Chain Tensioner

[Burnszilla]

The K75 service schedule says to:
Renew the lining of the chain tensioning rail and chain guide every 36,000 miles.

I have 95,000 miles on my bike and I doubt if it has ever been renewed.
I can hear my chain rattle a little bit in first gear at 1700 rpm. Is this one of the symptoms of a worn guide?
Has anyone done this job theirselves? Is this an easy job to do yourself?

I'll read up on it in my Clymer.

Are these the 2 parts they are talking about renewing?
#12- Tension Strap
#16- Guide Rail

http://www.burnszilla.com/images/bmw/chain.gif

[riderR1150GSAdv]

It looks like those are the parts to replace. Even though many K owners don't replace the tensioner every 36K miles it is smart to at least look at it every 36K. Mechanics I have spoken with agree every 36K is overkill, but they told me that at 60K I may want to have a real close look. If you think yours has never been replaced, I definately would at this point.
My 0.02 cts

[Burnszilla]

I called San Jose BMW and they said they rarely change the chain tensioner. They did say that it's a good idea to change it around 100,000 miles because if it does break it can cause a big mess.
Labor time/cost: 3.2 hours/$275. Parts cost $20.
Anything that runs a mechanic over 3 hours is a job I probably don't want to do.

[106702]

I have chainged them on my 99LT and it is a major job.You also need to have special tools to align the cams.

[tommy]

I called San Jose BMW and they said they rarely change the chain tensioner. They did say that it's a good idea to change it around 100,000 miles because if it does break it can cause a big mess.
Labor time/cost: 3.2 hours/$275. Parts cost $20.
Anything that runs a mechanic over 3 hours is a job I probably don't want to do.
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3.2 = $275.00 - so there labor rate is 85 bucks an hour? :cry :cry :cry

[bullit7801]

I have chainged them on my 99LT and it is a major job. You also need to have special tools to align the cams.

Special tools, HuH?? Looks like a trip to the dealer. :cry

[lorazepam]

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3.2 = $275.00 - so there labor rate is 85 bucks an hour? :cry :cry :cry

Welcome to Kalifornia

[jdiaz]

I have chainged them on my 99LT and it is a major job.You also need to have special tools to align the cams.
Not on a K75. Just follow the arrows on the cam sprockets. Very simple.

[deilenberger]

Steven,

I think you're obsessing or looking for work to do. The cam chain and tensioner are VERY reliable on the K engines. I can not recall ever hearing of one failing (has anyone? I'm sure we'll hear shortly.)

You noticed Jon Diaz replied (Hi Jon - things are slow in Italy?) - he rebuilt his K75 engine at I believe considerably more than 100k miles (was it 200k?) Jon - what condition were the tensioners in?

I personally know of several 275k+ K75's that are running on the original chain and tensioners, so..

I think you're obsessing (and the job doesn't look all that difficult since the parts to be removed are easily accessable when the chain cover is removed - which is hanging right out the front of the engine..)

Jon D - question - do you see any reason the chain has to be removed to replace the tensioners? I don't.. but haven't done it.

Best,

[jdiaz]

We replaced the camchain guides because the whole motor was apart, but just cleaned up the hydraulic tensioner and reinstalled it. The plastic parts were a little brittle (this is why I think they recommend periodic replacement), but the metal rubbing block on the lower guide had very little wear after 155K miles. Even the chain was in pretty good shape. The mechanic I was working with said he typically replaced these parts around 80-100K.

I don't really know if you can replace the guides and the rubbing block without removing the chain, but its so easy to pull the gears to remove the chain, I wouldn't worry.