Got a leak at the tensioner. I am going to replace both gaskets, where the tensioner meets the head and where the lid is on the tensioner over the spring.
I realize not to turn the engine over while its out.
What about re tensioning it? Is it always necessary?
I have read where you have to wedge something in to hold the shaft in while reinstalling?
Its also necessary to have the oil drained or can this be done without draining the oil and on the center stand?
Found some helpful info here:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=28174.0
When you take the tensioner off the spring will unwind and the tensioner will extend all the way. Remove the cover and clean up gasket surfaces and stick the new gasket to the tensioner face. Then you need to put a screwdriver in the slot exposed when the cover is removed and turn the center screw clockwise many turns until the the tensioner rod is retracted far enough the get the tensioner up against the engine and put in the 2 bolts holding the tensioner and snug them down. You can then release the screwdriver and the tensioner rod will spring forward and adjust cam chain tension automatically. Tighten tensioner bolts properly and put the cover back on with it's 2 bolts and your done.
It's real easy with 3 hands but a little tricky with 2. I did it so you can too. No need to drain oil but best to have valve cover off to check to make sure cam chain tension is OK after a few turns of the engine.
gsJack,
Thank you sir. Kind of bummed I should take the valve covers off again.. I had them off when I first got this bike ready in the spring.. oh well it will serve my OCD and I can quadruple check the valves!
Do you know if the gasket between the tensioner and its cover ever leaks? Maybe that is all that is leaking on mine... Is that spring in oil?
I don't recall seeing any oil under the screw cover on mine, there is no internal seal to keep it out but it's well above the oil level. Only time I had mine off was back in 05 at about 20k miles on my 02 GS when a sticking bucket caused a broken exhaust valve and I had to pull the head. I ordered head and cyl base gaskets only so I reused the old gaskets on the tensioner and they haven't leaked yet and bikes over 99k miles now. Have you tried to tighten the bolts holding your tensioner and clean up around it to see if it stops the leak without changing gaskets?
Your choice whether you open the valve cover while you change the gaskets, I was glad I still had mine off because I got my tensioner one tooth too tight and the cam chain was very tight. I decided to keep turning the engine over slowly with wrench on crank to get back on the timing marks before fooling with the tensioner again and it popped back a tooth while turning it and cam chain tension was OK then. I think the tensioner is designed to retreat a notch if the chain gets too tight while tightening during normal operation. :dunno_black: