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Cam Chain Slop

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Ace_Frehley, Nov 8, 2007.

  1. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    How Much is Too Much?? I can lift my chain about 2mm off of the guide between the cam gears, and I can push it from side to side about 1mm off center. Is this too much or am I fine??
     
  2. BlueMaxim

    BlueMaxim Active Member

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    That's about normal.
     
  3. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I don't think you should ne able to lift the Chain off the top of the Connecting Guide too far at all. I think you have a notch to gain if you reset the Cam Chain.

    The Chain out to be tight as a Guitar String across the top Bridge Guide.

    Try re-setting the tension, Manually, while someone Taps on the backside of the Tensioner with the bottom of a hammer handle.
     
  4. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    I've set the tensioner a few times, its a manual tensioner, so I've been rotating the engine counter clockwise, to the 'C' mark, loosen the lock nut, then loosen the bolt and tighten it all back down.

    Is this the proper way, Or is there a better way???
     
  5. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Rotate ... 2 Full turns ... backward.
    Loosen locker bolt.
    Push out slack.
    Tighten everything up.

    I'd be looking for a good used Auto Tensioner.

    I worry about a guy who had the Lock Bolt missing from his XJ ... posted a query about what to do and was never heard from again.
     
  6. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    I just want to clarify this rick, The engine turns over counter clockwise when it is running, so when you say 'backwards' you mean clockwise? I was under the impression that that was never to be done! Of course I could be completely wrong and you know way more than me.
     
  7. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    You must turn-over the engine backward to present the slack before the tensioner.

    You want the slack to be 'round the backside and between the Crank Sprocket and Intake Cam Sprocket.

    You can only do that by Jacking the engine over backwards. If you do it with a firm and steady hand ... the slack will present itself before the tensioner and allow you to move the Manual Tensioner IN to take it up.
     
  8. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    thanks Rick!
     
  9. Hired_Goon

    Hired_Goon Member

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    Sorry, but that is not how I understand it. The tensioner is on the trailing side to take the slack out after it passes under the crankshaft and back to the first cam sprocket.

    The tight part of the chain is between the cam sprocket and the crankshaft on the opposite side to the tensioner. Remember that the camshaft is being pulled by the crank, so that is the side that must be tightest.

    Rotating backwards would make the slack go tight on the tensioner side and the tensioner would compress leaving slack at the front of the chain.

    Unless of course you were rotating it backwards at the camshaft instead of the crankshaft.

    To Tension the cam chain you should only rotate in the direction the motor normally turns!
     
  10. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    Now I'm Confused, I was under the same impression as you Hired Goon! and The Service Manual says CounterClockwise (with the engine rotation) so I don't know what to do now :S
     
  11. Danilo

    Danilo Member

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    Study the problem Carefully (I'm with Goon on this one) Once bent all (most actually) of the Intake Valves on my Alf Romeo simply by adjusting the Chain tension as per the instructions in the (obviously poorly translated) shop manual. I rotated the crank, by hand in,reverse rotation . A very time consuming and V expensive to fix Mistake.. Kinda lesson one Never forgets.
     
  12. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I defer to the Shop Manual.
    I respectfully request those members not familiar with the method for removing Cam Chain Slack to consult the Reference Material.

    Haynes 738 1994 Pg. 30 Item #-10 "Cam Chain Adjustment"
    Excerpted:
    "Turn the Crankshaft Anti-Clockwise to the 'C' Mark" (Paraphrased)
    "Loosen the Locking Bolt"
    "Chain will be tensioned as Plunger finds own level"
     
  13. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    From the XJ650G/H factory manual (pp 14).

    1. Remove the timing plate cover.

    2. Slowly rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise until the "C" mark on the timing plate aligns with the stationary pointer.

    3. Loosen the tensioner lock nut and then loosen the stopper bolt. This releases the cam chain tensioner with the proper tension.

    4. Tighten the stopper bolt and lock nut.

    _____

    Stopper bolt torque: 0.6 m-kg (4.3 ft-lb)
    Lock nut torque: 0.9 m-kg (6.5 ft-lb)
     
  14. Hired_Goon

    Hired_Goon Member

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    Bingo Rick. What that says is turn the engine FORWARD in the direction that the engine normally runs, but you have stated BACKWARD. To turn the engine backward, would imply going against the normal rotation of the engine, hence in a clockwise direction.

    I know that this is just a difference in terms and interpretation, but it is a very important term that can not be misunderstood.

    I suggest further advice use the exact terms of clockwise/counter clockwise to make the instructions implicit.

    Respectfully. :wink:
     
  15. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    Thanks Guys I'm Glad we got this figured out :)
     
  16. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I was addimg some auto tensioner advise in with the manual. The Automatic needs the engine turned-over backward.

    Sorry for the confusion.
     
  17. PghXJ

    PghXJ Member

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    will an automatic tensioner fit on a bike that has a manual tensioner installed??
     
  18. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    My guess is yes.
    Id like to look at the two side-by-side.

    I think the auto tensioners was a bright improvement and started being added at the factory right in the middle of a production run.

    There are a few 82's with Auto ... and a bunch with Manual.

    I think its a straight "Bolt-On" situation.
     
  19. Jackncoke

    Jackncoke Member

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    My 82 is an automatic.

    As for not turning the engine backwards, might cause harm, dont you have to when you do the valves?

    I did today, hope I didnt mess anything up. I did notice a slight clicking noise from up top that wasnt there before, kind of high pitched and speeds up with engine. I was hoping it was just a valve that was waaayyy too tight and maybe has to work the sound out.
     
  20. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Some noises are GOOD noises.

    Valves slamming shut within specs ... Good noise!
     
  21. PghXJ

    PghXJ Member

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    Reason I ask is I have to take my tensioner off and see what is going on in there. It used to take up the slack well and eliminate the noise, but for some reason when I adjust it now the noise is still there when I get off the throttle. Sounds like the chain is slapping the case. I know it's not hitting the cover because when I adjusted the valves I saw absolutely no indication of contact (no scratches). I was thinking of just replacing it with an automatic one since I have to take it apart to clean it anyway. Perhaps I'll post a classified to see if anyone has one.
     

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