09 SG cam tensioner let loose
#21
01-31-2017, 08:39 PM
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Thanks for the reply & answers to my questions.
Your answers seem to indicate the premature failure of the cam chain tensioners on your bike doesnt look to have been hastened & or caused by poor maint or cruising at higher then normal rpm because you did good maint & didnt abuse the bike.
I dont know for sure but just like (NMPGRider) stated i too have suspect the excessive heat our hd's produce has a significant affect on srv'c of the plastic/teflon type material the rubbing blocks on cam chain & primary tensioners are made of along with that same excessive heat having a negative affect on many other components in general on our HD's too.
Things that are located behind rear cyl really take a beating heat wise like for ex the starter,coil,battery,ecm on top of battery & more.
Scott
Thanks for the reply & answers to my questions.
Your answers seem to indicate the premature failure of the cam chain tensioners on your bike doesnt look to have been hastened & or caused by poor maint or cruising at higher then normal rpm because you did good maint & didnt abuse the bike.
I dont know for sure but just like (NMPGRider) stated i too have suspect the excessive heat our hd's produce has a significant affect on srv'c of the plastic/teflon type material the rubbing blocks on cam chain & primary tensioners are made of along with that same excessive heat having a negative affect on many other components in general on our HD's too.
Things that are located behind rear cyl really take a beating heat wise like for ex the starter,coil,battery,ecm on top of battery & more.
Scott
#22
02-01-2017, 08:49 AM
I agree with that theory of plastics not belonging in oil and heat but we also tend to loose sight on a forum of how many don't fail.
That gets complicated though because alot of guys who own bikes don't really ride them alot. (I think anyway)
Perhaps we do ride them on this forum but generally speaking I would guess most don't rack up miles like we do.
None the less.......it does happen and when these little darlings fail they do alot of damage.
That gets complicated though because alot of guys who own bikes don't really ride them alot. (I think anyway)
Perhaps we do ride them on this forum but generally speaking I would guess most don't rack up miles like we do.
None the less.......it does happen and when these little darlings fail they do alot of damage.
#23
02-01-2017, 10:45 AM
Road Captain
I figured I'd share that my bike which has < 50,000 miles just gave me a present.
Apparently the one cam tensioner completely wore down through the tensioner material itself and exposed the metal post which the tensioner rides on.
This meant the cam chain was whirling on metal to metal and spewing metal fragments in bottom end and sending junk to the motor. (No damage up top though) Those fragments took out the oil pump by galling the inside, wore the chain, sent fragments thru the motor.
The other tensioner was not far behind this one but did not get down to the metal post yet but was wearing into the tensioner material.
I decided to allow the mechanic to do some other stuff while he is in there.
We are replacing as I said the chains, going with new fueling cams to replace the S&S easy starts, a complete new Fueling kit with bearings, gaskets, billet cam plate, new aftermarket oil pump and new tappets rollers and push rods. What the hell.
Check those cam tensioners guys!
Apparently the one cam tensioner completely wore down through the tensioner material itself and exposed the metal post which the tensioner rides on.
This meant the cam chain was whirling on metal to metal and spewing metal fragments in bottom end and sending junk to the motor. (No damage up top though) Those fragments took out the oil pump by galling the inside, wore the chain, sent fragments thru the motor.
The other tensioner was not far behind this one but did not get down to the metal post yet but was wearing into the tensioner material.
I decided to allow the mechanic to do some other stuff while he is in there.
We are replacing as I said the chains, going with new fueling cams to replace the S&S easy starts, a complete new Fueling kit with bearings, gaskets, billet cam plate, new aftermarket oil pump and new tappets rollers and push rods. What the hell.
Check those cam tensioners guys!
#24
02-01-2017, 10:50 AM
#25
02-01-2017, 11:39 AM
I agree with that theory of plastics not belonging in oil and heat but we also tend to loose sight on a forum of how many don't fail.
That gets complicated though because alot of guys who own bikes don't really ride them alot. (I think anyway)
Perhaps we do ride them on this forum but generally speaking I would guess most don't rack up miles like we do.
None the less.......it does happen and when these little darlings fail they do alot of damage.
That gets complicated though because alot of guys who own bikes don't really ride them alot. (I think anyway)
Perhaps we do ride them on this forum but generally speaking I would guess most don't rack up miles like we do.
None the less.......it does happen and when these little darlings fail they do alot of damage.
I wouldnt be surprised if bike that saw many more open road miles vs more miles @ slower road speeds & stop/go traffic would be likely be cases where oil/motors run hotter affecting the plastic/teflon type material the rubbing blocks are made of.
Anyway,seems like you caught it just in time to avoid complete engine failure.
Good luck with the repairs & don't forget to post back in this thread how it worked out when completed.
Scott
#26
02-01-2017, 01:01 PM
Contact IB Sales to have your account opened
Hey Gliden, Sorry about your motor! You mentioned in the Bold Print , that you popped an oil line at 80 mph! What line was that, was it connected to the UltraCool oil cooler? How many degrees did the UltraCool lower your oil temp ? Thanks! BJ
#27
02-01-2017, 01:01 PM
Unlike 99.9% of the people expressing opinions on this thread, and every other one concerning plastic parts....whether it be cam tensioners, primary chain tensioner, or ABS vs fiberglass saddlebags...or fairings...or lowers....etc etc., a few of us have actually worked in this industry, and have some knowledge rather than opinions. I have stated before, and will say again, plastic parts have no business being in a hot running environment, like our Harley engines.
They will fail. Any farmer will tell you that even cast iron will fail at 30 below zero, but last forever at 30 above. Plastic is the opposite....the hotter the environment, the sooner the fail.
They will fail. Any farmer will tell you that even cast iron will fail at 30 below zero, but last forever at 30 above. Plastic is the opposite....the hotter the environment, the sooner the fail.
#28
02-01-2017, 01:28 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Unlike 99.9% of the people expressing opinions on this thread, and every other one concerning plastic parts....whether it be cam tensioners, primary chain tensioner, or ABS vs fiberglass saddlebags...or fairings...or lowers....etc etc., a few of us have actually worked in this industry, and have some knowledge rather than opinions. I have stated before, and will say again, plastic parts have no business being in a hot running environment, like our Harley engines.
They will fail. Any farmer will tell you that even cast iron will fail at 30 below zero, but last forever at 30 above. Plastic is the opposite....the hotter the environment, the sooner the fail.
They will fail. Any farmer will tell you that even cast iron will fail at 30 below zero, but last forever at 30 above. Plastic is the opposite....the hotter the environment, the sooner the fail.
Either way, who cares.
Last edited by lp; 02-01-2017 at 01:30 PM.
#29
02-01-2017, 02:10 PM
The hose rubbed thru under the bike on a trip back from Tennessee. Small nightmare that day was. Lol
Ultra cool rules! Great product.
#30
02-01-2017, 02:47 PM
