Cam Chain Tensioner

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by dirty big hands, Jun 3, 2022.

  1. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
    Hello boys and girls,

    I 'm sure one of you will be able to answer my question ....
    The 19mm bolt on my Thunderbird sport cam chain tensioner has come loose (see picture).
    I have no idea how these work!
    Does that bolt adjust the cam chain, ie I need to tighten it to a specific point determined by the cam chain?
    Or does it just hold and give access to the spring, therefore I just need to tighten it to a specific torque?

    Thanks in advance!

    s-l400.jpg
     
  2. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,277
    800
    Yorkshire
    Obviously there'll be a torque setting for it but it has no bearing on the chain tension, that is down to the spring and also the oil pressure if it's the hydraulic type. Manually adjustable tensioners, like I have on my dirt bike, don't have a spring but instead have an external adjusting screw and locknut.
    If it has a ratchet mechanism you may have to remove the tensioner altogether, if you haven't already and reset it before fitting back into the engine.
     
  3. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse,he's out of bed again
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,533
    750
    Birmingham
    I think you will find that the adjuster is automatic with a ratchet. I don't know the torque for the bolt., i would just tighten it up by feel, but whatever you do, don't remove the tensioner.
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
  4. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    349
    113
    Downham Market, Norfolk
    I agree. Just tighten the bolt to 23Nm torque.
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
  5. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
    Thank you.
    That confirms what I assumed, that it was just an access to the spring and it just needed tightening. The actual tensioner can't come loose because of the ratchet, tightening the bolt will put pressure back on the spring ready to push the tensioner forward another notch when needed.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  6. nickjaxe

    nickjaxe Active Member

    Sep 2, 2020
    63
    28
    Cheshire UK
    Hi when you say its come loose.....that sounds like the tentioner has come loose in the engine case.....would imagine you would have oil leaking if thats happened.

    Or are you telling us the chain sounds slack....maybe rattling??
     
  7. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
     
  8. nickjaxe

    nickjaxe Active Member

    Sep 2, 2020
    63
    28
    Cheshire UK
    In that case just nip it up....wonder why it come loose.....if you take it out it can open a can or worms.....so just screw it in.

    Looking at the picture its different to mine....is it the smaller screws that are loose or the big nut.
     
  9. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
    The big one!
    I have just tightened it up.
    Must of just slowly vibrated loose, there's no other explanation.
     
  10. stevehotshot

    stevehotshot Member

    Oct 15, 2020
    5
    8
    Chirk
    Must "have".... Sorry, one of my pet hates..
     
  11. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
    No worries...... I must of missed that English lesson, thank you.

    Hopefully everyone understood what I meant.
     
  12. dirty big hands

    dirty big hands Active Member

    Aug 4, 2017
    184
    43
    sussex
    No worries...... I must of missed that English lesson, thank you.

    Hopefully everyone understood what I meant.
     
  13. t552

    t552 Senior Member

    Nov 17, 2014
    416
    113
    Bristol UK
    You can even remove it as the tensioner is on a ratchet. Just tighten to sprcified torque without fear. Not so for rge m6 bolts holding the tensioner to the cyl head.
     
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