I recently replace the water pump belt on my 97 venture 600. I didn't mess with the oil pump (directly), I just unbolted the water pump and removed recoiler, put the belt on flywheel and put water pump back in.
I ran the sled about 50 miles and oil level went down some but seemed a little slow to drop but I had replaced all bogies and tightened the track and had also reduced fuel consumption so I didn't think much of it.
Topped up the oil and headed out for about 40 miles when it bogged around 6000 and stalled dead. I pulled it and it started right up. I rode it about 5 miles and it died again. I then towed it home.
When I got home the oil level is still at the top where I filled it.
Seems like I probably wrecked my motor for one. But why would the pump all of a sudden give out.
Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Both on the pump and engine rebuild. It's a good sled so I would hate to scrap it.
I ran the sled about 50 miles and oil level went down some but seemed a little slow to drop but I had replaced all bogies and tightened the track and had also reduced fuel consumption so I didn't think much of it.
Topped up the oil and headed out for about 40 miles when it bogged around 6000 and stalled dead. I pulled it and it started right up. I rode it about 5 miles and it died again. I then towed it home.
When I got home the oil level is still at the top where I filled it.
Seems like I probably wrecked my motor for one. But why would the pump all of a sudden give out.
Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Both on the pump and engine rebuild. It's a good sled so I would hate to scrap it.
Throttle Junkie35
New member
Are you 100% sure you properly aligned the slot on the pulley drive with the oil pump worm gear shaft?? I would pull off your recoil and see if you have oil in the bottom of the mag housing.
No I'm not. I studied it and concluded it just slipped in and would self align. I'm gathering my conclusion was incorrect.
But if it didn't align I wouldn't think the oil level would have been going down at first and then slowed and stopped.
I read on here that the shaft sometimes wears out with high miles. I have around 10k on the sled.
Ultimately sounds like I still have a borked motor. It still pulls over about the same so maybe it's not completely toast?
I'm going to pull the head off tomorrow to see how the cylinders look. I'll pull the oil pump too.
But if it didn't align I wouldn't think the oil level would have been going down at first and then slowed and stopped.
I read on here that the shaft sometimes wears out with high miles. I have around 10k on the sled.
Ultimately sounds like I still have a borked motor. It still pulls over about the same so maybe it's not completely toast?
I'm going to pull the head off tomorrow to see how the cylinders look. I'll pull the oil pump too.
Throttle Junkie35
New member
Well, the water pump wont be completely flush if it is not aligned. And it would fit kind of funky. I just had a guy bring me a motor who didnt have the water pump installed correctly. It could be it was just coincidence that your oil pump went out at this time as well. I had one oil pump on an 87 exciter that went bad with 17,000mi on the clock. Im not sure where the "worry" point is as that was the only one I have seen fail out of many yamis I have owned. I guess all you can do at this point is guess until you tear into it. You could have a plugged oil filter or line as well.
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Yeah it definitely is seated fully. I may not be a professional mechanic but I'm a professional anal retentive 
. You are correct though. All we can do is speculate, time to break into it, I'll report back after I open her up. Thanks for the responses!
. You are correct though. All we can do is speculate, time to break into it, I'll report back after I open her up. Thanks for the responses!Ok oil pump shaft is rounded bad so that's what did her in. The mag side piston and jug are badly scored but the clutch side jug and piston seems fine.
I have a guy that will sell me a jug, the whole crank with pistons still attached and an oil pump for $260. Said it was from a running sled. Is it worth it? Would all the bearings need to be replaced anyway?
I have a guy that will sell me a jug, the whole crank with pistons still attached and an oil pump for $260. Said it was from a running sled. Is it worth it? Would all the bearings need to be replaced anyway?
Throttle Junkie35
New member
I would buy the parts if they are in good shape. It doesnt seem like a bad price. I would do a complete rebuild with crank seals and start from scratch using the best of the parts that you have. Heck, check out your original crank too, it might still be useable.