Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement. Now KABOOM!

[nickleuci]

Edit- this issue had nothing to do with the tensioner. It was the result of forgetting to tighten the oil drain plug.

Sled ran good in back yard after replacing the tensioner. Idled perfect sounded normal, no leaks (i looked).

Took first real ride after doing the chain tensioner today. After 90 miles sled vibrates, engine makes a backfire sound, then a hiss, and loud squeal. Not sure the order of these events, my son was riding behind me and he said it happened fast and he didn't remember the order. After which the sled dies. Yellow warning light comes on with the check engine light. It started after that, idled only, wouldn't rev. Only tried for a second.

Oil was all over the place and the oil tank was empty. Oil line was on the tank. Didn't try to troubleshoot much on the trail we were 40 miles from civilization. Towed it back to truck, now it's thawing in the garage.

I am thinking we toasted the crank bearings (especially cause of the squeal). Anybody know what I am looking at as far as cost range to tear-down and repair when this happens?

I am going to pull some panels and see where the oil came from in the morning. I'll put oil in it and fire it up to listen to the carnage (assuming the failure wasn't catastrophic).

Well so much for preventative maintenance to keep from blowing this thing up. WTF

 

[grizztracks]

Did the hose between the bottom off the air box and stator cover come off?

 

[nickleuci]

Don't think so. It's still on the stator, might have popped off the airbox but I have not looked yet. I put a longer hose on there a few yes ago cause the stock one is tough to connect, it's barely long enough.

I wi


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[nickleuci]

Going to diagnose where oil leaked from today. Will let you know what I find.


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[grizztracks]

A recent post about a cracked oil cooler line: http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/vector-engine-noise.138843/

It's important to inspect all the oil and coolant lines periodically as preventive maintenance.

 

[nickleuci]

Yeah I have been reading that one.


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[nickleuci]

Here's another tip. Make sure you tighten the drainplug on the oil tank after changing the oil. If not it could fall out after say.....90 miles of riding. F me.

So i put a bolt and copper washer in the drain plug hole....the original bolt is no where to be found. put about 3 qts of oil in it, started it, reved it to about 6000 rpm. Sounds normal.

Going to take it for some test runs to see how it sounds under load

I will pull the filter and cut it open to look for metal filings. Any suggestions on some other checks i can run to see if the engine was damaged badly?

.

 

[grizztracks]

Your not the first one that forgot to tighten a drain plug. I never put a plug back in unless I have a wrench in my hand to tighten it. From what you've described I'd have to believe there's some damage to the crank and bearings.

 

[nickleuci]

I would think so too, wish I was riding, he's a bit unclear on what he heard. I might take the primary off and listen again.

Assuming it sounds ok what do you think best and worse case scenarios would be if he just kept riding it. Trying to weigh options....

 

[grizztracks]

Probably scored the crank/crank bearings and possible scored the cylinder walls. If it's not knocking then it didn't spin a rod bearing which is surprising but because it wouldn't run it sounds like the engine was locking up. I would check compression and at least check the crank bearings along with the stub shaft and counter shaft roller bearings before running it. While checking the bearings you can also inspect the cylinder walls from the bottom. If you continue to run it and there's enough internal damage to eventually cause a catastrophic failure you'll be looking for a new engine or parting the sled out.

 

[nickleuci]

Just to clarify, it did run, and it did not lock up. With no oil in it on the trail.... when we started it, it did idle, but died when we hit the throttle, just like when the tors is engaged, i then popped the hood to find oil everywhere.

I only let it idle for a second, i assume the low oil sensor prevented the engine from revving past idle. The clutch rattles, and makes it hard to hear any knocking. From the oil tank side i don't hear anything, clutch side i hear a rattle at idle that i don't hear when i rev it. I really think what i hear is the primary, so i will pull it and that should allow me to just hear the engine.

Thanks for your help with this Grizz. Will post as i learn more, maybe put a vid up of how it sounds.

 

[grizztracks]

I agree that the low oil probably wouldn't let it come of of idle after the restart. Did the belt get oil on it causing it to squeal? The vibration and backfire is a little concerning but maybe you got lucky and caught it in time.

 

[nickleuci]

Finally spent some time on it. Vid makes it sounds noisier than it is. No knocking or rattling at all.

Still have yet to check compression.

Son is fuzzy on what he heard and I think he exaggerated the sounds. I am guessing it was vibrating cause it was running rough as it shut down. He said the squeal was more of a compressed air squeal. So I'm thinking that the bolt shot out and the pressure made a screeching noise as air atomized the oil coming out of the drain hole.

Hand slipped off the throttle when I was recording on the right side hence the stutter.

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[smokingcrater]

Sometimes you get lucky! That certainly sounds healthy, not what you would expect from an engine that was run dry.