Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
cam chain symptoms cam chain symptoms
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: stgo, chile
Posts: 67
cam chain symptoms
Hi again mates:

My 98'xt 600 E has done 40000 kms.
i've read other post in the xt600 forum but there's a lot of info of the xt 660,very similar to xt600 engine but what with the xt 600 E?

When i turn the engine on,it starts to sound really funny,very similar like loose game valves and after 4 minutes or so,the engine's sound it starts to fade out.

What could be wrong here?

-wear in the timing chain?

I checked the game valves like a couple of months ago,but the sound is still there.

any comments?

thanks mates


__________________
Regards, Victor
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Holland
Posts: 360
You can check easily, remove the chain tensioner carefully, make sure it does not change position when you remove it, and look how many marks there are left for the spring to tension the chain. The last 4 or 5 marks will not be engaged automatically by the spring. If that is your situation, you can move the tensioner forward 1 mark by hand, put it back and start the engine and listen.

------------------
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.
__________________
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 651
Don't be overly careful removing the cam tensioner. Just first remove the center nut so the spring disengages. Tensioner will then remain in the same position when you remove the two allen bolts and the tensioner.

Auke
__________________
Auke
http://aukemarieke.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: stgo, chile
Posts: 67
Hi,thanks for the replies,i've checked the tensioner and i saw the marks and it was exactly just like you said in the 5 last position.

Then i push the thing of the tensioner in,and the sound has gone,(i put it in the 3 last mark).

Should i change the chain?

and if so,what about the tensioner?i think the only piece that wears off is the spring of the tensioner.

What do you think?

Thanks again mates
__________________
Regards, Victor
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Holland
Posts: 360
Theoretically you should change the chain, but you can also run the bike for another year or so like I did for 30.000 km., so no hurry.
I suspect that the performance at low rpm wil decrease a bit with a worn chain, but at high rpm it's a bit better. Did you notice that also?
It is said that some racing tuners deliberately put the camshaft one tooth too late to increase high rpm power.

------------------
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.
__________________
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Mar 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Moving the cam timing out by one tooth can be done on some bikes but you have to be very careful.

If top end power is increased, it will be at the expense of some midrange power. This "trick" is not free horsepower, it is only moving the power around. To do it properly, you're better off having adjustable cam sprockets. I imagine you would get a better result with a DOHC engine where the inlet & exhaust timing can be moved independant of each other compared to a SOHC engine where the relationship between inlet & exhaust is fixed.

A god way to envisage this is to imagine a dyno read out - it's not the peaks that matter, it is the "area" under the hp/torque line on the read out that counts.

Steve
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: stgo, chile
Posts: 67
Thanks again.

The mechanic broke the cam shaft because he tried to remove the crankset nut(19 mm)by holding the cam sprocket with a screwdriver.
In the end,he replaced the entire cam shaft for a new cam shaft.

The weird thing is:

I noted that the engine's oil has raised 20 degrees celsius at least and it sounds a bit louder(tic tac tic tac).

Could be the NEW cam shaft? what i mean is because it is new and still it hasn't got the braking in period,and the oil is hotter because of the braking in?

thanks for replies
__________________
Regards, Victor
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Mar 2004
KlausXT600's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Posts: 295
check cam timimg.
if the mechanic has fitted the cam sprocket in a wrong position, the engine might overheat.

order the clymer manual from amazon.com, everything you (or your mechanic) need to know about this is in there ( ISBN 0-89287-546-1 )

best regards
klaus
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: stgo, chile
Posts: 67
Thanks for that klaus,i'll be checking in the service manual to check the correct cam sprocket position.

one more question klaus,if the cam sprocket is not in the upper position but the timing marks are aligned,is this what you think that is wrong and the engine might overheat?

Thanks again

[This message has been edited by xt performer (edited 12 March 2004).]
__________________
Regards, Victor
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Caracas
Posts: 28
Hi, experts guys, I wanted to revive this thread so you can show me some light:

I have a XT 600 and I rebuilt the upper engine, meaning cylinder, piston, rings, valves seals, seats etc. because of gray smoke. I noticed that the cam chain tensioner was all in (in the last mark) but I did not change it. After all that the bike had a failure at 1/4 throttle (2500 rev). It sputters and shakes as I accelerate more and more, I feel a lot power but a lot of vibration too.

Question: is it possible that the timing is a little bit off due to this slack?

By the way I check the carb, the plug, the gas, the filter and everything was right.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Denmark
Posts: 1,417
Dont think thats why. But with a chain stretched that far, I would replace it asap, before it takes out your newly rebuild engine aswell.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top