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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: applecrew on September 16, 2008, 09:36:55 AM

Title: Cam Chain Tensioners, Tines, and Search...
Post by: applecrew on September 16, 2008, 09:36:55 AM
First off, I did something dumb.

Desperate to measure an exhaust shim that I knew I'd have to replace, and not having the proper tools, I popped the camshaft a bit, first loosening the tensioner to give some slack in the cam chain.  I was VERY careful not to upset cam timing.  The end result is I got the shim out and measured it... now I can order the replacement.

The dumb part is that I didn't pull the tensioner out all the way.  Had I done so, I might have realized the one-way nature of the plunger when I re-installed the tensioner.  Being the dope I am  :oops:, I didn't.  Just bolted it right up.  The motor was not happy and I had a hell of a time getting it started.  Yeah, I even rode a bit.  :cookoo:

Knowing that things were not well, I invoked the search, and came across a lot of discussion about the CCT, and more importantly, how to reinstall properly.  Many thanks to DerekNC for the metal lawn rake tine tip!  I didn't quite understand when I read it, but after pulling the CCT all the way out and pulling the little rubber bung out, it all became very clear how the tine came into play.  Worked like a charm... and my motor is SO much happier.

The good, the bad, and the ugly:  The plunger was OK and undamaged.  There were some very fine bits (two pieces) of (presumably) the cam chain guide, so I did put some unnecessary wear into it, which means I'll need to replace the lower guide sooner than later - definitely my bad, and I'll pay for it sometime in the future.

So, she's a little worse for the wear, but running well again (and will get the shim replaced soon)...

We learn from our mistakes, even though some mistakes cost a bit more than just time...

Title: Re: Cam Chain Tensioners, Tines, and Search...
Post by: Danny500 on September 16, 2008, 01:28:39 PM
Sounds like a load of fun! I normally love trial and error wrenching but when it comes down to the motor I try to do all the research I can first. I still haven't got enough balls to do the needle-washer trick for fear of f'ing up a fuel line or wrecking a part of the carburetor trying to disassemble everything. Lol.

I'll wait till my Chilton manual comes in for that.. lol.

Dan
Title: Re: Cam Chain Tensioners, Tines, and Search...
Post by: Ronin on September 16, 2008, 01:32:35 PM
Someone mentioned tightning or rewinding the cam chain tension at one time...How do you tighten it? Done a check in the achive,nothing there I could find. thank's  :cheers:

Found it....never mind :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Cam Chain Tensioners, Tines, and Search...
Post by: ATLRIDER on September 16, 2008, 03:21:06 PM
Quote from: applecrew on September 16, 2008, 09:36:55 AM
First off, I did something dumb.

Desperate to measure an exhaust shim that I knew I'd have to replace, and not having the proper tools, I popped the camshaft a bit, first loosening the tensioner to give some slack in the cam chain.  I was VERY careful not to upset cam timing.  The end result is I got the shim out and measured it... now I can order the replacement.

The dumb part is that I didn't pull the tensioner out all the way.  Had I done so, I might have realized the one-way nature of the plunger when I re-installed the tensioner.  Being the dope I am  :oops:, I didn't.  Just bolted it right up.  The motor was not happy and I had a hell of a time getting it started.  Yeah, I even rode a bit.  :cookoo:

Knowing that things were not well, I invoked the search, and came across a lot of discussion about the CCT, and more importantly, how to reinstall properly.  Many thanks to DerekNC for the metal lawn rake tine tip!  I didn't quite understand when I read it, but after pulling the CCT all the way out and pulling the little rubber bung out, it all became very clear how the tine came into play.  Worked like a charm... and my motor is SO much happier.

The good, the bad, and the ugly:  The plunger was OK and undamaged.  There were some very fine bits (two pieces) of (presumably) the cam chain guide, so I did put some unnecessary wear into it, which means I'll need to replace the lower guide sooner than later - definitely my bad, and I'll pay for it sometime in the future.

So, she's a little worse for the wear, but running well again (and will get the shim replaced soon)...

We learn from our mistakes, even though some mistakes cost a bit more than just time...


Just curious but is there any reason you didn't use the valve adjustment tool to compress the bucket? 
Title: Re: Cam Chain Tensioners, Tines, and Search...
Post by: applecrew on September 16, 2008, 03:27:14 PM
Yeah....

Ain't got one.... yet.... :oops: