2003 VFR800 with 32,000 miles with potential worn CCT Cam Chain Tensionermaiking noise

2003 VFR800 with 32,000 miles sometimes makes a tapping sound that is too loud to be normal. I have read the posts and it sounds like a worn Cam Chain Tensioner. I can go days with no noise and some mornings the noise begins as soon as the engine is started while in neutral and at idle and will go away after the engine warms up, but when I ride for a few blocks and stop for a red light, I will hear the tapping and with a gentle engine rev the noise will stop. Other times when the engine is running normal, I gently rev the engine and will hear the tapping for around 15 seconds before it stops.

From what I have described is there another potential source of noise I should explore?

When I stop by the dealership it never makes the suspect tapping sounds. What does it cost to have both CCTs changed? I am hearing $1000 as long as the chain itself doesn’t have to be replaced and two weeks down time. Does this sound right?

I have also read various threads that recommend living with the CCT noise until it gets too bad. If the CCT is making noise, is this an optional repair if you can live with the noise or is it a repair best made before it gets worse?

 

Cam Chain tensioner

I was having the same kind of problem you mention here. When my bike was cold it would make this intermittent tapping like sound. I noticed it around 35k miles and noticed it seemed a bit worse at almost 42k now and going back into fall colder temperatures. I recorded a video and posted it on youtube (YouTube - 2003 VFR800 Interceptor Engine Ticking). I also took it to the shop and they diagnosed the problem as a bad camchain tensioner. They told me they could observe it releasing about 1/2" of tension, and they indicated if I didn't fix it relatively soon that the cam chain could potentially skip a tooth or so and cause serious damage to the engine.

Listen to my video and see how this compares with your bike. I recorded the video using an IPhone, but it seems to be pretty good quality to me. It seems that it costs $500+ if they just replace the tensioner itself. For me they told me out the door price would be almost $1000, since I had them tear down the engine somewhat to diagnose the sound. I would recommend getting it replaced sooner rather than later, because throwing a cam chain will cost A LOT more and possible cause you to go down and get hurt.

Jeff

 

I am having the same noise on my 03, you described it perfectly, just about the same as what my girl is doing. I'm gonna order the Ape manual tensioners soon and fix the problem once and for all!!

 

its only 70-80$ in parts

 

Ron Ayers sells them for $72.37 and they are not difficult to replace. For a $1000 bucks a service manual and doing it yourself could be a better option.