09 exc 450 timing chain tensioner

[xr8d]

Hey all,

at the newbie ride, my normally easy starting 450 wouldn't. After running the battery down with the button, I resorted to kicking. After many kicks, this worked, but once out on the trail, I could hear what I thought was the timing chain slapping around in the head. I aborted the ride for fear of damaging internals, and took it to the shop I bought it from. They could not find anything wrong, and now it seems to run fine. I will take ScottBC's advice and get a Dirt Tricks tensioner, but wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar occurance. Not sure what to think, but it makes me a little nervous not finding an obvious problem.

Cheers,

Jon

 

[paulmc]

My 08 with the JD kit starts fine cold or hot. It has been hard to start after stalling on failed hill climbs, but I blame myself for that.
With 90 hours on the bike I started to hear a lot of noise that I'm pretty sure is the timing chain tensioner, noisy at idle and low revs but fades once the power builds. I also think the DT tensioner is in my future, let me know how it works out for you.

 

[PistolPete]

Hey Jon...take a look at the video on the Dirt Tricks site. It shows quite well how quieter the engine is with the Dirt Tricks CCT as compared to the OEM.

The top end of my Husaberg is the same as your EXC. I picked up a Dirt Tricks Tensioner, but have not installed it yet. The CCT was one of the only things updated on the Bergs from 09 to 2010. I am pretty sure the KTM would be the same. I figure there must have been a reason for the update and really favour the ratching system and spring tension setup of the Dirt Tricks. The OEM one relies strictly on oil pressure. A few of the Berg guys have actually found that their bikes were very hard to start with the OEM tensioner...put in the Dirt Tricks and the problem went away. I think it might have something to do with at the moment of starting there is no oil presuure on the tensioner, the cam chain is slack, and the auto decompression lags behind causing the starter to fight against the full compression of the engine. I may be totally out to lunch, but it kinda makes sense to me.

The Cam Chain slap could have been caused by a temporary lack of oil pressure to the CCT.

Did you drop the oil and check it just in case something did go wrong?

 

[xr8d]

I had the dealer do a full service and fluid change since it was due anyway. They didn't find any sign of a problem, and now the bike is back to easy starts and seems to run fine. I am wondering if there was a temporary blockage of the oil passage in the tensioner which made the chain stay slack for the entire time. Seems ok now, but will upgrade the tensioner as a precaution. Thanks for the responses, it may take a while for me to try the dirt tricks, my bike is 7 months old, and only has 30 hrs. Damn job keeps cutting in to riding time!!!

 

[Wopper]

I have an 08 530 with 268 hrs & 12,811 km on it its always run perfect, JD kitted since day 1, just installed a new KTM CCT on it, much quieter now, no issues with this bike, best bang for the buck bike I've ever owned, I just got a good deal on a nearly new 09, so I'm gonna be selling the 08......ignore what everyone says, get the JD kit, use the 3000-6000 ft elevation setup out of the box, get a fuel screw needle, run full Synthetic oil, ( 2000k changes) and ride, ride ride!!!

 

[Gonebiking1]

I just bought a 2010 530 EXC, waiting for the JD jet kit. Does the kit come with the fuel screw needle? If not, do I use a KTM one? Thanks for the help.

 

[Fbomb]

No, the needle is separate and any brand will do, it is for the convenience of adjustment without taking the carb off.

 

[cariboo cory]

I agree with the rest I have 09 530exc JD jetted it from the dealer, but after 40hrs the cam chain started to make noise at idle only, a call to dirt tricks ,and they sent me their ctt ,
plugged it in and that was the end of the noise. The remote fuel screw works the best also. cory out...

 

[broxy]

I agree with the rest I have 09 530exc JD jetted it from the dealer, but after 40hrs the cam chain started to make noise at idle only, a call to dirt tricks ,and they sent me their ctt ,
plugged it in and that was the end of the noise. The remote fuel screw works the best also. cory out...

Older thread, I known, but I just installed a Dirt Tricks tensioner on an '09 Husaberg FE 450 (same CCT as the KTM XC4) with 100 hours, and a noisy cam chain, and it sounds like brand new! Money well spent, but there is another option, and it is the DJH manual tensioner.

 

[xr8d]

Finally installled the Dirt Tricks tensioner ( I can procrastinate almost as well as Alex). It has eliminated the timing chain noise and is working great. When I finally desmogged a couple weeks ago, it messed up my low speed jetting. Installed the R&D remote fuel screw, and all seems well now. Both products well worth the modest investment. The two added together are cheaper than a new jug of oil and a filter!! Now I just need to find the time to ride the damn thing!!

Jon

 

[scottbc]

Jon, it's about time you got that installed. My 09 is at 180 odd hours and about 8000K. No problems to speak of, jetting has performed well from sea level to 10000'. I think that the fuel screw is highly over rated, haven't touched it after i got it dialed in.

Scott

 

[xr8d]

Hi Scott, unfortunately mine is just over 50 hours (I don't get out much!!). The jetting was perfect until I pulled the smog crap off, then it wouldn't idle well and didn't like to start hot. The fuel screw fixed that and it is back to easy starts hot or cold (it was recommended by Gnarly Dave). It was a cheap and easy fix (hell, anything I can fix myself must be easy!!) It was fine with the smog stuff on, and I probably should've just left it alone, but once it was off, I couldn't remember where each hose was from, so didn't just put it back (have I mentioned I am not much of a mechanic?)

Jon