Hi, I'm pretty sure I know the answer but just wanted to check.
My cam chain tensioner seems to be at the end of its stroke and that would mean its time to change the cam chain right?
Also theres no need to change the tensioner is there if it still works?
Heres a few photos of the tensioner plunger
Cam chain stretched and need changing?
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- Smousley1995
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Cam chain stretched and need changing?
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Cam chain stretched and need changing?
It does look like your tensioner has reached the end of it's extension period!
Yes this does mean it's time for a new cam chain, and no you don't necessarily need to replace the tensioner. Some people do it for peace of mind, but if you try and push down the plunger, without moving the ratchet and it stays put, it is fine to be reused!
Jamie
Yes this does mean it's time for a new cam chain, and no you don't necessarily need to replace the tensioner. Some people do it for peace of mind, but if you try and push down the plunger, without moving the ratchet and it stays put, it is fine to be reused!
Jamie
- Smousley1995
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Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
cheers, at least I'm not missing any sun while I'm in the garage then
Why take life so seriously, your not going to come out alive!
- banner001
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Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
yup that chain needs to go, read Randall guide, it's pretty comprehensive.
Also, you will need to do your valve clearances after changing the cam chain.
Watch out when you put the cam cap covers back on, make sure the oil feed is located on the exhaust side, it's common for people to not locate it and when they tighten the bolts down it breaks...and it's an expensive mistake!
Also, you will need to do your valve clearances after changing the cam chain.
Watch out when you put the cam cap covers back on, make sure the oil feed is located on the exhaust side, it's common for people to not locate it and when they tighten the bolts down it breaks...and it's an expensive mistake!
UK ZXR400 L3 (1993) - Fully restored and on the roads, my green beast!
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said
- Smousley1995
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- Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:22 am
- My Bike: Zxr 400 L 1993
- Location: Swansea
Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
I was looking at that guide earlier actually.
I understand as the chain stretches, it can advance or retard the timing slightly but I would have thought the valve clearances would remain constant?
Haha I made this mistake the first time I ever had the caps off, already done thatbanner001 wrote: Watch out when you put the cam cap covers back on, make sure the oil feed is located on the exhaust side, it's common for people to not locate it and when they tighten the bolts down it breaks...and it's an expensive mistake!
Just curious as to why I'd need to do re-do the valve clearances?banner001 wrote: Also, you will need to do your valve clearances after changing the cam chain.
I understand as the chain stretches, it can advance or retard the timing slightly but I would have thought the valve clearances would remain constant?
Why take life so seriously, your not going to come out alive!
- banner001
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Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
either way, its a 5 minute job, and everything is already exposed anyways, makes sense to check it in my book.
Last edited by banner001 on Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
UK ZXR400 L3 (1993) - Fully restored and on the roads, my green beast!
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said
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Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
I'm completely confused by this. Can someone explain to me how a worn camchain makes the valve gap clearance smaller. Surely if the timing marks are aligned when measureing the gap is the same regardless of camchain wear.
I underrstand it's a good idea to check gaps when the cover is off annyway to fit new chain but the logic that the gap is reduced by chainwaer is weird
I underrstand it's a good idea to check gaps when the cover is off annyway to fit new chain but the logic that the gap is reduced by chainwaer is weird
- banner001
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Re: Cam chain stretched and need changing?
yeah i think that was my morning-brain not working fine (first day back at work), even with a stretched chain the valve should be under the base-circle of the cam, and not touching the lobe so the clearance will be the same, i suppose if it was massively off there would be a possibility that your exhaust gap would get smaller as it would be advanced too far (there are 31 pins between timing mark to timing mark, as the chain stretches this distance becomes larger and advances the exhaust, i.e. if the 31 pins=200mm before then after its stretched its now 205mm).ManxMan wrote:I'm completely confused by this. Can someone explain to me how a worn camchain makes the valve gap clearance smaller. Surely if the timing marks are aligned when measureing the gap is the same regardless of camchain wear.
I underrstand it's a good idea to check gaps when the cover is off annyway to fit new chain but the logic that the gap is reduced by chainwaer is weird
still, its a good idea to check them all.
UK ZXR400 L3 (1993) - Fully restored and on the roads, my green beast!
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said
JPN ZXR250 A2 (1990) - Revs to 19,200rpm... 'nuff said