Tensioner Assembly - 1982 XJ650 Maxim

The guys at the local cycle shop told me when I asked them what this new noise was is that the tensioner is going. My question is this. When I replace the tensioner, should I also replace the camshaft chain? Thanks guys.

 

No. I would first try to adjust the tensioner. If you have a manual one it can be reset. To do this remove the left side point cover and rotate the engine until the timing pointer is pointing to the C mark. Then release the jamnut on the tensioner. It is on the part that looks like a bolt sticking out of the body of the tensioner. After loosening the jamnut loosen the bolt also and the internal spring will push the tensioner into place. You may hear a click when this is done. Then tighten the bolt followed by the jamnut.
If you don't find a bolt sticking out of the tensioner body then you have an automatic tensioner. It doesn't need to be reset hence the term automatic. It may however need to be cleaned. Camchains usually go before tensioners do. Check for what is really wrong before you release the cash.

 

Question: If the camchain is shot would an indication be that it has more slack than the tensioner takes up?

How do we know if we need camchains?

 

32,000 Miles???

Brother ... even under adverse riding conditions ... you got yourself at least another 15 > 20,000 miles before you need to start sweating about your cam chain.

Determine what kind of tensioner is on that baby ... and just do the "Manual chain slack maneuver." (Automatic or Not)

Do it a couple of times ... just to be on the safe side ... what the heck?

Thank you for coming to the XJBikes Forum for your "Second Opinion."

Go tell the guy who told you -- you needed a Cam Chain -- that I said he's pretty good if he said it with a straight face ... but, he really should have had some panty hose pulled down over his face for trying to rip you off for a Cam Chain job ... when all he'd have done is reset the damn thing and take your hard-earned money!!!!

 

One good indicator is that the camchain slaps the top of the valve cover. Another is with the valve cover removed the center top camchain guide can be easily removed. There should be some tension that makes it hard to pull the guide up enough to clear it's seat and then slip out from under the camchain. This is of course with the tensioner adjusted and excerting the correct amount of tension.
The reason Rick correctly stated that you had much more mileage on the chain is that it works under ideal conditions. Flooded with oil. It actually get immersed in oil on it's bottom length of travel and then sprayed on it's top travel. No where near subject to the same wear an exterior chain would undergo.

 

I had cam chain slap on the valve cover (buzzing noise), so I swapped it out, along with guides. The chain was the same length as the new one. I had just over 50,000 miles on mine. The front guide had broken, about an inch below the valve cover, allowing enough slack to develop for the chain to contact the inner surface of the cover at around 3000-4000rpm. You might want to pull the valve cover and check to see if the same thing has happened to yours, if the tensioner is not stuck in place. Mine has an auto-tensioner.

 

Dunno Mate 30,000 miles is a lot .. Sure it could go more but once there is sideslop in the chain do you really wanna ignore it.
New OEM chains are less than $50.. Get the Riveted or master link type and the replacement is an afternoon job.

 

Nah! I had over 60K miles on my other engine with no replacement of the camchain or need to.

 

Before you start taking anything apart ... just try Manually resetting the tensioner.

It takes about a whole 15-minutes ... start to finish.

Just give it a shot ... you got nothing to lose.

 

I've run 80K on my 81 and have had no problems yet. Just adjust the bugger, as Rick says, ya got nothing to loose.

 

I believe you ..but I've heard that claim all too often.. My car has 300, 000miles and it runs 'fine' Yeah, really? compared to what ? a Massey Ferguson ?;-)
I come from a background where engine life is measured in less hours than the normal person has fingers on their Left hand... well Dohh ..Racing. Engines are at peak power/performance the first time they are fired up.. they are downhill from then on.. Some (race units) deteriorate faster.. but they all do.. There are those who take perverse pride in the aged condition of their machinery.. I don't ..If it ain't 'right' it's Crap. Different worlds obviously

 

NUP same worlds , same old story just because one does it all should do it , alot o cam chains have only lasted 20/30k in the past , i personally think that those "should last this long' must feel veeerry special in the world , i gotta bigga one than you scenario , i have yet to work out what they are selling?

Same as tyres , last this/that long , ride like a old lady with meno pause and tyres will last long . so i agree too Danilo in what you typed.

DAY talky crap.

 

I presented my objective experience. I hear your subjective points but so far no real data. Not every engine will wear the same since the maintenance is subjective/relative. In general the camchains last beyond 30k miles. Mine did last beyond 60k and that is that. All ego aside empirical data is empirical data. Sorry if your ego can't accept it. My suggestion as was Roberts was to check and do the simple thing first. Check, and I will of course accept an answer different that I expected. I will and should continue to give advice based on my personal experience and the collective experience of those on this forum and others whom I trust.

 

Before we split into two groups for an endless debate on this issue ... Why don't we "Call the meeting to order" and get the results from a Manual Reset attempt or two!

This whole discussion is for naught ... if the procedure for Manually Adjusting the tensioner is followed, once or twice, and the motor-scootin' thing goes "CLICK"!

Please?

 

YEEEAH , OK , but you ever looked at those websites that review older bikes nearly all say in their faults department or things to watch out for when buying is , camchain replacement is needed as early as 40k klm's as a common factor or at least a early failure , now i do not bewieve everything i see on da net , but that , with the other , says there is NO standard rate but a majority with exceptions.

 

Max, you hit the nail. Thumbnail life span is a loose term at best. Each machine is subject to entirely different environments and maintenance standards so no one shoe is going to fit. I'm a nut about oil changes and I don't push my machine very hard (if at all). Probably explains why my motor is happily alive still. HooNz, you have a good point about watching what the failure rate is on various parts, your right about there being no standard. Can't think of anyone wanting to spend the time to find the mean time between failures on machines as old as ours. That would be a headache and a half.