Cam Tensioner

[jjohnson24]

Over on the GS side ( ADVRIDER) there is a lot of talk on replacing the left side cam chain tensioner. Is this a need to do or a nice to do? I don't notice it on my '98 RT. What's the pulse on this?

[Ken H.]

Actual failures are quite rare. If it does have a problem it's quite noticeable by the racket it makes. Just more paranoia out there IMHO.

[cgdR]

With engine warmed up and and running at less than 2000 RPM, does your left cylinder emit a knocking sound just like your uncle's Bonneville before he had the rod bearings replaced? No? then a cam chain tensioner is not for you. Besides, the updated LCCT with an internal spring is not being sold anymore, and nobody knows why. There is a newer tensioner body that replaces the standard one, but it doesn't do a thing to reduce chain slap.

 

Specifically, here are the part numbers:

1) Original LCCT body: 11 31 1 341 137

2) Enhanced: 11 31 2 325 563 (kit, about $200, works great, cannot be found anymore)

3) New body: 11 31 7 671 723 (cheap but does not help with noises)

 

Wouldn't you like your BMW more if the company were more forthcoming with technical information?

[Eckhard Grohe]

Yes, I would like it more!

[sgendler]

So does the fact that my bike (a gs) DOES make a horrible knocking sound at low revs mean that I have an imminent problem? I am about to leave on long road trip, but I have no interest in being stranded. It is definitely abnormal and I've been wondering about it for a while. Valve adjustment is fine. It is particularly noticeable sometimes when I slow to a stop at a traffic light. It will make a loud knocking sound for as much as 10-15 seconds before quieting down a bit (but not all the way).

 

Up until now, i've fixed the problem by wearing earplugs. Actually, I have been second guessing myself on whether it is a problem precisely because I ride without earplugs so rarely. I wasn't sure if I was imagining things.

 

If there is a problem, is it a quickie fix, or several days in the shop? How about home repair?

 

--sam

[cgdR]

So does the fact that my bike (a gs) DOES make a horrible knocking sound at low revs mean that I have an imminent problem?

Sam, you would definitely be a candidate for the enhanced LCCT, if you could find one. However, there is no proof that the knocking sound does any damage to the engine. I would have expected to read reports of broken chain guides, but I have not heard of any. In fact, there is a chance that the enhanced tensioner might cause more rail wear from the greater force that it applies to the rail. This is where a bit of information from BMW would make my boxer a lot more satisfying to me. Idem regarding spline lube, FD crown bearings, assisted ABS III, etc.

[sgendler]

Sam, you would definitely be a candidate for the enhanced LCCT, if you could find one. However, there is no proof that the knocking sound does any damage to the engine.

 

That's what I wanted to hear. I was hoping that was the case, but don't have the expertise to make the call by myself. It is going to make selling the bike a bit of a pain in the neck next summer, though.

 

--sam