Valve adjustment
 

Serviced my Ten this morning and whilst changing the oil etc thought I would check the valve clearances.

Inlet ones were not too bad to get to and check.

The exhaust ones were an nightmare, got 3 of the cover bolts out but the upper one on the inside i could not get out. Struggled for an hour with various Allen keys and just could not get it to move or even get enough access.

I only way to get in other than the way i tried (from the side after removing the plastic bits) was to remove the rad, but the bolt also seemed up against a frame tube.

Am I missing something - the rest of the service went well following the forum instructions.

It is by no means easy to do the exhaust valves, but I've never had a problem after loosening off the radiator and pulling it forward (never actually removed it though). I guess it depends how chubby your digits are! ;)

This thread may cast some light on different ways to tackle it - http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=17573&highlight

Will this link assist?

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=17573


:)



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Yes, loosen the radiator, pull it out of the way as far as it goes and you should be able to get at all the bolts of the exhaust tappet cover with a bit of effort.

Adjusted mine today for the first time in 47,000 miles. Only one inlet was slightly tight. Seemed pointless after all that effort to get to the poxy things.

At 12K mine were all loose, so I'd guess if I hadn't checked them till 47K they'd probably be about right like yours! ;)

If Yamaha set them accurately in the first place you might have had more of a problem?

I checked mine at about 7000km. The inlets were too tight and the exhausts too loose.

I didn't do anything to the radiator. From memory I used a 1/4" socket ratchet and extension bars + 5mm allen key fitting, and reached the mongrel bolt with a bit of swearing. Did the job and refitted everything - more swearing - but it didn't take long, really. Just unnecessarily fiddly for a biggish engine.

If the engine sounds very tappy do you think the valves should be checked?

Yes. But loose valves aren't quite a disastrous as tight ones!