I have a 2004 R1 with about 16000 miles. I recently had it serviced and the repair guy told me that my cam chain seemes to be making more noise than it should. He said though that he never saw one go that early so it might be the tensioner. While reading up on the improvements on the 2006 R1 it says they redesigned the cam chain tensioner, which got me thinking there might be a problem with the old design. Anyone else out there have this problem? it sounds like a loud rattle or if your drive chain was really loose, that would be comparable. Anyway if it is the cam tensioner, wouldn't it be covered my yamaha's extended warranty? its not a standard wear and tear item like a clutch. Any thought??
Cam chain problems
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ive replaced a cam chain and a tensioner before although not on my R1, i had to do it at 30000miles
the original problem showed up as a rattle from the motor esp at certain rev ranges- certainly sounds exactly like your problem
the tensioner was all gunked up so first i had it cleaned up and the problem was a bit better but still there
next i replaced the tensioner and the chain and problem solved
ive also snapped a timing chain before and the entire motor was a write off- the carbs were ok i spose
if your mechanic knows what he is doing he will be able to check the cam chain when he checks the tensioner but imho may as well replace them both while the motor is opened up- basically if the chain has play in it side to side then its stuffed but i would replace it anyway for peace of mind. after 16000miles it wont hurt to replace it
the original problem showed up as a rattle from the motor esp at certain rev ranges- certainly sounds exactly like your problem
the tensioner was all gunked up so first i had it cleaned up and the problem was a bit better but still there
next i replaced the tensioner and the chain and problem solved
ive also snapped a timing chain before and the entire motor was a write off- the carbs were ok i spose
if your mechanic knows what he is doing he will be able to check the cam chain when he checks the tensioner but imho may as well replace them both while the motor is opened up- basically if the chain has play in it side to side then its stuffed but i would replace it anyway for peace of mind. after 16000miles it wont hurt to replace it
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oh when it first shows up, the cam chain rattle can be hard to tell from the rattle caused by your bottom end starting to wear, ie slap in your big ends
the easiest way to separate the two is to dump your oil and refill with 60 weight monograde oil and go for a ride
if the noise is gone then its your bottom end, if its still there its prob your cam chain/tensioner
the easiest way to separate the two is to dump your oil and refill with 60 weight monograde oil and go for a ride
if the noise is gone then its your bottom end, if its still there its prob your cam chain/tensioner
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I had a cam chain tensioner go out on my 04. Took it to the dealer because it sounded like a rattle or if you shook a can of bolts. It would go away after riding but then if you stopped the bike and turned it off for a few minutes and then restarted it, the noise would be back. I guess by driving it, it built the hydraulic pressure back up on the tensioner. Anyway, they replaced it under warranty.
Thanks thats good news i was hoping it would be covered. unfortunatley mine doesn't go away. when your riding it you really cant hear it over the exhaust, but when sitting at a light or standing next to it its pretty loud. sounds like a lose drive train chain. they are trying to tell me it could possibly be an exhaust leak but i find that hard to believe.rgwebster3 said:
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