cam chain tensioner

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:04 pm

To tension the cam chain, does the tensioner have to be removed and reset, or can tensioning be achieved by loosening and re-tightening the cap bolt?

Quan-Time · Post by **Quan-Time** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:24 pm

its auto tension from what ive seen. The chain tensioner is spring loaded under pressure, when you tighten it up, it compresses the spring accordingly. As the chain gets a bit of slack, or tightens as you rev the engine, the spring does its thing to suit. If anything, you can remove the tensioner bolt, clean it, make sure its ok (spring not broken etc) and re-insert it

Is that what you need to know or did i just confuse you more ?

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:03 am

Thanks Quan.

It's no more than I knew - I was thinking maybe my rattles were due to the tensioner not adjusting itself, but being on the point of removing it I had this horrible thought that if I did, then the chain can fall away from the crank gear. Then when I push the tensioner in again it would be possible to have the valve timing wrong. So I didn't do it. Humungous cock-up avoided.

Incidentally, if the chain goes tight the tensioner can't back off, as it's held by a ratchet.

earywig · Post by **earywig** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:25 pm

Hi Martin,

You're correct in being nervous of removing the tensioner - I did it once on a Kawasaki Z1000 A1 which had a similar mechanism. Trouble was that when I tried to start the engine afterwards it bent all the inlet valves, and broke the heads from the exhuast valves

.

The haynes manual implies that you can just remove the tensioner to reset it, then reassemble. My advice is don't.

Try tapping the adjuster housing and see if that frees up the tensioner whist the engine is running

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:30 pm

Cheers Vic, I'll give it a thump!