Chain tensioners, motor noise, and warranties
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Volusia County, FL
The noise I hear is what sounds like an old air cooled Volkswagen motor that needs a valve lash adjustment. Some have said it could be caused by cam chain tensioners, and the motor has just about 30k on it, so I guess it's time to check them.
I think there is a problem with the valvetrain, but I can't get a dealer to agree with me to look at it. They will agree the motor has excessive noise, but none of them will look into it.
I think there is a problem with the valvetrain, but I can't get a dealer to agree with me to look at it. They will agree the motor has excessive noise, but none of them will look into it.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
If it any help to you, my 02 Ultra has 32,000 on it and the inner tensioner is basically gone. The only real indication from it was the fluctuating oil pressure readings. I am in the process of pulling it apart to replace/upgrade or what ever I have to do. The top end never got really loud. I did seem to have a bit more noise in the cam chest area compared to some bikes, but, I heard others that were just as loud.
You may not be able to get a real accurate inner tensoner look by just taking the cover off, but it can be done. Mine was so bad it was easy to figure out. BTW, the outer tensioner didn't look all that bad at all. The inner one is possibly running on the metal frame for the shoe. I should know a little bit as I am going out to finish pulling it apart. Good luck!
Neil
RDMC
You may not be able to get a real accurate inner tensoner look by just taking the cover off, but it can be done. Mine was so bad it was easy to figure out. BTW, the outer tensioner didn't look all that bad at all. The inner one is possibly running on the metal frame for the shoe. I should know a little bit as I am going out to finish pulling it apart. Good luck!
Neil
RDMC
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
The peices of the tensioner breaking up get ingested by the oil pump. This causes damage to the oil pump, OR, the peices get stuck in the bypass and cause oil pump pressure issues.
After just pulling the cam plate from my bike I am not sure the pump is damaged. It does have some scouring on the cam plate that is used as the outside of the pump. I don't think the scouring is enough to need replacement. I have not cleaned up the oil pump yet to check the geroter setup, but, it doesn't look bad. It looks as though I may be able to replace the tensioners and put it all back together.
The worst case is I need replace the cam plate and oil pump along with the tensioners. I should know by tomorrow when I clean everything up and check it out.
Neil
RDMC
After just pulling the cam plate from my bike I am not sure the pump is damaged. It does have some scouring on the cam plate that is used as the outside of the pump. I don't think the scouring is enough to need replacement. I have not cleaned up the oil pump yet to check the geroter setup, but, it doesn't look bad. It looks as though I may be able to replace the tensioners and put it all back together.
The worst case is I need replace the cam plate and oil pump along with the tensioners. I should know by tomorrow when I clean everything up and check it out.
Neil
RDMC
Neonhomer, At what rpm does it make excessive noise? idle, mid range
full throttle? All of the above? Does it come and go or consistent? Does the dealer not want to tear into it because they don't think the noise is out of spec? or because they are trying to stay away from a extended warranty issue?
Thanks , Keith
full throttle? All of the above? Does it come and go or consistent? Does the dealer not want to tear into it because they don't think the noise is out of spec? or because they are trying to stay away from a extended warranty issue?
Thanks , Keith
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
The peices of the tensioner breaking up get ingested by the oil pump. This causes damage to the oil pump, OR, the peices get stuck in the bypass and cause oil pump pressure issues.
After just pulling the cam plate from my bike I am not sure the pump is damaged. It does have some scouring on the cam plate that is used as the outside of the pump. I don't think the scouring is enough to need replacement. I have not cleaned up the oil pump yet to check the geroter setup, but, it doesn't look bad. It looks as though I may be able to replace the tensioners and put it all back together.
The worst case is I need replace the cam plate and oil pump along with the tensioners. I should know by tomorrow when I clean everything up and check it out.
Neil
RDMC
After just pulling the cam plate from my bike I am not sure the pump is damaged. It does have some scouring on the cam plate that is used as the outside of the pump. I don't think the scouring is enough to need replacement. I have not cleaned up the oil pump yet to check the geroter setup, but, it doesn't look bad. It looks as though I may be able to replace the tensioners and put it all back together.
The worst case is I need replace the cam plate and oil pump along with the tensioners. I should know by tomorrow when I clean everything up and check it out.
Neil
RDMC
This may be an overkill but I would upgrade to hydraulic tensioners and high volume oil pump while you have it apart. Especially if you start doing any traveling or plan to keep for a while. I might just have bad luck but I said the same thing you are saying.
40,000 Chain tensioners.
60,000 Cam bearings, oil pump and chain tensioners. This was done while traveling, very expensive.
68,000 Cam bearings going out again while 1600 miles from home. I traded for an 08.
This was on an 02 Ultra also. My bad luck, bad decision cost me alot of money. Just something to think about.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Bike has 30,000 miles on it chain tensioners are sure to have wear.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From:
Just had my tensioners checked and replaced this past week. I had a set of 204 cams put in. The bike is a 2003 FLHT with 32,000 miles. The front tensioner was in great shape, but the back tesnioner was bad. The tech checked everything else out(oil pump, etc...) and said it was okay. Really like the 204s in the bike. Can't wait to do the rest of the 95 build.