What to do if your Harley cam chain tensioner fails?

This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. In this video, Bob walks us through a Harley cam chain tensioner inspection, it can be a Road King plastic tensioner replacement that needs to be done or any models in the affected year range of the Twin Cam 88.

Are there any problems with the cam tensioners?

With all the talk about the problems with the cam tensioners, specifically, the excessive wear of the shoes, whereas the bits of plastic pass through the oil pump, possibly causing problems with the pump, I wondered if this has yet been addressed by HD. So, what years? 99-05, 99-04, not yet addressed?

Why did my cam chain tensioner fail on my Electra Glide?

It was the cam chain tensioners! Broken up at 28k miles on my Electra Glide. The manual is woefully negligent on this subject. I would advise ’06 & earlier check at 25k. Newer hydraulic aren’t much better in material used for the “shoe” but can leave inspect up to 45k miles. As an aside, the particles clog the support plate.

When did cam tensioner bearings start to change?

The years 1999 through 2005 and some 2006 with the original tensioner designs are all functionally the same. While there have been minor changes with regard to the camplate and the bearings, there aren’t really any substantive differences in those years.

Are there any problems with cam chain tensioners?

Did not see anything other than praises for the redesign and lot’s of threads on 2006 and prior issues with th spring loaded tensioners, and inconstant shoe wear on the older versions. So, let me ask, has anyone had issues or seen problems for the 2007 and later years?

What to do about a cam tensioner on a Harley?

This is a modal window. Bob walks us through a Harley cam chain tensioner inspection, a common issue on the Twin Cam 88. He removes the exhaust, floor boards and everything in the way of the cam cover. At the cam cover, he reminds us to remove bolts in a star or cross pattern to ease pressure evenly.

How much does it cost to replace a cam tensioner?

The dealer sells a kit to do the replacement which includes the plate, new style oil pump, and hydrulic tensioners. Rather than remove the heads to get the push rods out they suggest adjustable push rods. Total cost estimated at $1400 out the door of the dealer. (includes labor) Click to expand…

What causes a chain tensioner on a Harley Davidson to fail?

The plastic spring loaded cam chain follower fails & it shreds plastic material that fouls the rotary gear oil pump cutting off oil flow to the engine. The problem is that many are experiencing failures at many different mileages, so it is hard to predict. Additionally, riders likely will not hear anything going wrong.

Is the new hydraulic cam chain tensioner truely outlast the old style?

Cheers. Does the new hydraulic cam chain tensioner truely significantly outlast the old style? Cheers. Click to expand… Sheeshh…hard to say for sure, but I just checked my obsolete tensioners at 22K miles and didn’t look used at all. Beautiful rkc! Longevity of hydraulic cam chain tensioner?

Is the V-twin hydraulic cam chain tensioner silent?

It’s #288902 and supplies all the same stuff as the HD system but uses roller chains for the inner and outer drives. Sales personell says that they are goin like hot cakes! Still have to buy a the cams but at least its not using the silent chain style in the inboard site. Don’t know what HD is thinking but I’ve had it with their system.

What kind of cam chain tensioner does a Twin Cam 88 use?

This kit updates the cam chain tensioner of your Twin Cam 88 ® engine to the latest design, as featured on the Twin Cam 96 ™ engine. The billet cam support plate has been designed to allow the installation of the Twin Cam 96 ™ hydraulic cam chain tensioner to Twin Cam 88 ® -equipped models.

Are there any problems with the Harley Davidson cam chain tensioners?

Harley, of course, made a fairly expensive upgrade including a new oil pump and hydraulic cam chain tensioners run by the engine oil and re-designed shoes. They also went to a new style chain. The new design is very reliable and as of like 2009 I haven’t heard of any problems with them.

How do you install a twin cam tensioner?

Follow the steps below for installation. First you need to take off the front exhaust, to get at the cam box. Stuff an oily rag in the exhaust port. Next fit a polythene between the lower half of the cam box and the lower frame rails, and shape it to form a trough that will direct oil to your drain can.

What kind of tensioner does a Harley Davidson use?

In order to run the valve train Harley went to a cam chain tensioner set up utilizing a spring loaded shoe putting pressure on the cam chain with push rods. They also used, and I can’ remember the technical name of the chain, an older chain design.

What happens when your timing chain goes bad?

Over time, the timing chain will stretch due to wear. Correct valve timing will degrade. This will be noted by an increase in fuel consumption, reduced power at low engine speeds and an increase in roughness. The stretched chain also may become noisy, producing a rattling or clattering sound.

What did I do to my chain tensioners?

