My cam chain adjustment didn't work

I'm all thumbs and my attempt to get the slack outta my cam chain didn't pan out. Here's what I did:

Pulled the plugs.
Popped that left cover. One of the screws snapped off and is stuck in the caseing. Is the remaining three going to be enough?
Mr. Omatic has advised usuing a suitable wrench, use the 4 sided ..bolt thing... in there turn the engine 2 rev. the natural running direction. Is that counter clockwise while faceing the ignt. crank there? This should present the slack. then wrench it over the other direcetion while having an assistant tap the tensioner . (mine is automatic. AM I using the atuomatic procedure?)I was unable to smoothly rotate the engine in either direction, b/c the grearshift lever was inthe way on one side and the little crash bar on the other. and all I could turn up for a suitable wrench was my adjustable. I was able to rapidly turn it 1/4 turn at a time, but not smoothly. I could use a few pointers on how to fine tune my procedure. Or maybe just directions to prev. posts that contain more info. Thanks all for your time.

 

And adjustable wrench is a BAD idea. You need an appropriate ratchet, socket, and extension.

 

Mine has an automatic tensioner. I was told to replace the chain when the auto didn't take up the slack, but I have a seca...

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=5666/

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=7584/

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... tment.html

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... tment.html

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... tment.html

Here are a few to get you started...

 

I'm not usually this lame with a wrench, but seriously what size is that four sided flat nut? I seem to have only sockets that are to big or two small....
is just a reg. socket the "appropriate" tool? or do i need a special one for that flat hex or whatever it is.
Thanks

 

I thinks it's 19mm........

 

I'm not sure what the proper tool to use is....
I tried just a regular 1/2"drive socket and 21mm is to small and 22 is to big. Does that funny square nut require a special tool? If I was sitting on the bike i would be trying to roll the crank over on the left side. is that the correct place to be? thanks for looking!

 

with the plugs out, put bike in 5 th gear roll the bike backwards untill the C on the timing plate lines up with the fixed pointer, then sharply jolt the bike forwards.

 

Benny,

First time I tried this I had the same problem. Somehow the next time I got a 21mm to fit on the nut (I think it was 21). Since the nut is square you need to use a 12pt. socket and I may not have paid attention and I may have been trying with a 6pt on my first attempt.

Counterclockwise is the normal rotation direction on my bike when facing the left side. You can verify this by giving the starter button a tap once the plugs are out. You need to use an extension long enough to clear the gaurd.

 

The automatic adjuster really shouldn't require any adjustment steps.

I'd be tempted to pull the adjuster and make sure it's not stuck. Probably a good idea to rotate the engine counter clockwise to the "C" mark before removing the adjuster, that way the slack is in the right place when you put it back in.

The bolt on the back of the tensioner loads the spring. Probably best to remove that before pulling the tensioner.

There is a cam in the tensioner that only allows the plunger to move in toward the engine. You'll need to release the cam with your finger and push the plunger all the way back before installing.

Once the tensioner is back in install the spring and the bolt.

If the tensioner won't take up the slack you probably need to replace the guides and/or the chain.

 

Maybe I'll pull the tensioner then. I tried rolling the engine over with a twelve point 21mm it was too big. and then with a twelve point 20mm that sunofagun was too small. Is this method of cranking the engine over with that square nut for the adjustable tensioner? Or is it supposed to be a reminder for a automatic tensioner? And why the fuzz can I not find a socket to fit that square nut? What imperial socket size would be between 20 and 21 mm? Not that I believe to have imperial stuff, I'm just running out of crap to try with out making a project out of this....

 

I don't know what you have but i have a special set of 8 sided sockets that i use on square bolts, i run into them all the time, check out home depot or lowe's or whatever you have over in Saskatoon... PS love the R2 avatar.