Cam chain tensioner removal: Difference between revisions

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==How it works==

The purpose of the tensioner is to take up the slack on the cam chain as it stretches with normal use. ~~So, it~~'s designed to only move in one direction. ~~The springs~~ push on ~~the~~ push rod, which pushes on the cam chain guide. ~~The~~ ball and retainer assembly, in combination with the push rod and the tapered barrel of the chain tensioner housing, form a ratchet mechanism that allows the plunger to go out but not come back in ~~under normal use~~.

The purpose of the tensioner is to take up the slack on the cam chain as it stretches with normal use. It's designed to only move in one direction. Springs push on a push rod, which pushes on the cam chain guide. A ball and retainer assembly, in combination with the push rod and the tapered barrel of the chain tensioner housing, form a ratchet mechanism that allows the plunger to go out (keeping the correct tension on the chain) but not come back in.

~~The negative part of all this is that when the tensioner goes, the cam chain can slap around within the engine, tearing off bits of the plastic that are there to help guide it and protect the metal~~... which then float around in the engine until they get stuck somewhere or do damage. The chain can also jump teeth, in which case the timing is off and the bike runs terribly, or you have that unhappy valve-to-piston contact.

[[image:CAMSHAFT(S) TENSIONER.png|100px]]

[[image:833769.jpg|150px]]

The usual noise for a tensioner getting worn is a loud (usually consistent) ticking on the upper right side of the motor, similar to noisy (loose) valves. If you have these symptoms, and you know the valves to be correct, you should replace the cam chain tensioner. A new one is about $35. Part number for the whole assembly is 12048-1106.

Why this part is important is because if the tensioner goes, the cam chain can slap around within the engine, tearing off bits of the plastic that are there to help guide it and protect the metal. These can float around in the engine until they get stuck somewhere or do damage. The chain can also jump teeth, in which case the timing is off and the bike runs terribly, or you have that unhappy valve-to-piston contact.

The usual noise for a tensioner getting worn is a loud (usually consistent) ticking on the upper right side of the motor, similar to noisy (loose) valves. If you have these symptoms, and you know the valves to be correct, you should replace the cam chain tensioner. A new one is about $35. Part number for the whole assembly is 12048-1106.

==Tensioner removal==

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 ==How it works==
-The purpose of the tensioner is to take up the slack on the cam chain as it stretches with normal use. So, it's designed to only move in one direction. The springs push on the push rod, which pushes on the cam chain guide. The ball and retainer assembly, in combination with the push rod and the tapered barrel of the chain tensioner housing, form a ratchet mechanism that allows the plunger to go out but not come back in under normal use.
+The purpose of the tensioner is to take up the slack on the cam chain as it stretches with normal use. It's designed to only move in one direction. Springs push on a push rod, which pushes on the cam chain guide. A ball and retainer assembly, in combination with the push rod and the tapered barrel of the chain tensioner housing, form a ratchet mechanism that allows the plunger to go out (keeping the correct tension on the chain) but not come back in.
-The negative part of all this is that when the tensioner goes, the cam chain can slap around within the engine, tearing off bits of the plastic that are there to help guide it and protect the metal... which then float around in the engine until they get stuck somewhere or do damage. The chain can also jump teeth, in which case the timing is off and the bike runs terribly, or you have that unhappy valve-to-piston contact.
+[[image:CAMSHAFT(S) TENSIONER.png|100px]]
+[[image:833769.jpg|150px]]
-The usual noise for a tensioner getting worn is a loud (usually consistent) ticking on the upper right side of the motor, similar to noisy (loose) valves. If you have these symptoms, and you know the valves to be correct, you should replace the cam chain tensioner. A new one is about $35. Part number for the whole assembly is 12048-1106.
+Why this part is important is because if the tensioner goes, the cam chain can slap around within the engine, tearing off bits of the plastic that are there to help guide it and protect the metal. These can float around in the engine until they get stuck somewhere or do damage. The chain can also jump teeth, in which case the timing is off and the bike runs terribly, or you have that unhappy valve-to-piston contact.
+The usual noise for a tensioner getting worn is a loud (usually consistent) ticking on the upper right side of the motor, similar to noisy (loose) valves. If you have these symptoms, and you know the valves to be correct, you should replace the cam chain tensioner. A new one is about $35. Part number for the whole assembly is 12048-1106.
 ==Tensioner removal==