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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: ltsiopou on July 09, 2003, 11:17:55 PM

Title: Symptoms of a bad camchain tensioner?
Post by: ltsiopou on July 09, 2003, 11:17:55 PM
Hi guys,

 I 'd like describe to you what is happening now when I start the engine. Generally my GS runs great. Lately, when I start the engine (it starts first time always) and I open the throttle slowly from idle to about 2500 rpm during warming up, I can feel a movement from the engine just before 2000 rpm. It feels like the camchain is getting the correct tension at that time and stays tight if I don't let the rpm to drop back to idle. Do you think it's time to put a new camchain tensioner on the GS? The bike now has 36000 km. On Tuesday it's going for a valve check. Should I ask from the mechanic to check the camchain and the tensioner (he should feel this movement by himself when he drives the bike).

Thank you for any replies!
Title: Re: Symptoms of a bad camchain tensioner?
Post by: Kerry on July 10, 2003, 02:21:20 AM
Quote from: ltsiopouShould I ask from the mechanic to check the camchain and the tensioner
Sounds like a good idea, since he will have things apart anyway.

My '96 exhibits a soft "clunk" every second or two (it varies) when I'm idling at a stop light.  My guess is that I'm hearing a loose camchain, but I haven't confirmed that yet.  I need to look into it before I put too many more miles on the bike.

I'll be interested to hear what you find out.
Title: Symptoms of a bad camchain tensioner?
Post by: V8Pinto on July 10, 2003, 07:33:28 AM
Mine is making noises, though not what you describe.  Mine sounds like if you took off the rocker cover and took a lenth of chain and loosely dragged it across the hollow rocker cover.  Then it will get quiet, then at some revs it gets noisy again.

I bought a cam chain tensioner from Greg Gabis (this site) and will install it this weekend.  We'll see if that fixes it.

Also I noticed valve noise now so it looks like I might be doing a valve adjust soon too...
Title: Valve...cam chain...
Post by: The Buddha on July 10, 2003, 08:09:57 AM
Valve noises are very similar to a metallic tapping usually most audible at just above idle. Cam chain noises are more of a grinding or rattling noise that typically sounds like a blender full of marbles and is pretty audible at idle. Cam chain tensioners can be wound back tight and put back in. Mine went at 22K miles.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Symptoms of a bad camchain tensioner?
Post by: V8Pinto on July 10, 2003, 04:28:43 PM
Interesting.......  

1.  My bike has 29K on it
2.  I just pulled the cam chain tensioner out to fix a leaky gasket a few hundred miles ago.....

Yes, it sounds like marbles in a tin container....AND I have the tick tick noise now.

I think that my tensioner has gone (I just bought one to swap in) and I also need a valve adjustment.

Anybody know how much is average to expect from a dealer for the valve adjustment?  I am "time challenged" these days...
Title: Symptoms of a bad camchain tensioner?
Post by: Rashad on July 11, 2003, 11:28:48 AM
Quote from: V8PintoInteresting.......  

1.  My bike has 29K on it
2.  I just pulled the cam chain tensioner out to fix a leaky gasket a few hundred miles ago.....

Yes, it sounds like marbles in a tin container....AND I have the tick tick noise now.

I think that my tensioner has gone (I just bought one to swap in) and I also need a valve adjustment.

Anybody know how much is average to expect from a dealer for the valve adjustment?  I am "time challenged" these days...

I would be afraid to see how much they want for that. Just do it yourself.

Its simple.. remove the valve cover, use a feeler gauge to measure the gap between the cam lobes and the shim (check the Clymer for measurements and details).. and then put in the appropriate shims.. takes 5 minutes.. unless the shim wont come out :nana: .. dont ask how that happens..