Timing Chain Tensioner - How Long Does The Stock Unit Last?

[Bill Havins]

Yesterday I fired up my '98 EV to go to my part-time job.  I let it idle as I pulled on my riding gloves and was surprised to hear a "new" clatter that appeared to come from the left side of the timing chest.  I thought, "I know what that is."  My odometer flipped 30K several weeks ago; the bike is "just broken in."  I pulled on my gloves and headed to work.  I didn't hear the noise when I waited at a stop light some 5 minutes into my ride to work.

I am in the process of ordering parts/tires in preparation for our annual Fall trip to New Mexico - 7 days of riding in the high desert, a trip to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Area, and bowls and bowls of green chili stew and posole.  Now that's the way to "charge your battery!"

So, now that my mouth is watering, on to the question.  I have never opened the timing chest on this scooter.  At 30K+ should I add a Valtek timing chain tensioner to my list of things to do in preparation for the trip?

Thanks!

Bill

[fotoguzzi]

I would save that job for winter. and get a new chain too.

[Bill Havins]

I would save that job for winter. and get a new chain too.

Very good.  Makes sense to me.  Thanks, Brad!

[Wayne Orwig]

Mine has 120,000 miles. It is due for a look probably.
30,000 is nothing. Not saying it didn't suddenly fail though.

[Bill Havins]

There is that (suddenly fail) - I was a bit surprised when the carrier bearing for my cardan joint  "suddenly failed" last year.

I'll try to ride the bike every day for the next couple of weeks.  If the noise is persistent/gets worse I'll have time to get parts and install them before we head to New Mexico.

[Stevex]

Bill, this was what my LM2 timing chain / stock tensioner looked like after 34,000 miles.
Actually to call it a tensioner is doing real ones a dis-service. It's a block of hard rubber that does not self adjust.
You can see the slack in the chain, which also can't do the ignition timing any favours.
I'm hoping Guzzi updated the tensioner before they made your bike!



If you look at the inside of the chest below the 'tensioner' you can see where the chain has caught on it and started to wear it away.
I replaced the chain and fitted a Valtek.
I used a Mercedes Benz chain, which need cutting down, and it came with a split link...no problem; and you only have to remove the oil pump sprocket if you fit the split chain rather than an endless one.



If you fit a Valtek, remove the spring while fitting the blade and support bracket and refit it after you've replaced the chain, makes life a lot easier.

[acogoff]

If'n it has the nonspringloaded type you are at least in need of an adjustment or a valtek at 30K. If it has the newer springy one, you can be on your way for a bit.

[fotoguzzi]

Bill, this was what my LM2 timing chain / stock tensioner looked like after 34,000 miles.
Actually to call it a tensioner is doing real ones a dis-service. It's a block of hard rubber that does not self adjust.
 

the 98 EV does not use the rubbing block, it has a proper spring tensioner.

[Doug McLaren]

That EV has the same type of tensioner that was on my 1100 Sport. It was shot at 35,000 km (approx 22,000 miles), I replaced it with a Valtec type.

[ITSec]

Now this makes me wonder - I have almost 100K on my 2008 Norge, but have never seen any sign that the timing chain or tensioner need any attention. While I do a lot of work myself, the bike sees a 'real' (and very good) mechanic from time to time, and he hasn't mentioned anything either.

Is there a 'typical' life for these components, and how does it differ between various iterations of the big block?

[rodekyll]

Someone remind me why Guzzi's have a timing chain?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Someone remind me why Guzzi's have a timing chain?

Because DeTomaso was a cheap ba$tard. 

[ITSec]

Someone remind me why Guzzi's have a timing chain?

Ray Cummings explained it back in 1922...

"Time... is what keeps everything from happening at once"

[lucian]

Chain, I hate chains, I thought they had shafts.

[fotoguzzi]

Ray Cummings explained it back in 1922...

"Time... is what keeps everything from happening at once"

that's good!

[Kiwi_Roy]

the 98 EV does not use the rubbing block, it has a proper spring tensioner.

I replaced the same "proper spring tensioner" on my VII Sport at around 50,000 miles
IMHO it's a useless idea for a tensioner, the spring is way too weak.

[fotoguzzi]

Agreed the Valtec is a stiff piece and good to have.. but the last EV I took apart w/40k had no sign of slapping chain on the case and felt pretty tightly tensioned .. I'd let Bill have that tensioner for free but the cost of the Valtec is small so just get that and a new chain. (next winter)

[Bill Havins]

I appreciate the responses.  I'm content with waiting until winter to open the timing chest and have a look inside.  I only heard the noise once.  It's probably just fine to wait, unless it starts happening more frequently.

As an aside, I had a Ford Explorer for 16 years.  It had a 4.0 liter V6 in it.  Now that's an engine with timing chains noise!  That engine has three timing chains - two on the front and one on the rear.  And the silly hydraulic tensioners would pressurize when they wanted to at idle.  Much of the time it sounded like marbles rolling around in a trash can.  Dawg!  What a goofy design!