07-09-13, 09:47 AM
I phoned Yamaha Technical Dept yesterday and asked them about camchain tensioners. They didn't really enlighten me on anything and what the technician had to say doesn't really further this thread. But here is a summary of their views on CCT failure.
The technician said that they do keep data on engine components that give problems, but failure of the CCT on the Fazer engine is so rare they don't have any record of such, he was aware that such things happen and you should consider your self very unlucky if it does happen, but it's not something to worry about he said. Apparently, in France some years ago there was a number of tensioners being replaced by dealers as a matter of course at 30,000 miles but it wasn't a directive by Yamaha. This rash of replacing the CCT might have been a result of rumour on forums he said and that it's always best to have engine problems discussed and investigated by a Yamaha mechanic.
I told him that my own engine at 57,000 miles sounds mechanically noisier than it did say 10,000 miles ago and he said that it could be a number of things but with regards to the camchain and tensioner it might be that the chain is worn rather than the tensioner not working.
I said that I basically can't be arsed to take the engine down to have a look at the chain so would it be worth replacing the tensioner? He replied that in my case 'it wouldn't hurt' and that if the chain quietened down then all well and good, 'but I'm not saying that your tensioner is probably worn out'. So, non commital to admitting any endemic problems with the CCT.
He went on to say that 57,000 miles is considered a high mileage for a motorcycle engine and that if you took such a motor apart for some reason then you should certainly replace the camchain on reassembly, not because it's totally worn out, but because it's probably more than halfway to significant wear.
As for manual tensioners, he said he wouldn't comment and couldn't reccomend a part that isn't a Yamaha item.
In conclusion, I got the impression that Yamaha certainly don't think their tensioners should be singled out as prone to fault. But, probably the most significant part of the conversation was that a noisy camchain might well be a worn chain rather than a faulty tensioner, I guess if the chain is beyond wear limits then perhaps it gets to a point where it is asking too much of the tensioner to keep it tensioned. It's possible that a manual tensioner could be used to unwittingly tension a knackered camchain so perhaps caution is required in using one and in an ideal world you should measure the wear on the chain before using one.
Anyway, I bought a standard tensioner for £95 and I'll fit it and and forget about it.
The technician said that they do keep data on engine components that give problems, but failure of the CCT on the Fazer engine is so rare they don't have any record of such, he was aware that such things happen and you should consider your self very unlucky if it does happen, but it's not something to worry about he said. Apparently, in France some years ago there was a number of tensioners being replaced by dealers as a matter of course at 30,000 miles but it wasn't a directive by Yamaha. This rash of replacing the CCT might have been a result of rumour on forums he said and that it's always best to have engine problems discussed and investigated by a Yamaha mechanic.
I told him that my own engine at 57,000 miles sounds mechanically noisier than it did say 10,000 miles ago and he said that it could be a number of things but with regards to the camchain and tensioner it might be that the chain is worn rather than the tensioner not working.
I said that I basically can't be arsed to take the engine down to have a look at the chain so would it be worth replacing the tensioner? He replied that in my case 'it wouldn't hurt' and that if the chain quietened down then all well and good, 'but I'm not saying that your tensioner is probably worn out'. So, non commital to admitting any endemic problems with the CCT.
He went on to say that 57,000 miles is considered a high mileage for a motorcycle engine and that if you took such a motor apart for some reason then you should certainly replace the camchain on reassembly, not because it's totally worn out, but because it's probably more than halfway to significant wear.
As for manual tensioners, he said he wouldn't comment and couldn't reccomend a part that isn't a Yamaha item.
In conclusion, I got the impression that Yamaha certainly don't think their tensioners should be singled out as prone to fault. But, probably the most significant part of the conversation was that a noisy camchain might well be a worn chain rather than a faulty tensioner, I guess if the chain is beyond wear limits then perhaps it gets to a point where it is asking too much of the tensioner to keep it tensioned. It's possible that a manual tensioner could be used to unwittingly tension a knackered camchain so perhaps caution is required in using one and in an ideal world you should measure the wear on the chain before using one.
Anyway, I bought a standard tensioner for £95 and I'll fit it and and forget about it.