cam chain tensioner

O.k. so i've done a few search's trying to find an answer to my question, but haven't found anything. First off, I will tell you all that it is a 1981 Maxim 550. Here's the problem, there is no adjusting bolt on my cam tensioner. From what I've read, it is a manual tensioner. So, does anyone know what size nut and bolt I will need to replace this with?

 

I think you need to have a close look at the Tensioner.

If the adjustment bolt is not in the threaded hole where it belongs; there would be an open hole where Oil would leak out.

So, either there's NO threaded hole and you have an Automatic Tensioner ...
or, ...
There's something keeping the Oil from coming out of there.

On a Manual Tensioner there is:
The bolt
A locking Hex Nut
A Flat Washer
O-ring seal.


If you DO have a Manual style tensioner ... there's probably the remains of a broken-off bolt torqued tight against the tensioner rod.

You'll have to pull-off the tensioner and remove the fragment.

I hope that's not the case and somebody put an Automatic one on there.

 

alright, i'll have to take it off and check it out. thanks for the input. The only reason I ask is because my bro used to have the same year and model bike, and I noticed his had the bolt in it.

btw, there is no oil coming out of it.

 

Any chance of posting a picture of the part?

 

here is a pic of what he is talking about..........sorry for not posting sooner I forgot about it......

 

That looks like a MANUAL Tensioner, for sure.

I can't tell in that little picture if there's a broken-off piece in there or not.

I don't see the Bolt Head ... so, I'd guess it's either broken off and there's something keeping from leaking.

Or, there's stuff keeping from leaking and at the same time ... keeping the Rod from moving.

Spooks me in a Big Way ... I'd be pulling that tensioner off there and having a good close look at what's going-on there.

If somebody put any kind of Stop Leak Product or what-not in that fitting ... you have to Overhaul it or scrap it for one you have faith isn't doctored-up to not leak.

My advice: Yank it ... INVESTIGATE!

 

RickCoMatic, if you click on his little picture it will open a new window in a full size picture.

It sure looks like he's missing a locking bolt.

 

bk94:

Don't ride your bike.
Check it out; first.
You may have a problem very easily fixed.
BUT IT'S A BIG PROBLEM ...
And if you don't do something about it ... it could KILL you!

Don't rush to stick a bolt in there. After getting a look at the "Big Picture" we have consider that it HAS Leaked. There's oil stain all around the area.

Then, if that "Nub" inside the hole is the End of the Adjustment Rod ... you NEED to do some immediate preventative maintenance investigation.

Leave the Tensioner alone for just-now.

Take-off the Cam Cover and try to lift-up on the Cam Chain at the center of the "Bridge Chain Guide" between the two Cams.

If you can lift that Cam Chain up off from that Guide ... even a little bit, right now ...

You NEED to:

REPLACE ~~> BOTH ... The Tensioner AND the CAM CHAIN.

If that ROD ... being in that Tensioner ... up that far ... was to come loose and let the Chain go slack ...

The resulting Catastrophic Engine seizure would be IMMEDIATE and Potentially FATAL.

 

I'm alarmed that this Thread ended so abruptly.

Does anyone know this member?
Can we contact him somehow?

I am of the opinion that there is a Genuine Safety Issue that needs to be resolved?

Who's got the 4-1-1 to get to the bottom of this???

 

Years ago, while still a kid, I had one go on me. Luckily I was going in a straight line and the instant locking of the engine ( and therefore the rear wheel) did not cause an accident, just a 20m black strip of rubber. What it DID do was to make me ensure that this vital connection is in good order. That said, I was an astoundingly daft kid and the bike was held together with chewing gum and sellotape.

 

Years ago, while still a kid, I had one go on me. Luckily I was going in a straight line and the instant locking of the engine ( and therefore the rear wheel) did not cause an accident, just a 20m black strip of rubber. What it DID do was to make me ensure that this vital connection is in good order. That said, I was an astoundingly daft kid and the bike was held together with chewing gum and sellotape.