Head Cover Scoring

[notto06]

I was investigating a noise that i am having from my engine. I had previously described it as BB's in a tin can. After pulling the head cover off, i noticed some scoring on the inside of it. Looks as if the cam chain is too loose and has made its way to the head cover. I am pretty sure that the chain tensioner is set properly, but i am having a friend look further into this soon once we both have some free time.

Are there any other things i should look for on this? Has anyone else ever had this issue? The bike seems to be damn solid other than the horrible noise that this thing makes!

Thanks in advance guys!

Otto

[tom203]

I was investigating a noise that i am having from my engine. I had previously described it as BB's in a tin can. After pulling the head cover off, i noticed some scoring on the inside of it. Looks as if the cam chain is too loose and has made its way to the head cover. I am pretty sure that the chain tensioner is set properly, but i am having a friend look further into this soon once we both have some free time.

Are there any other things i should look for on this? Has anyone else ever had this issue? The bike seems to be damn solid other than the horrible noise that this thing makes!

Thanks in advance guys!

Otto

Look down in this same forum for.... "stupid PO....." pertinent to your problem.
Don't be "pretty sure", be absolutely positive!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Is this on your 850? If you put your bike year/model in your signature file then everyone will know what we're talking about.

Do you still have the stock (automatic) tensioner? Or is it an aftermarket manual (APE) tensioner?

Here's some info that I have collected...

Cam Chain Tensioner Repair
Reset Cam Chain Tensioner

And here is a link to Mr. bwringer's "how to"...

Replace seals in cam chain tensioner



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[JEEPRUSTY]

I was investigating a noise that i am having from my engine. I had previously described it as BB's in a tin can. After pulling the head cover off, i noticed some scoring on the inside of it. Looks as if the cam chain is too loose and has made its way to the head cover. I am pretty sure that the chain tensioner is set properly, but i am having a friend look further into this soon once we both have some free time.

Are there any other things i should look for on this? Has anyone else ever had this issue? The bike seems to be damn solid other than the horrible noise that this thing makes!

Thanks in advance guys!

Otto

Get the manual and do the check for chain stretch.
It should be on Cliff's site.

[gearheadE30]

Yeah, if you look down at my "stupid PO no tensioner" thread, I had the same thing, complete with the scoring to the inside of the valve cover. Loosen the locknut on the setscrew on the left side of the tensioner and make sure that the set screw is NOT tight. You want it about a half turn out. Then tighten the locknut again. If that's not it, check the chain for stretch and possibly rebuild the tenioner, as they can get grit in them and bind up. It's not a tough job at all.

[notto06]

Yes, this is on the 82 850GL. As of right now, it is the stock automatic tensioner. I have not seen any documentation stating that the ape tensioner will fit on the 82 850. Does anyone know if that will work. I will be reinstalling the automatic tensioner in a few weeks. I am traveling for work for a little while, so it will be a bit before i can get back to working on the bike.

Thanks for the help guys.

[tkent02]

Most people without proper service manuals leave the screw tight and the locknut set.
This prevents the tensioner from working.

[notto06]

I have the top end cover removed now, exposing the chain. How to i measure the chain to make sure it is still within spec?

Thanks,

Otto

[tkent02]

Just check the chain as specified in the free Suzuki Service manual.

[notto06]

I just didnt look far enough into the manual. I am within spec on the chain. So it must be a tensioner issue. I will proceed to take the tensioner apart and rebuild it, and set it back in the engine. Does anyone know of a manual tensioner for the 850? I have been looking online and can not find out that is called out to fit.

Thanks,

Otto

[tkent02]

I just didnt look far enough into the manual. I am within spec on the chain. So it must be a tensioner issue. I will proceed to take the tensioner apart and rebuild it, and set it back in the engine. Does anyone know of a manual tensioner for the 850? I have been looking online and can not find out that is called out to fit.

Thanks,

Otto

Did you release the setscrew?

[notto06]

I am not 100% sure if i had it released before or not. I have the carbs off of the bike and a friend is rebuilding them, so i wont be able to start the bike for a little while to see if rebuilding the tensioner will fix it.

[tkent02]

I am not 100% sure if i had it released before or not. I have the carbs off of the bike and a friend is rebuilding them, so i wont be able to start the bike for a little while to see if rebuilding the tensioner will fix it.

Again, it cannot work if the setscrew is set. It must be released for the mechanism inside to move.

[notto06]

Ok. So i have the tensioner in hand, going through bwringers little walk through.

Step 12 : "Turn the adjuster shaft clockwise so that it's all the way in."

I am doing this with the knurled knob and spring off. When i turn the shaft clockwise, it just keeps spinning and spinning and spinning. After playing with it a little, i noticed that if i pull out on the shaft lighty while turning it clockwise, it gets to the bottom, then just releases straight out. NOT NORMAL?!?! From his tutorial, it sounds like it should stop when i turn it to the right?

Someone please tell me i found my issue!!

Thanks in advance!

[notto06]

Ok. So i have the tensioner in hand, going through bwringers little walk through.

Step 12 : "Turn the adjuster shaft clockwise so that it's all the way in."

I am doing this with the knurled knob and spring off. When i turn the shaft clockwise, it just keeps spinning and spinning and spinning. After playing with it a little, i noticed that if i pull out on the shaft lighty while turning it clockwise, it gets to the bottom, then just releases straight out. NOT NORMAL?!?! From his tutorial, it sounds like it should stop when i turn it to the right?

Someone please tell me i found my issue!!

Thanks in advance!