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Cam Chain Noise?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by redcentre003, May 17, 2009.

  1. redcentre003

    redcentre003 Member

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    When I got my (non-working) 1985 XJ900 about 3 years ago one of the first things I did was to replace the cam chain.

    So, I have been riding all that time without ever having experienced the sound of an XJ900 cam chain starting to make noises - I have a couple of times tried Rick's method of adjusting the "auto" cam chain tensioner.

    I was just wondering if anyone can explain in words what a cam chain sounds like in it's early days of possibly needing to be looked at.

    The cam chain has around 30,000kms (approx. 20,000 miles) on it and I am sure I am starting to hear at low revs a sort of whirring sound coming from the top of the engine. I figure this to be a cam chain in it's early days of being no longer adjustable via the tensioner.

    I know it ain't easy to convey sounds through this site (??!!) but would my assumptions be correct?

    Thanks guys.
     
  2. MacMcMacmac

    MacMcMacmac Member

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    I don't think you are anywhere near the point where the camchain needs replacement. I took one out of my old 82 Turbo at 85,000km and it was exactly the same length as the new one I bought. My bike had a buzzing sound between 3000 and 7-8000 rpm, The chain was striking the cam cover due to the broken front camchain guide which has snapped off about 1 inch from the top and was fretting around inside the tunnel. Resetting the camchain involves a simple procedure whereby you rotate the engine backwards using a wrench on the timing side of the crankshaft to induce slack in the chain that the tensioner *should* then take up. Ric can explain better.
     

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