Has Anyone in the U.S. Actually Had the New Tensioner Timing Chain Installed?

[Scorpion56]

Has Anyone in the U.S. Actually Had the New Timing Chain Tensioner Installed?

Yes, I've tried to change the title to the correct ordering of words; "Timing Chain Tensioner", not "Tensioner Timing Chain", but no go....

I've seen some posts, mostly on the Google+ site, that owners in the U.S. have had their recalled timing chain tensioner replaced. Maybe I'm missing something by waiting for the follow-up (from their recall notice) letter from BMW to let me know the part(s) is available and to go ahead and make a service appointment. But I'm going on the assumption that the new design/replacement tensioner hasn't hit our shores yet.

Has anyone actually had the "Rev. 2" tensioner installed, or are the people who have taken their bikes to the dealers having the same faulty "Rev.1/original equipment" timing chain tensioner installed?

 

[wsteele]

I was at BMW on Tuesday and asked about the timing chain tensioner and was told the it will be a few months before we see the parts. Also check my post on 12000 mile service this past week Tuesday 8/19/14

 

[Skutorr]

If I remember correctly, Yellasi posted that the new ones have a visible external part number on them; the originals are blank...

 

[BAMBI]

The parts and recall have reached as far as Australia. I had the work done two weeks ago and two days later the letter arrived.

Yes, I've tried to change the title to the correct ordering of words; "Timing Chain Tensioner", not "Tensioner Timing Chain", but no go....

I've seen some posts, mostly on the Google+ site, that owners in the U.S. have had their recalled timing chain tensioner replaced. Maybe I'm missing something by waiting for the follow-up (from their recall notice) letter from BMW to let me know the part(s) is available and to go ahead and make a service appointment. But I'm going on the assumption that the new design/replacement tensioner hasn't hit our shores yet.

Has anyone actually had the "Rev. 2" tensioner installed, or are the people who have taken their bikes to the dealers having the same faulty "Rev.1/original equipment" timing chain tensioner installed?

 

[yellasei]

If I remember correctly, Yellasi posted that the new ones have a visible external part number on them; the originals are blank...

Yes, this is correct. I have done my own and another2 scoots now and that is the only visable way of telling even looking at the whole assembly.

 

[TnKen]

My bike is a BMW C600 Sport with 13,500 miles on it. I have been through the tensioner ordeal, having gone into the actual tensioner failure mode and getting it repaired. Started this past Sunday with getting the clacking sound. Was only about two miles from home. Was able to nurse it home. Dealers not open on Monday so waited till Tuesday to call BMW roadside service. Truck showed up about two hours later and took my bike to the BMW dealership in Asheville, NC. First talks with dealership made it sound like the recall repair was still in bureaucracy and there was no info in there system to proceed on. But low and behold on Thursday it broke loose and I had a repaired bike the very next day. It is back on the road. In summary my bike went down on a Sunday and was ready to pick up Friday of that week. So maybe others will have good experiences from now on. Good luck.

 

[Stonebrook]

I have been lurking on this site for a long time. Lots of good info. Time for me to contribute:

I had my tensioner replaced last Tuesday. My '650 has about 9300 miles on it and I was beginning to hear the "barking seal" noise. Not loud, and only on long rides when decelerating. I didn't trust the machine for long rides anymore.

A couple of weeks ago I went to my dealer, Santa Rosa BMW, and ask if they could expedite the repair. They did not have any info from BMW, but their parts guy put me on his list. He called me last Thursday and I scheduled the repair.

The noise is gone and the engine is tighter and more responsive: like new again. I'm not sure if they adjust the valves as part of the repair or not, that might explain the slight increase in perceived performance.

 

[SteveADV]

Hey Stonebrook,

Thanks for joining in. That's great info. I'm getting mine done next week.

 

[JaimeC]

12,000 miles, never noticed any "Barking Seals" but the cam chain tensioner was replaced at this last service along with the upgraded sidestand switch and stronger top box support.

 

[Skutorr]

The noise is gone and the engine is tighter and more responsive: like new again. I'm not sure if they adjust the valves as part of the repair or not, that might explain the slight increase in perceived performance.

Slop in the timing chain changes your relative cam positioning and valve timing, so yes, it might have more power now!

(That's why older 3.8litre and 4.2litre Jags got FASTER on the freeway the OLDER they were. The timing chain tensioner was BETWEEN the cams, so as it took up slack it pulled the cams in, toward each other, effectively increasing valve timing overlap and high-speed horsepower!)

 

[alice761]

They fixed mine before I picked up my 650 when I bought it last week. I am in NYC.

 

[Tompierce]

I just received the second letter saying that the parts should be in and to schedule a visit to the dealer.

Didn't hear a sound out of my timing chain, but going to get the upgraded part anyway.

 

[TN_Sooner]

My recall is now done - left the bike early yesterday, ready for me this morning.

 

[Skutorr]

They fixed mine before I picked up my 650 when I bought it last week. I am in NYC.

Now THAT sounds like a Great Dealer!

 

[SteveADV]

My recall is now done - left the bike early yesterday, ready for me this morning.

Notice any difference?

 

[Edumakated]

Mine is scheduled for tomorrow.

 

[TN_Sooner]

Notice any difference?

Nope. Maybe faster...

 

[TwoPort]

Bought my GT in August. I emailed my dealer last week asking about the recall and and they responded I could bring it in any time for the repair.

 

[Edumakated]

Just got mine back. Engine doesn't feel as sloppy off the line and feels more torquey. I feel like it accelerates a bit faster.

 

[SteveADV]

The only difference I noticed was that the severe grinding feeling I had at 10mph is now gone. I guess I should add that the transmission (not sure it was the transmission) vibration was so bad (before the chain tensioner work) that I would roll off the throttle and try to ease past that speed until it would smooth itself out. Didn't happen all the time, but happened often enough that I told my dealer I would not ride the bike until the recall fix.

Others, with more mechanical expertise than I (uhh, that would be everyone) have suggested that my "grinding" analogy was probably off base. Could be true and maybe I am being too much of a poet (you know, "super sensitive" about my sweet red C650GT ), but I can only describe the way it felt to me. Now it is gone and the bike is as awesome as always.