Troubleshooting
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Abnormal frame and suspension noise
38 Front end noise
1 Low fluid level or improper viscosity oil in forks. This can sound
like spurting and is usually accompanied by irregular fork action
(Chapter 5).
2 Spring weak or broken. Makes a clicking or scraping sound. Fork
oil, when drained, will have a lot of metal particles in it (Chapter 5).
3 Steering head bearings loose or damaged. Clicks when braking.
Check and adjust or replace as necessary (Chapter 5).
4 Fork triple clamps loose. Make sure all triple clamp pinch bolts
are tight (Chapter 5).
5 Fork tube bent. Good possibility if machine has been dropped.
Replace tube with a new one (Chapter 5).
6 Front axle or axle clamp bolt loose. Tighten them to the specified
torque (Chapter 6).
39 Shock absorber noise
1 Fluid level incorrect. Indicates a leak caused by defective seal.
Shock will be covered with oil. Replace shock (Chapter 5).
2 Defective shock absorber with internal damage. This is in the
body of the shock and can't be remedied. The shock must be replaced
with a new one (Chapter 5).
3 Bent or damaged shock body. Replace the shock with a new one
(Chapter 5).
40 Brake noise
1 Squeal caused by pad shim not installed or positioned correctly
(Chapter 6).
2 Squeal caused by dust on brake pads. Usually found in
combination with glazed pads. Clean using brake cleaning solvent
(Chapter 6).
3 Contamination of brake pads. Oil, brake fluid or dirt causing brake
to chatter or squeal. Clean or replace pads (Chapter 6).
4 Pads glazed. Caused by excessive heat from prolonged use or
from contamination. Do not use sandpaper, emery cloth, carborundum
cloth or any other abrasive to roughen the pad surfaces as abrasives
will stay in the pad material and damage the disc. A very fine flat file
can be used, but pad replacement is suggested as a cure (Chapter 6).
5 Disc warped. Can cause a chattering, clicking or intermittent
squeal. Usually accompanied by a pulsating lever and uneven braking.
Replace the disc (Chapter 6).
6 Drum brake linings worn or contaminated. Can cause scraping or
squealing. Replace the shoes (Chapter 6).
7 Drum brake linings warped or worn unevenly. Can cause
chattering. Replace the linings (Chapter 6).
8 Brake drum out of round. Can cause chattering. Replace brake
drum (Chapter 6).
9 Loose or worn wheel bearings. Check and replace as needed
(Chapter 6).
Oil level indicator light comes on
41 Engine lubrication system
1 Yamaha XV700 through 1100 models use an oil level light rather
than an oil pressure light.
2 Engine oil level low. Inspect for leak or other problem causing low
oil level and add recommended oil (Chapters 1 and 2).
42 Electrical system
1 Oil level switch defective. Check the switch according to the
procedure in Chapter 8. Replace it if it's defective.
2 Oil level indicator light circuit defective. Check for pinched,
shorted, disconnected or damaged wiring (Chapter 8).
Excessive exhaust smoke
43 White smoke
1 Piston oil ring worn. The ring may be broken or damaged, causing
oil from the crankcase to be pulled past the piston into the combustion
chamber. Replace the rings with new ones (Chapter 2).
2 Cylinders worn, cracked, or scored. Caused by overheating or oil
starvation. If worn or scored, the cylinders will have to be rebored and
new pistons installed. If cracked, the cylinder block will have to be
replaced (see Chapter 2).
3 Valve oil seal damaged or worn. Replace oil seals with new ones
(Chapter 2).
4 Valve guide worn. Perform a complete valve job (Chapter 2).
5 Engine oil level too high, which causes the oil to be forced past
the rings. Drain oil to the proper level (Chapter 1).
6 Head gasket broken between oil return and cylinder. Causes oil to
be pulled into the combustion chamber. Replace the head gasket and
check the head for warpage (Chapter 2).
7 Abnormal crankcase pressurization, which forces oil past the
rings. Clogged breather or hoses usually the cause (Chapter 2).
44 Black smoke
1 Air cleaner clogged. Clean or replace the element (Chapter 1).
2 Main jet too large or loose. Compare the jet size to the Specifi-
cations (Chapter 3).
3 Choke stuck, causing fuel to be pulled through choke circuit
(Chapter 3).
4 Fuel level too high. Check and adjust the float level as necessary
(Chapter 3).
5 Inlet needle held off needle seat. Clean the float bowls and fuel
line and replace the needles and seats if necessary (Chapter 3).
45 Brown smoke
1 Main jet too small or clogged. Lean condition caused by wrong
size main jet or by a restricted orifice. Clean float bowl and jets and
compare jet size to Specifications (Chapter 3).
2 Fuel flow insufficient. Fuel inlet needle valve stuck closed due to
chemical reaction with old fuel. Float level incorrect. Restricted fuel
line. Clean line and float bowl and adjust floats if necessary.
3 Carburetor intake manifolds loose (Chapter 3).
4 Air cleaner poorly sealed or not installed (Chapter 1).
Poor handling or stability
46 Handlebar hard to turn
1 Steering stem locknut too tight (Chapter 5).
2 Bearings damaged. Roughness can be felt as the bars are turned
from side-to-side. Replace bearings and races (Chapter 5).
3. Races dented or worn. Denting results from wear in only one
position (e.g., straight ahead), from a collision or hitting a pothole or
from dropping the machine. Replace races and bearings (Chapter 5).
4 Steering stem lubrication inadequate. Causes are grease getting
