CAM Chain

martinburke

Can you tighten a CAM chain or must you replace it , ?

Second hand FZS600 02

24000 miles

honeybadger

you can replace the tensioner for a manual one ,ape is the name for them if i rember correctly

martinburke

Must check that out , cheers Badger

Wossack

cam chains are normally automatically tensioned, but eventually do get stretched out so much that they need replacing. If the automatic tensioner aint cutting it anymore, I'd say swapping for a manual one is a bad idea...

yours is quite loose? or noticing an increase in noise around the cam chain area?

martinburke

Just a slight increase in noise man .

Wossack

typically, the auto-tensioner is a non-return ratchet type, and the cam chain has to stretch out a bit before it 'clicks' and winds in that excess tension. It might be that you are close to a new ratchet stop/click, and that once you hit it, the noise will go away itself.

martinburke

Ah , good to know mate . Thanks a lot .

Wossack

I just wouldnt have thought a cam chain replacement at those miles (30-40k miles more likely afaik). Do keep an eye on it though, and might be worthwhile a spin out to a mechanic to get a second set of ears if it gets louder, or doesnt go away

martinburke

Cool !