Cam Chain Tensioner?
April 19, 2008 at 10:25 pm | Bike, Trip | No comment
Far too many posts have been named after bits of my bike lately.
So I’ve removed my left hand engine cover (which I might add is a complete BITCH due to the oil return cable being A) positioned precisely in the way and B) inflexible) to repair the water pump, and I notice that the plastic guide for the internal chain (thought it was a drive chain at the time) is a bit chewed up, but thought nothing much of it at the time.
I took the waterpump bits into the house to clean up and replace and although the impeller-shaft is a bit scarred, I doubt that it’s that causing the squealing.
However since having a look on the internet, that chain turns out to be the timing chain (or cam chain) and having chewed up guides is symptomatic of either a very slack chain (virtually unheard of) or a failed chain tensioner.
Which… I can only assume is a pretty major job, as from my (admittedly limited) experience with timing chains/belts is that anything associated with them is usually a complete pita.
I’ve posted on The Chaingang and am awaiting their expert assessment of the situation.
Hopefully it’s something I can do myself, and hopefully it’s the cause of the squealing and not yet another problem with the bike.
Either way though, it doesn’t look likely that I’m going to be able to keep my ferry booking which is a week tomorrow.
Taking up my dad on his offer to get the bike overhauled is very tempting right now…