Cam Chain Tensioner

[Hottech]

After a month and 1000 miles the blasted cam chain tensioner loosened up and started spraying oil out like a ruptured main artery. It happened at night so I had no idea what was going on but a geat billows of smoke was pouring out of my engine and I thought the bike was on fire. Turned off my a PIAAs and heated grips thinking it was my shade tree wiring and rode to work. Put my feet down to back the bike into a parking space and was slipping on the pavement. My boots were covered with oil and so was the whole drive train. I was lucky that I did not blow the bike up. I was never able to torque the tensioner down and with much hindsight I should have used some loctight knowing how difficult it was to remove the original cam chain tensioner. Personally I wish I had not bothered changing the tensioner. It never really clattered that much and I could have easily lost my engine in this mishap.

[riceburner]

After a month and 1000 miles the blasted cam chain tensioner loosened up and started spraying oil out like a ruptured main artery. It happened at night so I had no idea what was going on but a geat billows of smoke was pouring out of my engine and I thought the bike was on fire. Turned off my a PIAAs and heated grips thinking it was my shade tree wiring and rode to work. Put my feet down to back the bike into a parking space and was slipping on the pavement. My boots were covered with oil and so was the whole drive train. I was lucky that I did not blow the bike up. I was never able to torque the tensioner down and with much hindsight I should have used some loctight knowing how difficult it was to remove the original cam chain tensioner. Personally I wish I had not bothered changing the tensioner. It never really clattered that much and I could have easily lost my engine in this mishap.

I think the lesson to take on there is that if you're going to do a job, do it properly, or get someone else to do it properly.

Sorry to hear about it coming loose though, and glad you didn't slip over!

I've had a similar situation with an oil covered bike - I topped up a ZXR400 then rode to work the next day, just forgot to replace the oil cap!

[5lv]

I installed the upgraded tensioner today and the hardest part was getting the old plunger out, I had to customize a hemostat to reach into the opening to grab it. I should point out that I did not remove the TB, but went behind the Telelever A-arm.

I used a bit of wheel bearing grease to hold the new plunger in the new body and that worked good. Tightening up the new tensioner body was a pain but I managed to do it with a swivel headed ratchet in addition to the universal joint needed on the 15mm socket.

It really is quieter at all RPM and seems to run smoother as well. Worth the effort in my opinion.

[MMH]

Replaced my cam chain tensioner without removing anything. It took a total of 20 mins using the ratchet extension and universal socket elbow like the pictures in the previous post. My only problem was that I could not fit my Torque wrench on so I just tightened it to the max of what I could apply without stripping the bolt. By the way I did not use any flex head wrenches. They were to thick to fit in the small space I was working in.

Good to know. Part is cheap enought that I will probably upgrade my tensioner (even though I do not hear any valve train noises).