Oil leak...

[Gazclap]

Hi Guys,
got me an oil leak but can't quite work out where from - its on the right hand side of bike (when sat on bike) and I think is coming from what I think is the Cam chain tensioner housing or even the big bolt in the middle of the housing? (I'm not even sure if that is the cam chain tensioner - so perhaps should not be meddling there... lol) . Should there be any gaskets or seal there?

Leak is small when at low revs, ut when rev'd beyond 10k, gets quite serious....

Anybody seen this before or got any ideas??
Many thanks
Gaz

[cargo]

There is an O ring on the tensioner that could letting oil past also it could be coming from the tensioner itself there is a ally washer on that 12mm bolt in the middle or it could even just be from the ignition pick up cover or the rubber insert for the wire ?

All easy fixes

[Gazclap]

Thanks Cargo,
i was hoping this might be the case - but i can't find any micro fische or parts list showing the o ring - any ideas where might source a part number from and any danger taking the housing off to replace the O ring?

Ally washer - will any decent size washer suffice or is there a specific type I should look out for?

Thanks again

[cargo]

You can see the O ring in this page of the microfiche


http://www.zxrworld.co.uk/images/Lseries/lcams.gif


However that is the old style tensioner and so the O ring part number may be different.................anyway you don't need the part number to order it.

As for the washer again the image above does not have it again because it the old style tensioner...................the thickness of the washer could be relevant to the tension provided by the spring in the newer style tensioner and so I would suggest you get a genuine Kawasaki ally washer from a Kawasaki dealer..................... Cradley will have both items.

But first you need to find exactly where the leak is.

One thought......................your leak could also be a damaged tensioner body not very likely but possible

[parby81]

I know you've said you think it could be coming from the tensioner, but how bout the pick up coil which is right next to the tensioner. This is only a rubber seal with some silicone round it, could be leaking from there mate.

* sorry cargo just read your bit about the pick up as well

[cargo]

HA HA

You need to get up early to catch me out

[Gazclap]

Thanks guys, very helpful, I'm gonna whip off the cam chain tensioner and see if its missing the O ring. I'm ok with wheel removal, brake pad replacement, etc, but never been inside an engine....Is there any dramas removing the tensioner housing? Am I opening a can of worms? Or is it fairly straight forward - undo bolts, drop parts off engine, check/replace o ring, put it all back together?

My rudimentary knowledge tells me that the Camchain is a pretty important part(!) and a failure as a result of an error here could be catastrophic/expensive, so by default is the tensioner difficult or important to deal with?

Thanks again

[cargo]

I doubt if the o ring is missing it could be damaged or just hardened with time and heat.


It is NOT just a case of unbolting the tensioner and then rebolting it back on.

It must be reset as it is automatic and it works on a ratchet when you remove it it will extend to it's full extent then if you just refit it the cam chain will be over tight and that could equal disaster.

To reset it remove the 12mm bolt and the two springs compress the tensioner to it's lowest point and bolt it back in place. Then refit the springs and 12mm blot the springs will take up the tension in the cam chain turn the engine over by hand and it will click as the tension goes on...............easy really but not if you don't know.


There is a more detailed guide somewhere on the forum...............................

[Gazclap]

Great - Thank you Cargo. I was pretty sure it would not be so straight forward but your instructions seem easy enough and make sense...

I'll order a new O ring, and get it fitted as soon as I get an opportunity, let you know if it's successful as and when.......

Many thanks guys

Gaz

[Miles]

just a quick question while were on the subject, does a o-ring come with a new cam-chain tensior or do they need ordered separately? just asking as I intend to replace my tensior soon

[parby81]

if you have the old style tensioner then it all comes seperate if i recall. You don't even get the little grub screw and o ring that go in the place of the wire to hold the tension down. If you look on the microfiches and there is a seperate part number for it then it will be seperate and you will need to order that as well

[extonyg]

when i ordered my tensioner from cradleys it didnt come with the o-ring had to be brought seperatly and there not particulary cheap either if i remember,think it was a couple of quid just for the o-ring

[Miles]

right, I always get all my bits from cradley's away so I will check with them before ordering.

Also how do you tell if you have the old or new version of the tensior?

[extonyg]

new version has a 12mm bolt at the bottom of it which holds in 2 springs

[parby81]

and old one has a little grub screw in the side for placing a wire in to hold the tensioner tensioned whilst you bolt it up before releasing it on the cam chain.