Cam Chain Tensioner?

[Milky]

My bike has an ever so faint rattle coming from either the down pipes or around that area.. I'm gonna check the timing chain and tensioner just to be on the safe side.. seeing as Donny is next month and by the looks of things could be riding ther (by myself if jack doesn't sort his f!ckin bike out! ). So best to check it just incase before I go and rag the arse off it.

Never done it before.. don't really know what I'm looking for. Anything to make sure I do/do not do etc. Just want to make sure I don't take the cover off and oil will pour out all over the drive or anythin like that!

How tight should the chain be?

Will I be able to tell if the tensioner blade is worn?

Will the chain be split link or continuos?

If it's not the timing chain.. is there any baffling in the down pipes at all which could have come loose and be ratting or is there only baffling towards the end can?

Many Thanks, Tom.

[Varcon]

Umm, dont forget im doing donny too....

[Milky]

Umm, dont forget im doing donny too....

i no i no

[Varcon]

Umm, dont forget im doing donny too....

i no i no

We need to sort out a van sometime soon or something, ill give my dad a phone later about it!

Also, if you want me to take a listen to the engine i can - whats the milage on it?

[sadbiker]

My bike has an ever so faint rattle coming from either the down pipes or around that area.. I'm gonna check the timing chain and tensioner just to be on the safe side.. seeing as Donny is next month and by the looks of things could be riding ther (by myself if jack doesn't sort his f!ckin bike out! ). So best to check it just incase before I go and rag the arse off it.

Never done it before.. don't really know what I'm looking for. Anything to make sure I do/do not do etc. Just want to make sure I don't take the cover off and oil will pour out all over the drive or anythin like that!

How tight should the chain be?

Will I be able to tell if the tensioner blade is worn?

Will the chain be split link or continuos?

If it's not the timing chain.. is there any baffling in the down pipes at all which could have come loose and be ratting or is there only baffling towards the end can?

Many Thanks, Tom.

Cam chains will be endless if OE. G1 original had a updated tensioner to the F series. It was so good Kawasaki had to revert back to same style as F series. Check to see if original. Sorry only wasy will be to pull it out. Site on back of engine on right hand side. 2 bolts and it pulls out. The bad design would allow the cam chain to become a little noisy. Haven't heard about any failures or problems other than noise. I had to replace one on mine when I was part X'ing it , the dealer reckoned the engine was noisy offered me £100 less or do it my self, sure the replacement was only £30 and did it myself. Speak to a kawasaki dealer for help on the differences.

[delvey91]

Tom You really need a workshop Manual for your bike!!!!!

Oh wait, i have a PDF haynes manual for the 96-02 zx6r' on my computer right now!!!!!

[jam]

Before you remove the two M6 bolts that secure the camchain tensioner to the engine, first loosen the centre bolt over the tensioner spring half a turn or so, or otherwise when you remove the tensioner you'll need to try and hold it in a vice whilst you undo it. Once the tensioner is off, remove the centre bolt and withdraw the spring and pin inside the spring. Check the condition of the rartchet mechanism, if everything is all ok, then push the tensioner all the way back and fit it to the engine then install the spring and pin with either a new copper sealing washer or reanneal the old one. When the tensioner goes back in the arrow should face upwards if there is no arrow then make sure the ratchet pawl is uppermost. Once the spring and pin are in and the centre bolt is fitted and tightened then the tensioner will automatically take up the correct amount of slack in the camchain, if it doesn't then the spring may need replacing.
It is possible to buy a manual camchain tensioner to replace the original Kawasaki item, cost is around the £45 mark, They never fail like the original can sometimes do or back off. But you need to know what you are doing when you use them, if you are not experienced enough then get someone who is, the last thing you want is an overtightened camchain or indeed an overloose one.
If the motor is running fine and not buzzing like mad then there is probably nothing wrong with your existing camchain tensioner.

[tutton]

You sure its the chain before you go taking the covers off, as if your exhausts are blowing at the downpipes they will make a tappy clicking kind of noise?

[webster]

you sure it's just not the valves? they make a faint tapping noise, when that stops it's time to have your clearances done

[simon]

you sure it's just not the valves? they make a faint tapping noise, when that stops it's time to have your clearances done

Exactly what I was thinking.
A little bit of top end rattle is nothing to worry about, and is even desireable.
As the previous poster said, it's when that stops that you should be worried.

[kwaka1980]

Hey guys. Ive got a 636 a1p, had the same noises you are talking about, so I had the valve clearances done, along with carbs balanced,still same annoying noise, so Ive just bought an oe cct which I'm putting on myself. It does need a new clutch release bearing too, which is minimal but still annoying to me. Hope this all works out to solve the damn noise coz its really bugging me.