Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Having trouble? Need more info on something mechanical? Ask here!

Moderator: Modsquad

kiapolo1887
Forum Benefactor
Forum Benefactor
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:40 pm
Year: 2013
Color: Black

Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by kiapolo1887 »

I need to change out my cam chain tensioner on my 2013 PCX 150. Does anyone have any instructions or a guide to accessing the cam chain tensioner?
kiapolo1887
Forum Benefactor
Forum Benefactor
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:40 pm
Year: 2013
Color: Black

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by kiapolo1887 »

It looks like I need to remove the throttle body to access the tensioner. Looking at page 10-8 of the service manual, do I need to drain the engine oil and/or coolant?
User avatar
Gil
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 623
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:20 pm
Year: 2013
Color: black
Location: Watsonville, CA

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by Gil »

I didn't drain the coolant or oil. I remember removing the seat, under seat tub, maybe throttle body.
Check your oil level, mine was too high and I suspect that it's the reason that the chain tensioner broke.

Gil
ImageImage
  • 2013 Honda PCX 150, NCY Variator kit, Dr Pulley 13g Roller weights
  • IRC and City Grip tires, LED driving lights, Coroplast top box, MFR exhaust, Daytona Windshield.
User avatar
you you
What's a wot?
What's a wot?
Posts: 10000
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
Location: Between Lulu and Chichi

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by you you »

Gil wrote:I didn't drain the coolant or oil. I remember removing the seat, under seat tub, maybe throttle body.
Check your oil level, mine was too high and I suspect that it's the reason that the chain tensioner broke.

Gil

Why?
User avatar
Gil
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 623
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:20 pm
Year: 2013
Color: black
Location: Watsonville, CA

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by Gil »

I bought the scoot with a bad engine sound, after diagnosing the issue. My friend and I noticed that the oil level was too high, it had a fresh oil change when the tensioner broke. The engine had ~3/4 of a quart too much oil. My theory is that as the timing chain becomes more submerged in oil, it adds more stress to the chain tensioner, leading to its failure. All I have for my theory is the fresh excessive oil and broken chain tensioner.

Gil
ImageImage
  • 2013 Honda PCX 150, NCY Variator kit, Dr Pulley 13g Roller weights
  • IRC and City Grip tires, LED driving lights, Coroplast top box, MFR exhaust, Daytona Windshield.
kiapolo1887
Forum Benefactor
Forum Benefactor
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:40 pm
Year: 2013
Color: Black

Update: Replaced Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by kiapolo1887 »

Replaced the cam chain tensioner this morning. Start to finish took about an hour-and-a-half. First time taking off any body panels or the luggage box, so the going was relatively slow. Did not need to completely remove the throttle body, just disconnect from the intake pipe and move out of the way.

Thank you for all your help!

I'll make a post in "How-to" if anyone is interested.
User avatar
Gil
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 623
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:20 pm
Year: 2013
Color: black
Location: Watsonville, CA

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by Gil »

That's great, i'm a sure the how to post will help someone.

Gil
ImageImage
  • 2013 Honda PCX 150, NCY Variator kit, Dr Pulley 13g Roller weights
  • IRC and City Grip tires, LED driving lights, Coroplast top box, MFR exhaust, Daytona Windshield.
User avatar
Gil
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 623
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:20 pm
Year: 2013
Color: black
Location: Watsonville, CA

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by Gil »

How many miles on your PCX when the tensioner broke?

Gil
ImageImage
  • 2013 Honda PCX 150, NCY Variator kit, Dr Pulley 13g Roller weights
  • IRC and City Grip tires, LED driving lights, Coroplast top box, MFR exhaust, Daytona Windshield.
User avatar
you you
What's a wot?
What's a wot?
Posts: 10000
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
Location: Between Lulu and Chichi

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by you you »

Gil wrote:I bought the scoot with a bad engine sound, after diagnosing the issue. My friend and I noticed that the oil level was too high, it had a fresh oil change when the tensioner broke. The engine had ~3/4 of a quart too much oil. My theory is that as the timing chain becomes more submerged in oil, it adds more stress to the chain tensioner, leading to its failure. All I have for my theory is the fresh excessive oil and broken chain tensioner.

Gil
Fair enough if you think that was the reason in your case. Although I’m not sure you know the providence/history of the engine you are basing your opinion on. Did you know anything else about it other than it had too much oil and the tensioner was broken?
User avatar
WhiteNoise
Official Moderator
Official Moderator
Posts: 8784
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:15 pm
Year: 2015 PCX 150esp
Color: Pearl *White*
Location: L.I. N.Y.

Re: Update: Replaced Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by WhiteNoise »

kiapolo1887 wrote:Replaced the cam chain tensioner this morning. Start to finish took about an hour-and-a-half. First time taking off any body panels or the luggage box, so the going was relatively slow. Did not need to completely remove the throttle body, just disconnect from the intake pipe and move out of the way.

Thank you for all your help!

I'll make a post in "How-to" if anyone is interested.
And a fine organized How-to it is! :P
See it here folks: http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8299
Thank you kiapolo for the step by step. Well Done!! ;)
Location, Year & Color - Please enter Yours today!
How? Log in. Click the User Control Panel button (top right of any page). Upon destination, click Profile in left column. Look >See the questions? Please Complete. We Thank You
User avatar
you you
What's a wot?
What's a wot?
Posts: 10000
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
Location: Between Lulu and Chichi

Re: Update: Replaced Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by you you »

WhiteNoise wrote:
kiapolo1887 wrote:Replaced the cam chain tensioner this morning. Start to finish took about an hour-and-a-half. First time taking off any body panels or the luggage box, so the going was relatively slow. Did not need to completely remove the throttle body, just disconnect from the intake pipe and move out of the way.

Thank you for all your help!

I'll make a post in "How-to" if anyone is interested.
And a fine organized How-to it is! :P
See it here folks: http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8299
Thank you kiapolo for the step by step. Well Done!! ;)

It was. Homie this is what I was talking about, an easy tub removal. OK it wasn’t removed but it’s what you used to do on old skool scooters to get at the engine/gubbins.
kiapolo1887
Forum Benefactor
Forum Benefactor
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:40 pm
Year: 2013
Color: Black

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by kiapolo1887 »

Gil wrote:How many miles on your PCX when the tensioner broke?

Gil
Just over 10,000 miles.
User avatar
Gil
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 623
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:20 pm
Year: 2013
Color: black
Location: Watsonville, CA

Re: Replace Cam Chain Tensioner

Post by Gil »

you you wrote:
Gil wrote:I bought the scoot with a bad engine sound, after diagnosing the issue. My friend and I noticed that the oil level was too high, it had a fresh oil change when the tensioner broke. The engine had ~3/4 of a quart too much oil. My theory is that as the timing chain becomes more submerged in oil, it adds more stress to the chain tensioner, leading to its failure. All I have for my theory is the fresh excessive oil and broken chain tensioner.

Gil
Fair enough if you think that was the reason in your case. Although I’m not sure you know the providence/history of the engine you are basing your opinion on. Did you know anything else about it other than it had too much oil and the tensioner was broken?

You are definitely right, it could be a countless number of other things. I'm just basing my theory on cause and effect. The scoot had 7600 miles of mostly city riding, according to the previous owner.

Gil
ImageImage
  • 2013 Honda PCX 150, NCY Variator kit, Dr Pulley 13g Roller weights
  • IRC and City Grip tires, LED driving lights, Coroplast top box, MFR exhaust, Daytona Windshield.
Post Reply