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Engine Bogging Down [Camshaft plugs?]

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  • #1

    Engine Bogging Down [Camshaft plugs?]

    I was working on the bike yesterday and I stumbled across something interesting. The PO had some silicone on the area where the front camshaft plug should be so I decided to take it off and see what was behind there. The plug was intact but a little damaged so I sealed it back up (temporarily!) as I'm waiting on some new camshaft plugs.

    Being the curious George I am, I decided to push on the rear camshaft plug to check its integrity and it slid back a few millimeters into the head cover! Since this incident I've been noticing a lack of throttle response especially cruising in 3rd gear. I'll be at about 2000 rpms and gun it and it'll get a little louder but I can hear the engine getting bogged down. I haven't had any issues like this before so I know it's not the carbs.

    How are those camshaft plugs supposed to sit in the head cover? I feel like they shouldn't just slide freely back and forth. If they were not properly seated would there be a loss of compression? I was reading through another forum post [where a guy's camshaft plug shot out of the headcover and hit his house!] and it seems like there should be a significant amount of pressure behind it.

    Any help would be appreciated.
    78 E - 2to1 exhaust, dynatek coils, special headlight [SOLD!]
    79 F - gas tank refurb, headgasket change, straight pipes, late model carbs, virago lowering shocks, special headlight and gauges, TC fuse block, GSXR-1100 carbs (WIP)


    "May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow cold"
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  • #2
    Camshaft plugs should have no effect on engine operation. Unless one falls out and oil drains out while blasting down the highway. I dont see how one could "fly out" as the crankcase is vented to the carbs. Unless some SERIOUS maintenance is needed.

    The plugs should be tight in there. My guess is they need to be replaced. You will probably also need a new valve cover gasket since the old one will come out in pieces. I tried RTV and "The Right Stuff" a few times. Nothing beats a gasket with a light coat of black RTV on 1 side to keep it in place on the engine.

    Sounds like fuel problems if it's bogging down. When were the carbs last cleaned? What do the spark plug electrodes look like? Do you have inline fuel filters?


    Wait.. You mean the "plug" on the FRONT of the motor??? Behind the exhaust tubes?? If you removed THAT without following the DETAILED instructions in the manuals, your motor is out of time and has possible valve damage. DO NOT START IT. You need to re-time the cam chain.
    Last edited by Diskman01; 08-26-2013, 08:21 AM.
    1) Fire up Internet Explorer
    2) http://www.yahoo.com
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    • #3
      No no no, not the one behind the exhaust tubes. I've been warned about that a few times. Here is a picture of what I'm talking about, It's the two plugs label "21":

      78 E - 2to1 exhaust, dynatek coils, special headlight [SOLD!]
      79 F - gas tank refurb, headgasket change, straight pipes, late model carbs, virago lowering shocks, special headlight and gauges, TC fuse block, GSXR-1100 carbs (WIP)


      "May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow cold"

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      • #4
        Ahh ok.. Cool. Your bogging down problem is something else. Those cam plugs won't effect the engine performance at all.

        Could be dirty carbs, broken pick-up wire or anything.. Does pulling the choke out at that RPM make a difference?
        1) Fire up Internet Explorer
        2) http://www.yahoo.com
        3) type "www.mapquest.com" into the Yahoo search page.
        4) go about day as VP managing multi-million dollar financial contracts.

        Comment

        • #5
          It was me that had the cam plug 'blow' out on me and it was due to a hole in the piston and thus the combustion pressure was felt in the crankcase and that blew the plug out.
          The plugs have a lip on the outside edge that should prevent them from sliding into the head/cover.
          The bogging issue may be fuel or ignition related. See if you've got spark, if so, then it's fuel. Maybe the mains aren't opening up as well as they should, could be the diaphrams having holes.
          Just a few thoughts.
          Hi, my name is George & I'm a twisty addict!

          80G (Green paint(PO idea))
          The Green Monster
          K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, '81 oil cooler, TC's homemade 4-2 w/Mac Mufflers, Raptor 660 ACCT
          Got him in '04.
          bald tire & borrowing parts

          80SG (Black w/red emblems & calipers)
          Scarlet
          K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, WJ5, Shoei bags, Raptor 660 ACCT.
          Got her in '11
          Ready for the twisties!

          81H (previously CPMaynard's)
          Hugo
          Full Venturer, Indigo Blue with B/W painted tank.
          Cold weather ride

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          • #6
            The plugs should make no difference in performance. They only close the half-moon hole made during head machining. Inspect the plugs and if the outside rubber coating does not feel firm against the little steel plate on the inside they must be replaced.

            I have tried all sorts of RTV and other sealers and for me, Yamabond #4 (a dealer item but worth the $) is the best stuff to use. Set the plugs in a thin film of Yamabond. Valve cover gasket is an option with the Yamabond and if you clean the mating surfaces very well and apply a thin bead of Yamabond then tighten the cover to specifications it will not leak oil under operation.
            Mike Giroir
            79 XS-1100 Special

            Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

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            • #7
              When I set those plugs, I do the same as setting an intake manifold on a car engine, run a bead of RTV around the opening they go in, push them into it, then run a bead of RTV over the top of them. Now, use whatever type of gasket you like and reinstall your valve cover. I use plain ol' black RTV.
              Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

              When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

              81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
              80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


              Previously owned
              93 GSX600F
              80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
              81 XS1100 Special
              81 CB750 C
              80 CB750 C
              78 XS750

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              • #8
                I'm missing XSChops billet plugs that had a lip on both sides of the plug to keep it from going in or out. Hmmm.. I think I'll give him a call. lol.
                Last edited by trbig; 08-27-2013, 01:42 PM.
                Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

                You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

                Current bikes:
                '06 Suzuki DR650
                *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
                '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
                '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
                '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
                '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
                '81 XS1100 Special
                '81 YZ250
                '80 XS850 Special
                '80 XR100
                *Crashed/Totalled, still own

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