600 twin piston ring keeper info

Rocky18

Rocky18

New member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
21
Age
83
Location
Rockford, IL
Today I just learned of a piston ring keeper issue that would apply to our 1997 600 Venture. Something about a moving clip that can toast the motor. I've done a bit of searching but can find little info. I did locate something about a Yamaha re-call about that, but little else. Any additional info on this greatly appreciated. Thanks
Semper Fi & Fairwinds
Rocky18 aka Mike
 
Went through this with my XTC and my buddy's Venture, both 97. The way it was explained to me was the keeper pin for the oil control ring would fall out. Ours were both covered under warranty by our dealer and Yamaha. Unfortunately for you, that was 15 yrs ago. My advice, if you're mechanically competent, put a new top end in it. If not, your rolling the dice every time you ride it. How many miles on it? Ours were both at around 3,500 when they went.
 
To my knowledge there was no recall. My sled was JUST out of warranty when it ate the piston and jug. Yamaha, with my dealer helping me, covered everything. 2 jugs, pistos, rings, gaskets and labor. Same for my buddy. Realistically , it's an18 yr. old machine. Even if there HAD been a recall, it likely would have expired by now. Let us know how this turns out!!!
 
Here's an update on this "cir clip" situation. I checked with 2 dealers and got mixed results. Port Yamaha knew of the problem, but an 18 year old sled would not be covered. The local guy knew nothing about it. i checked with previous owner. He had not heard of the problem. We got the sled in 2011 Parts are ordered. 4298 miles on the sled. Thanks to Viper_Dave, mtnmaxman600 and 03viperguy for your input.
Semper Fi & Fairwinds
rocky18 aka Mike
 
Final results.
Glad to say we just got back from the U P and almost 500 miles in 3 days. Sled ran great. No issues. Replaced Pistons, rings, bearings, pins, clips, gaskets. All is well except the grip heat failed the last day. Oh well.
Semper Fi & Fairwinds
rocky18 aka Mike
 
actually a technical bulletin was issued by yamaha addressing the pin failure. if it happened inside or close to the 36 month warranty and your dealer was upstanding, yamaha would reimburse the dealer for labor and parts. so not so much a recall as not enough units saw the problem within the allotted time frame but enough of an issue that the pistons were redesigned in 98 along with a superceded part number.

mine failed and were replaced by the dealer where i purchased the sled 4 years after, or 1 year out of warranty, based solely on the technical bulletin. dealers that subscribe and take advantage of the tech exchanges/bulletins seem to be a step above the ones that are unaware of known problems and dont read the often issued literature yamaha provides.

another thing to watch out for on those sleds is the wear on the oil pump drive gear. again, a tech bulletin issued, but not a warranty recall, but an updated part number for 98. on the drive side of the pump you should see somewhat of a diamond shaped drive that "tongue and grooves" to the oil pump drive shaft. high milers within the warranty period saw several worn drive gears. you will be able to see signs of wear on the pump drive if remove the pump and inspect it.

i would have to dog through my school books for the piston pin bulletin as well as the oil pump.
 
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