Cam chain tensioner problems with an 88
#21
04-03-2012, 11:33 PM
You better start cutting your oil filters open and look for orange plastic.
#22
04-04-2012, 02:51 AM
Has anyone been notified from the Motor Co. that we may have a problem the cam chain tensioners? Can you find it in your manual when you should inspect for it? Is it listed on the schedule maintenance page? I could not find it. Nor has the motor co. sent out any info on this, that it may be a problem as per the Customer Rep. from Harley. Mine went at 30k. The motor co. said they don't give any assistance on help with the bill, but if you haven't paid the dealer for the work yet, you should negotiate the bill with them. I said it is not the dealers responsibility to publish a warning letter for a known problem that Harley has, but the Motor Co. I think the Motor Co. should review it's policies. Issue a notice that said part maybe faulty and to have it addressed at nearest Dealer. I won't hold my breath..... Tom1169
#25
04-04-2012, 07:03 AM
especially the earlier ones. I thing after about 03 the material was a bit stronger. There was really no ryme or reason for how they wore. When I checked mine last year, the inner shoe which you have to view with a lighted mirror was in good shape after 55K. I had more wear on the outer shoe. Most folks have had the opposite happen with the inner one the point of failure. I babied the engine for the first 20K. I got a feeling that that is why I've been able to last longer. It's just like sex ... smooth and easy .. you will go all night.
#26
04-04-2012, 07:39 AM
I've thought about it. Got an 05 that will hit 70K tonight on the way home. Have not replaced the shoes yet. They looked pretty good last winter at 55K. I spoke to dealer, they told me they would NOT replace old style shoes. They only do the upgrade cam plate/oil pump and of course recommend, new bearings upgraded cam, adjustable push rods, lifters, exaust, power commander, dyno. What kind of F'n racket are they running over there. I'm not ready to upgrade yet. Yeah, nothing in the owners manual or service manual about even checking those F'ers.
Should have been a class action suit a long time ago on this one. I realize that a retro fit for free is expensive. Yeah, I've been one of the luckier ones so far but I'm on borrowed time now. I can't afford what the dealer "thinks" I should do.
I've got a slight oil seep in the rear rocker cover, so I know I will have to remove the tank to change the gasket. May as well slip the push rods out, clamp up the lifters, remove cam chest cover, take out the plate and replace the shoes myself. May take a couple of days to do but .....
Should have been a class action suit a long time ago on this one. I realize that a retro fit for free is expensive. Yeah, I've been one of the luckier ones so far but I'm on borrowed time now. I can't afford what the dealer "thinks" I should do.
I've got a slight oil seep in the rear rocker cover, so I know I will have to remove the tank to change the gasket. May as well slip the push rods out, clamp up the lifters, remove cam chest cover, take out the plate and replace the shoes myself. May take a couple of days to do but .....
#28
04-04-2012, 08:15 AM
Since nobody has done so yet.
Here is a pic one of mine at 40K. I was lucky. My bike was one of the cam bearing failure bikes back in 1999. Repair of the failure included new tensioners. Nonetheless, I am real happy with my SE hydralic set up and Andrews cams now. Best money I have spend on my bike.
Here is a pic one of mine at 40K. I was lucky. My bike was one of the cam bearing failure bikes back in 1999. Repair of the failure included new tensioners. Nonetheless, I am real happy with my SE hydralic set up and Andrews cams now. Best money I have spend on my bike.
#29
04-04-2012, 08:28 AM
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When I was looking to buy my 01 EG the first thing out of everyone's mouth was "Have the tensioners been changed? You better check them". With 57k on the clock I assumed they may have been done already. The top end had a rattle that was a lil loud but I got a deal on the bike because of it. To make a long story short a bad lifter was causing the rattle. Found that while I was checking my tensioners. Inner was 50-60% worn. Outer was roughly 40%. Since I was in there I put in a set of Andys 26 cams, cam bearings, new stock lifters, adj pushrods and stock tensioners. I heard a lot of talk about the hyd upgrade but at the same time I've heard that the tensioner failure was less a design flaw and more related to bad shoe material. The ol girl carries excellent oil pressure. I'm happy with the way I went. Figured I could keep my eye on those tensioners and spend that $700 on something else.
#30
04-04-2012, 08:51 AM
Almost 40K on my '06 Deuce. Had the money put back for an upgrade with cams etc., but my Daughters tranny went south in her Honda and Daddy is back to pinching pennies again. Good luck to those of us still running stock shoe assemblies.