Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: basilbug on November 27, 2018, 12:59:51 PM

Title: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on November 27, 2018, 12:59:51 PM
I have a Suzuki DRZ 400 and have a manual cam chain tensioner. The engine was making a lot of noise similar to valve noise. I made a small adjustment and the noise is gone.

Is there any way to install a manual cam chain tensioner on the Drifter 1500?
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: Pilgrim on November 27, 2018, 19:53:05 PM
No need to because it is self adjusting.
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: Bucko on November 29, 2018, 00:13:21 AM
They may very well need 'extenders' though.
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on November 30, 2018, 09:13:13 AM
Quote from: Pilgrim on November 27, 2018, 19:53:05 PM
No need to because it is self adjusting.

True and not true. I have done the research and they do self adjust but only to a point. They need to be longer............That is where most of the noise is coming from...

They are extended all the way out and the chain is still loose...
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on November 30, 2018, 09:16:14 AM
Quote from: Bucko on November 29, 2018, 00:13:21 AM
They may very well need 'extenders' though.

Totally agree......Has anyone ever done this?  Manuel cam chain tensioner?
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: Pilgrim on November 30, 2018, 11:27:57 AM
Quote from: basilbug on November 30, 2018, 09:13:13 AM
True and not true. I have done the research and they do self adjust but only to a point. They need to be longer............That is where most of the noise is coming from...

They are extended all the way out and the chain is still loose...

True...after so many miles, I'm thinking 50k+ (Troll can verify) the timing chain stretches and reaches a point where it will no longer be tight and start slapping the spark plug tunnels. You can remove the tunnels and check them for damage. Chuckster's Customs sells the extenders and there is info on how to remove/inspect the tunnels and install the extenders in the mods section.
https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/camtensionext.html

I have not had to do this yet, so have no experience in doing the actual work.
I did pull my tunnels one time and inspected them for damage. Found none.
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on November 30, 2018, 16:45:11 PM
Quote from: Pilgrim on November 30, 2018, 11:27:57 AM
True...after so many miles, I'm thinking 50k+ (Troll can verify) the timing chain stretches and reaches a point where it will no longer be tight and start slapping the spark plug tunnels. You can remove the tunnels and check them for damage. Chuckster's Customs sells the extenders and there is info on how to remove/inspect the tunnels and install the extenders in the mods section.
https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/camtensionext.html

I have not had to do this yet, so have no experience in doing the actual work.
I did pull my tunnels one time and inspected them for damage. Found none.

I have always read complaints about the Vulcan 1500 engine being noisy. I would think that the 50k miles would be off a bit. I have very low miles and seems like the noise coming from the tensioner not being pushed in enough. Like I said on my DZR, when I adjusted the manuel cam chain tensioner the noise went away. Just wandering of anyone has made them longer to see if it will get rid of the noise...
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: Bucko on December 01, 2018, 13:44:17 PM
The 1500 motor makes all manner of embarrassing engine noises.  I installed the extenders a long time ago - I think it was at about 30k Kilometres - in the hopes that it would make the engine quieter.  In my case it didn't.  I never checked to see if the chains were wearing on the spark plug tubes but I suspect they weren't.
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: Pilgrim on December 01, 2018, 14:14:55 PM
I know, even my gas tank was making a noise that sounded like it was my engine. Sounded like a valve tapping. I could reach down and pull up on the tank and it would stop. I put baby powder on the rubber grommets and cushions and torqued the tank bolts to the proper specs and it stopped.
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on December 03, 2018, 08:43:15 AM
Quote from: Bucko on December 01, 2018, 13:44:17 PM
The 1500 motor makes all manner of embarrassing engine noises.  I installed the extenders a long time ago - I think it was at about 30k Kilometres - in the hopes that it would make the engine quieter.  In my case it didn't.  I never checked to see if the chains weren't wearing on the spark plug tubes but I suspect they weren't.
That's what I was wondering. The noise seems to be coming from the area where the cam tensioner is located. Two places actually.
Sucks that did not help with the noise....
Title: Re: Engine noise, anyone ever worked on or replaced the cam chain tensioner?
Post by: basilbug on December 03, 2018, 08:44:13 AM
Quote from: Pilgrim on December 01, 2018, 14:14:55 PM
I know, even my gas tank was making a noise that sounded like it was my engine. Sounded like a valve tapping. I could reach down and pull up on the tank and it would stop. I put baby powder on the rubber grommets and cushions and torqued the tank bolts to the proper specs and it stopped.
My noise is for sure coming from the engine...