by hand using the bolt under the timing cover and feel and listen for any rough or abnormal sounds or friction. If you follow those steps, you should not have any problems.....note the word SHOULD!

[Smash]

Thanks everyone. I have no intention of replacing the tensioner if I don't have to, as that opens up a whole new can of worms. AKA, might as well adjust the valves, yada yada yada.

Sounds like just glopping RTV in there will stop the leak? No need to buy the plug?

[DGXSER]

Heck, when I got my first XS11 a PO had taken the tip off the end of a crutch, put a quarter inside it, slid it over the end of the CCT, and held it on with a hose clamp. Did not leak a drop.

So short answer is, no plug is necessary really. It just makes a smaller gap to fill with RTV.

[Smash]

ROFLMAO!! Ok that got both Karla and I laughing!!

Excellent. I'll try to think of something we can plug it with instead of just relying on RTV.

Love this forum. Thanks again guys. Karla was about in tears when she saw that leaking, and she's not a crier. She's very ready to be on the road.

[natemoen]

Thanks everyone. I have no intention of replacing the tensioner if I don't have to, as that opens up a whole new can of worms. AKA, might as well adjust the valves, yada yada yada.

Sounds like just glopping RTV in there will stop the leak? No need to buy the plug?

I am just going to throw this out there. You SHOULD check valve clearance no matter what. It can and will effect the way the bike runs as well as the vacuum levels of the cylinders if they are off.

[cywelchjr]

Yes, you should check the valves to make sure they are inside the proper range, as if they are not, you can burn a valve and have trouble getting the carbs synced. These type of valves unlike some actually get tighter as they wear rather than open up, so they will tend to quit closing fully and cause running trouble and burn a valve as well.

[Smash]

Thanks everybody, found our $1.50 solution + RTV. No more leaking!

[DGXSER]

So now your XJ has a nose ring......ewwwww!

[jwhughes3]

tats next

Next it'll be tatted!

John

[planedick]

Important

Do not even try to do anything to that chain tensioner without reading in the manual how. It is REALLY EASY to really screw up your engine good if you don't do everything right....