cam chain question

[oldyam80sg]

Today i looked at my Yamaha manual about how to adjust the cam chain.I've done it before but that leak is getting to me.You know that leak.It drips a drop of oil onto the frame and eventually ends up on the floor.I got a new housing and the gaskets and the black rubber cap(plug).I removed the old housing and about 3 tablespoons of oil came out.#1 is this normal?#2 Where does the oil come from?#3 I turned the part with a wrench clockwise very slowly until it was lined up with the C mark.I loosened the nut and then the bolt.Is that correct.?The book tells you how to adjust the tension and nothing else.

[bikerphil]

cam chain adjuster

1. Yes, it is normal.
2. The oil gets splashed into the area behind the tensioner and also drips down from the cams.
3. Yes, that is the correct adjustment procedure. There is also an o-ring behind the lock down nut. It will leak oil from there too. Don't overtighten the 10 mm bolt or the 12 mm nut, as the housing can crack.

[trbig]

Reading that... I hope you didn't turn the crank to the "C" mark without there being an adjuster in there already and tight? It should be on the "C" mark before you ever take one out, so you don't have to move it.

Tod

[oldyam80sg]

The very first thing i did was to line up the "C" mark by turning the nut clockwise.

[motoman]

Easy and permanent fix(guess could be submitted as a tech thing too). Rotate to TDC(C) on the pointer. Remove housing, clean all oil residue from it inside and out with solvent or BrakeKleen, sneak it in diswasher with dishes to remove any and all residue. Mix up a bit of JB Weld, put on outer surface where plug is, let set for least 24hrs. Remove bolt and locknut not letting spring and plunger shoot across room(don't ask). Go to your local bearing and O-Ring supplier and get a very small O-Ring that will fit in recessed area,add another small but fatter one atop that along with a tiny flat washer as a compression piece against O-rings. Compressed plunger and spring, snug nut against that, add THIN film of High-Temp gray silicone(no gasket), bolt back on, release plunger with bolt and snug bolt and lock nut. If you want a super quiet top-end, before releasing plunger, hand snug the two allen bolts that retain housing, loosen them one turn each, loosen lock bolt allowing plunger to release, tighten lock bolt and locking nut, then tighten the two allen housing bolts. Just adds a bit of tension on chain without wearing on guide assembly. No more than one turn loose after snug on the allen retainer bolts, as it could create accelerated wear on things. Won't change intervals it should be done, just makes moter extremely quiet and smooth, and in two years and some 15,000miles not so much as a seep. (just my 3sense).

[trbig]

The cam chain tightener has a spring that is supposed to add the proper pressure to the adjuster guides. Just my opinion, but adding more pressure than that would cause more strain and stretch to the cam chain, as well as more wear to the teflon guide.
I want a motor that is going to last 100k+ miles, and adding undue pressure on things may not be in the best interest for longevity. You'll have to remove the head if the guide wears down to the metal, and find another used part since these aren't made any more.


Tod