Strange engine/bearing noise?
 

Ok here is a curly one.

About a year and a half ago, maybe two, l was heading out for a ride and while slabbing it at about 90 kph there came this ear piercing screech from somewhere between the front and rear hubs.
It sounded like a dry bearing that was semi seized and then let go and either came good or there are a few bits floating around inside (not likely as they would have chewed my engine apart by now). Sounded like a stone caught in the brake pads.
Well the other day it happened again. Had slabbed it up to a mates house at 80 kph max then on the way home on the fwy at 130 kph (yes I did get my photo taken, front on luckily) l can hear a very similar noise. Sounded less screechy and more general mayhem going on inside my engine.
Might be time to look at the water pump maybe.

Any comment appreciated, even stupid ones about my neighbours dog.

Edit. I backed off to 90 and it went away.

Thanks cya

For sure our team of experts will be along soon.......

Water pump but not the bearing.
 

Went for a quick 200k road ride and when I got there l had engine coolant splashes down both sides of the engine. Noticed my right boot had a damp area. Hmmmm. Water and oil! Mostly water though.
Nothing l wanted to do about it until l got home today which was a slow paranoid ride. Had to fill my coolant reservoir as it was empty after 100km and was empty again when l got home.
I dumped the oil, no water in it but there could have been a bit more oil there.
Drained the coolaning system, lots of coolant there.
The coolant/oil had been weeping from where the tell tale hole is under the water pump and possibly one or two other spots on that same gasket join to the engine case.
Took water pump out and bearing is fine.
Maybe a mechanical seal?
Any ideas experts?

Strange engine/bearing noise?
 

It does sound like the outer mechanical seal has failed, which is why the coolant is leaking out the drain hole. If you've got oil there as well the inner oil seal is could be on its way out too?

If the bearing is OK, you could reuse it, but as you've got everything apart it would probably be prudent to get the bearing and full service kit? Especially as some individual parts aren't available separately. After all, the last thing you want is to find yourself having to strip it all again at a later date.

Result
 

I did manage to break one of the impeller fins off through shear stupidity so the list of parts on their way are as follows.
Impeller and shaft assembly
Oil seal
Mechanical seal
O-ring
Bearing.
Total cost is $122 AUD
I found out that the bearing Yamaha supplies for $13 has been upgraded twice in known Aust history.
They obviously learned something from all you early owners/test bunnies.
Still does not explain the seizing bearing squeal l heard the other day. A bit concerned still.
Heading to the bush for ten days over eaater.
For all you non Oz readers Google Hyden Coolgardie and draw a straight line between them. Then Coolgardie to Forestania and finally Norseman for 2 days hardcore navigating in and Arctic Cat SxS buggy. Ohhh yeah! RR will come your way with pics.
Enjoy.

Fixed
 

After removing all the old internals and cleaning up the inside of the pump housing with turps and a rag l was all set to put it back together.
In went the oil seal wetted with water, dead simple. Did leave it a fraction proud on the bearing side to ensure a good seal. Hope it's not to proud and chews out straight away.
In goes the bearing, dead simple. I used the Yammy bearing as it only cost $13 and so was not worth going to the bearing shop for a better/cheaper one.The old bearing was fine.
Now the fun bit. The machanical seal.
This is the old one on the right and new one on the left.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/...410_155249.jpg
Getting the old one out was a pig of a job. It's got some very good loctite on it. It took a big hammer a punch and a socket to bash the thing out. About 15 mins of belting the crap out of it.
Here it is in two pieces. You can see the marks all around it where it got belted.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/...410_155150.jpg

The new mechanical seal went in ok. Had to find the exact right size socket and just tapped it around and around until the lip was sitting flush inside the housing.

Ready to fit the mech seal.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/...411_171915.jpg

Put it all back together and no leaks...... yet
Will take it for a spin in the morn to test out.
All up was a fairly easy job if you know how to treat mechanical seals.
Will definitely be doing more regular oil changes. I know what the strange noises were caused by, lack of oil. Hope it's not to bad in there.