tc 88 cam tensioner failure
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Joined: Apr 2009
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tc 88 cam tensioner failure
Club brother with 02 fl cop bike at 50,000+ miles put straight 60w oil , cooler and power commander on bike. Now he rides in any good day here in Michigan , year round . So what do you think caused tensioner failure?
I say thick oil caused engine to not get oiled properly on cold day starts, and our local HD dealer dosent recomend using a cooler ( except to keep beer cold ) Thanks for any insight
Axleshaff
I say thick oil caused engine to not get oiled properly on cold day starts, and our local HD dealer dosent recomend using a cooler ( except to keep beer cold ) Thanks for any insight
Axleshaff
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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IMO, his tensioners lasted a good life. They do wear out, ya know.
I've seen 'em shot in as little as 20k miles in bike using alledgedly better synthetic oil. On the other hand mine were in pretty good shape at 52k miles with all of it on that evil HD dino oil.
Basically, they wear out and their is no rhyme or reason why.
I've seen 'em shot in as little as 20k miles in bike using alledgedly better synthetic oil. On the other hand mine were in pretty good shape at 52k miles with all of it on that evil HD dino oil.
Basically, they wear out and their is no rhyme or reason why.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
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From: USA
Crankshaft runout will cause the cam tensioner shoes to wearout early as the chain will flop around and the tensioner will lose contact with the chain and then when the crank comes around in a concentric circle will get pressed into the chain again. This on again off again contact between the tensioner shoe & chain will wear it out in less time than normal. If you friend got to 50k he is doing pretty good as many are worn out in the 30-40k range. Oil won't make much difference unless you don't have any. The oil cooler is irrelevant.
BUt tell your friend 20w50 is fine all year for Michigan.
BUt tell your friend 20w50 is fine all year for Michigan.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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There are lots of theories to why they wear. However, for nearly every one of those theories, I've seen an example that contradicts it.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
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From: USA
Yeah, but the crank runout is most difficult to disprove..
Some guys think it is just the quality of finish on the chain or the quality of the tensioner material. But I think it's a silly design. Like rubber timing belts in car engines. I think they should put gear driven cams in all the engines and do away with the impossible prediction of the life of these things. You should be able to buy a stock harley and ride it 100k without ever having to crack open the engine. IMHO
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Thank you, this post make sense to me. My next question is what is the best fix. I need to start saving now if I am going to need new cams. I am thinking the new style oil pump kit.
Crankshaft runout will cause the cam tensioner shoes to wearout early as the chain will flop around and the tensioner will lose contact with the chain and then when the crank comes around in a concentric circle will get pressed into the chain again. This on again off again contact between the tensioner shoe & chain will wear it out in less time than normal. If you friend got to 50k he is doing pretty good as many are worn out in the 30-40k range. Oil won't make much difference unless you don't have any. The oil cooler is irrelevant.
BUt tell your friend 20w50 is fine all year for Michigan.
BUt tell your friend 20w50 is fine all year for Michigan.