XJ1100 question, steel fluid line

[HalfCentury]

The XJ1100 intake manifold boots are shot. I am taking out the carbs and boots to replace the boots.

There is a steel fluid line that runs from rear center of the top of the engine to the crankcase. Banjo fittings at both ends. 17mm wrench fits over the bolt.

What is the purpose of this fluid line?

I had to disconnect this line allow access to #3 intake manifold bolt.

I have to say, this disassembly is WAY more difficult than my XJ650 was.

Pictures of both ends of the fluid line pasted below:

[bikerphil]

It delivers oil up to lubricate the camshafts.

[HalfCentury]

Thanks for the info. That makes sense looking at where the connections are.

Does this hard line have an expiration date?

It is certainly in the way of working on #3 intake manifold boot.

[bikerphil]

No expiration date, never seen one go bad.

[Prothec]

I've never needed to remove it to pull the intake boot, but the carbs certainly hang up on it during removal. But from the looks of it, you left the carbs installed

[TopCatGr58]

Thanks for the info. That makes sense looking at where the connections are.

Does this hard line have an expiration date?

It is certainly in the way of working on #3 intake manifold boot.

No, but the sealing washers could probably use an annealing to soften them back up/smooth out the mating sealing surface before reinstalling and torqueing to ensure that they don't leak under running conditions and 60+/- oil pressure PSI ! Or just get new ones.

T.C.

[HalfCentury]

The garden variety Allen wrench would not turn with that hard line connected.
The carbs have since been removed.

I will replace all of the crush washers. Hoping to not be in this part of the bike again for a long time. No need to economize on a few copper washers.

[HalfCentury]

The garden variety Allen wrench would not turn with that hard line connected.
The carbs have since been removed.

I will replace all of the crush washers. Hoping to not be in this part of the bike again for a long time. No need to economize on a few copper washers.

Correction. DIS-connected. I could not even insert the Allen wrench let alone turn it. It was only one of the two bolts, but a miss is as good as mile here. I also tried a hex bit in a socket wrench. The socket wrench knuckle was too large to allow the bit to get close enough to the bolt. Once the hard line was out, it was a piece of cake.

[Prothec]

I took some pictures from a '78 engine I have on a stand just to make sure we're on the same page. I replaced the engine side gaskets a few weeks ago on an '81, but it has been a few years since I have had them off of my '82. I think that line is routed the same on all three bikes. Maybe yours is bent