This past weekend I installed the new Screaming Eagle cam support plate, changed out the cam bearings (inner & outer), installed the new high volume oil pump and new style chain tensioners. I decided to go with the stock rods, and took them out through the top end. All related gaskets and o-rings were replaced in the process.

Do you consider 36, 000 miles a lot for this cam chain tensioner system?

Do you consider 36,000 miles a lot for this chain tensioner system? 36,000 is not a lot of miles for hydraulic cam chain tensioners. You should not be concerned about inspecting them until somewhere between 80 and 100k. If you ever have your exhaust off before then, pull your cam cover and get a look at them. Just for piece of mind.

What happens to cam chain when timing chain wears?

The remaining problem, which applies regardless of whether the engine is stock or modified when the timing chain has worn, is that the cam chain tensioner will have quite a job trying to take slack out of the valvetrain. When a timing chain elongates it may not do so in a uniform way and parts of the chain may be tighter or looser than others.

How much does it cost to replace twin cam chain tensioner?

The inspection and replacement of the inner shoe is expensive and involves removing the oil pump and cam, the outer one shoe is easier but you have to check both of them. Our dealership wanted $400 just to inspect the shoes, which they wouldn’t do because they said if they get that far into it they might as well just replace them.

Is the Softail Night Train a cam chain tensioner bike?

One of my sons has my last bike, an ’04 Softail Night Train, now, but he lives in California, so I do the maintenance on all of the other bikes, thanks to the confidence gained from your videos, and having all of the Harley repair manuals for each of these bikes. See the Full Video Class on this type of project: Cam Chain Tensioner Class

How many miles on cam chain tensioner shoes?

I’ve got 36,000 miles on my 2008 Electra Glide and I don’t have a good place to set up the bike to check the shoes as you describe in your video. Do you consider 36,000 miles a lot for this chain tensioner system? 36,000 is not a lot of miles for hydraulic cam chain tensioners.

How do you replace a twin cam tensioner?

Once you have rotated the shoe anti-clockwise, the hole in the tensioner will align with the hole in the cam plate under the “H.” Push one of the pair of retaining pins in the kit through the tensioner and into the hole in the cam plate. Now you can inspect the shoe which needs to be replaced if more than half the thickness is gone.

Where is the tensioner on a cam plate?

The tensioner sits behind the cam plate and its axle is shown under the yellow ring. The red ring shows the hole where the retaining pin fits. Using the mirror, you can locate the two hooks on the tensioner.

What kind of tensioner does a cam chest bike use?

The more run out the less consistency on the you cam chain tensioners tension (more pad wear) 06- Current – These bikes have the best all around stock tensioners, hydraulic oil fed with delrin style pads.

Can a cam chain tensioner be replaced on a road King?

Just curious for the NEXT time I replace the cam chain tensioner on my 05 Road King Classic. Cheers. Does the new hydraulic cam chain tensioner truely significantly outlast the old style?

When did I change the rear cam chain tensioner on my 07 Fatboy?

Had my cams changed on my 07 Fatboy at about 14000 kms (around 9000 miles I suppose) and found the rear cam chain tensioner had a hole punched straight through it. No explanation for it, put in some 08 chains and tensioners and will be checking them at regular intervals. Click to expand… Yes, I remember a thread about this from down in Oz.

When did cam chain tensioners change for 2007?

The tensioner design was changed for 2007 and newer and I am wondering what the service life of the new tensioners may turn out to be if the bike is properly maintained. I have 33,000 miles on my 07 Road King.

What are the tensioners on a 2007 V-twin?

Has anyone out there had the opportunity to inspect their cam chain tensioners on a 2007 and newer bike due to a cam change? If so, what was the mileage at the cam change and what kind of shape were the tensioners in?

What kind of spring do I need for cam chain tensioner?

However, the addition of the Baisley LMR-002 spring will help idle and low rpm pressure; cheap and doesn’t hurt anything. Main thing to watch out for with the oil pump is the scavenge port o-ring and alignment. Dolt has you pretty well covered here.

How much does it cost to replace a cam chain tensioner?

Same procedure for the cam install; freeze the cams with bearings installed, heat the plate, make sure the timing dots are aligned and drop the cams into the plate; a piece of cake. Or, take the plate with cams and the new tensioner assembly to a local dealer or indy and pop for $20-$25 for them to install the new inner tensioner.

How much does a twin cam tensioner cost?

I have a fresh perspective of the early twin-cam cam chain tensioners. I had a 2000 FXD for a decade and put almost 80K on it. (Like you, I bought it used, with 6k on the clock) I too have heard the horror stories associated.

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