View Full Version : Cam chain re-adjustments
Destruktor77
02-09-11, 12:01 PM
I just pulled out the front tensioner because it was making a god awful noise. Turns out the adjuster was just set all the way to the lowest...
Will it be okay if I just re-set it tight again, or will it loosen up again fairly soon.
Rory
yorkie_chris
02-09-11, 02:22 PM
They are not manually adjustable, you just put them in and let spring adjust it.
What bike? You saying it was fully extended when you removed it?
Destruktor77
02-09-11, 04:13 PM
It's from a 2002 SV650, it was all the way in when I removed it, but I could turn it back out with a small screwdriver down where the bolt is on top, it seemed to hold ok but it doesn't when it's back in the bike...
As soon as you remove it the plunger will fully extend by itself. Or are you saying the plunger was stuck fully into the tensioner?
If it's not extending quite strongly all by itself then it's broken; when you wind it in with the screwdriver you have to turn it against a spring which is quite strong.
beabert
02-09-11, 06:22 PM
It should be fully out by default, ie the widest it can be. Screwing it in should bring it in, making its width narrower, it should instantly bring back out when you let go of the screw.
Destruktor77
02-09-11, 10:53 PM
Okay then, mines pooped. Anyway I can fix that or will a new one have to be bought? I can't even see a way to open the thing...
Might be easier to just buy another one. Preferably one of the better ones, can't remember off the top of my head which year, might be the 2003 model. Someone else with more knowledge will tell you exactly.
Destruktor77
02-09-11, 11:39 PM
Yeah the 2003 tensioners fit, not sure about any model after that. Struggling to find a pair or even one at a decent price :(
yorkie_chris
03-09-11, 06:12 AM
How do you know it doesn't when it's back in the bike
Destruktor77
03-09-11, 12:49 PM
How do you know it doesn't when it's back in the bike
Because I adjusted it so the cam chain was all good and tight, put it back together, started it up and within 5-10 seconds and noise was back, and then when I took it back out it was all the way back in again.
How do I take the tensioner apart? is it the spring that's gone or something else.
It sounds like the spring has broken. They are not really "user serviceable" parts, certainly you won't be able to buy a new spring. The tensioners on the 99-02 bikes are known to be problematic - now is a good time to fit some later ones.
yorkie_chris
03-09-11, 02:31 PM
They extend as you remove them, that is normal.
How are you adjusting it to make it tight?
They extend as you remove them, that is normal.
How are you adjusting it to make it tight?
His doesn't extend by itself, that why I suspect the spring has broken. He mentioned that he adjusted it out with a screwdriver - but obviously without the spring it will quickly work it's way back in.
Destruktor77
03-09-11, 08:47 PM
His doesn't extend by itself, that why I suspect the spring has broken. He mentioned that he adjusted it out with a screwdriver - but obviously without the spring it will quickly work it's way back in.
Yeah that's right, I set it correctly with the screwdriver, and it doesn't move in my hand, but when I put it back in the engine it managed to retract back in.
So yeah, new one then... K3's, might as well replace them both if I can get a pair.
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