Cam chain tensioners

[jdiaz]

What is the failure mode on these things? I'm chasing a rough idle on our 94 R1100RSL, and when turning the motor over by hand, I noticed a loud "slap" noise when the right side piston comes back to TDC......not like the piston is bottoming out, but like a spring snapping back into position. I wondered if the tensioner might be failing, but my Google Fu was weak last night, and I could not find anything online. If anyone has a pointer, I would appreciate it.

FWIW, the engine is pure velvet above 2500rpm......there is just something weird going on at or around idle.

[kbasa]

Usually, the complaint is noise at startup. You might want to peer down the cam chain tunnel on the right side and see if the guide is honked up. If it is, you're in for some rough sailing.

[jdiaz]

Thanks Mr Doom n'Gloom. :D

[kbasa]

Thanks Mr Doom n'Gloom. :D

There's an upgraded tensioner kit available and it doesn't take long to change them out.

I keep thinking about doing it on our RS, but it's not all that noisy. Idles OK, too. :dunno

[jdiaz]

I emailed Drew at Max about the upgrade kit, but I haven't heard from him.

This has been an expensive week. :laugh

[BubbaZanetti]

I emailed Drew at Max about the upgrade kit, but I haven't heard from him.


from what i heard that kit was discontinued and you have to buy the parts separately

[jdiaz]

from what i heard that kit was discontinued and you have to buy the parts separately

Thanks BZ

[bikerfish1100]

do a search on "cam chain tensioner" on pelicanparts' R1100S forum- you'll find all teh corect part #s and a good writeup/photo display on how to do the changeover. its easy. only the left side gets done.

[bmwmick]

What is the failure mode on these things? I'm chasing a rough idle on our 94 R1100RSL, and when turning the motor over by hand, I noticed a loud "slap" noise when the right side piston comes back to TDC......not like the piston is bottoming out, but like a spring snapping back into position. I wondered if the tensioner might be failing, but my Google Fu was weak last night, and I could not find anything online. If anyone has a pointer, I would appreciate it.

FWIW, the engine is pure velvet above 2500rpm......there is just something weird going on at or around idle.

Jon,
Try a little experiment, start the engine cold, let it run a minute and shut if off. Now go try your "turning the engine over by hand" experiment and see if the noise is gone. The only time I get ANY cam chain noise is if I've shut the engine down good and hot, next cold start, I get about 2 seconds of rattle then nice and quiet. If I shut it down cold, it never rattles on re-start.
If yours is quiet after a short run, test, I'll bet the tensioner is failing on the right side.

[jdiaz]

Ill try that Mick, thanks.

[harryt11]

I'd just shut it off, as opposed to what Mick said.

[bmwmick]

:scratch :scratch :scratch :scratch I'd just shut it off, as opposed to what Mick said.


:scratch :scratch
You might want to elaborate.

[harryt11]

Jon,
Try a little experiment, start the engine cold, let it run a minute and **** if off. Now go try your "turning the engine over by hand" experiment and see if the noise is gone. The only time I get ANY cam chain noise is if I've shut the engine down good and hot, next cold start, I get about 2 seconds of rattle then nice and quiet. If I shut it down cold, it never rattles on re-start.
If yours is quiet after a short run, test, I'll bet the tensioner is failing on the right side.

Uh, you misspelled "shut".

[bmwmick]

Thanks Bronson,
The first and last letters were correct. :coffee I promise, I wasn't PUI either.