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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:19:42 PM

Title: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:19:42 PM
Ok, well here is my first question. After checking various posts on rattling sound been normal on FJ's I feel that it still maybe more than what it should be. It sounds like a real loose cam chain. It is there no matter the revs and gets louder as revs increase.  Anyways, I decided to remove the chain tensioner only to find the stock one has been replaced with a manual tensioner.

So my question is how do I know when the manual tensioner is at the correction tension (not too tight or too loose).

Thanks

Tom
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: racerrad8 on July 24, 2013, 02:39:15 PM
Quote from: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:19:42 PM
So my question is how do I know when the manual tensioner is at the correction tension (not too tight or too loose).

Tom

There is very vague video on the adjustment on the APE website about manual chain adjustments.

I personally remove them all and replace them with the automatic tensioner Yamaha designed and installed.

Timing Chain Tensioner Assy. (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4KG-12210-00)

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:50:15 PM
Quote from: racerrad8 on July 24, 2013, 02:39:15 PM
Quote from: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:19:42 PM
So my question is how do I know when the manual tensioner is at the correction tension (not too tight or too loose).

Tom

There is very vague video on the adjustment on the APE website about manual chain adjustments.

I personally remove them all and replace them with the automatic tensioner Yamaha designed and installed.

Timing Chain Tensioner Assy. (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4KG-12210-00)

Randy - RPM

Randy, that was what I was thinking of doing but then again I have read that people replaced the stock tensioner with the ape manual one because of issues. Is that just myth or reality.?
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: racerrad8 on July 24, 2013, 03:07:14 PM
Quote from: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 02:50:15 PM
Is that just myth or reality.?
In my opinion it is a myth...

The Yamaha tensioner is spring loaded with a locking paw to prevent it from retracting to allow the chain to come loose. The plunger has never been fully extended on any engine I have ever disassembled and if there was that much chain were to get it out that far the cam timing would be so far off the bike would run very poorly.

Here is a little compilation of facts about the tensioner.

Cam Chain Tensioner Installation 101 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5620.0)

Randy - RPM

Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 03:21:27 PM

In my opinion it is a myth...

url=http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5620.0]Cam Chain Tensioner Installation 101[/url]

Randy - RPM


Yeah I was of the same opinion and that the manual tensioner was more of a sales tactic or perhaps somewhat useful for racing.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question.
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: jscgdunn on July 24, 2013, 05:34:48 PM
Could well be the starter chain.  We have one '92 that has always rattled more than the other five we have around here....

Another solution might be just to wear ear plugs. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: cobrawide on July 24, 2013, 07:01:39 PM
Quote from: jscgdunn on July 24, 2013, 05:34:48 PM
Could well be the starter chain.  We have one '92 that has always rattled more than the other five we have around here....

Another solution might be just to wear ear plugs. :biggrin:

Would the starter chain cause rattle once the engine has started and continue to do so when increasing revs?.
Title: Re: Manual cam chain tensioner
Post by: RichBaker on July 24, 2013, 07:12:59 PM
Yes, the starter chain is always turning......