tough cam chain tensioners : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

woodwalkertc88 · 06-16-2005, 08:47 PM

last night a 2000 road king ( i know the owner ) that has 91k miles brought for chain whirring noise, front cam tensioner fell out in pieces as soon as cover was cracked open , the back one was not far behind it , this guy was determined to clock 100k with no repairs , support plate oil passages were clear , bearings intact and oil pump was good ,it was shut down asap,, one questionable lifter which also left a tiny score on cam lobe , mobil 1 v twin since 18k miles
he rides conservativly and can squeak 10k or 12k out of a back tire
this is not a friend of a friend, i know the bike and saw it with my own eyes

Bluescb · 06-17-2005, 07:47 AM

Interesting info! Thats a LOT of miles for cam chain tensioners. MoCo says they should last the life of the bike. I've heard them givin' it up as low as 12K miles! I just turned 19K on my '04 and will look in the cam chest this weekend. If they die on the road, you are SOL.

csoday · 06-17-2005, 09:55 AM

I figure on changing mine at 80,000 anyway.

xxxflhrci · 06-17-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluescb

MoCo says they should last the life of the bike.

First time I've heard that.....My service manual has pics showing acceptable wear and unacceptable wear on 'em regarding their replacement.

ratt · 06-17-2005, 03:02 PM

replaced mine at 44,500...... they were shot but still functioning. I think 30k would be a reasonable mileage to get in and take a look ,,,and no doubt replace them . rat

springer- · 06-17-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluescb

MoCo says they should last the life of the bike.

I don't believe that is correct. The manual says they should be checked and replaced at 50% wear, if I am not mistaken. I would check and replace them at roughly every 30,000-40,000 miles. I think lifters average about the same milage but they can be checked and if no signs of wear, keep on truckin !!

Flyer · 06-17-2005, 03:41 PM

They should be checked YEARLY, no matter what the mileage.

wyodude · 06-17-2005, 04:58 PM

I had mine replaced when I did stage II @ 30K miles. Had them checked this last winter, still look new 22K miles later. Thanks Red Line!

Teufelhunden · 06-17-2005, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluescb

MoCo says they should last the life of the bike.

That works when most of the people that have been buying the bikes in recent years ride less than 2500 miles per year.

Teu

Bluescb · 06-18-2005, 08:45 AM

Gotta watch the info you get in the web! I read they changed the material on the tensioners in 03 and they were now expected to last 80K-100K under normal use. .. whatever that is

Its funny..I was looking in the SM and Nowhere do they list HOW or WHEN to check the Tensioners as routine maint...only on bottom end overhaul. With such a MAJOR part failure possibility at extremely varying mileage, why dont they explain how to do ROUTINE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER CHECKING? Or am I mssing it in the manual?