Sign of faulty timing (cam) chain

By

Hunky

– December 14, 2010Posted in: 150cc (Hunk / CBZ / etc), Avenger 220 DTSi, Bajaj, FZ-16 / FZ-S / Fazer, General, HeroMotoCrop, P150, P180, P200, P220 DTSi / DTS Fi, TVS RTR, Yahama YZF R15, Yamaha, ZMA & ZMR

Most of the manual of our bikes (Bajaj Pulsar P150 / P180 / P200 / P220 DTS-i / DTS-Fi or Apache RTR 160 / 180 or Yamaha R15 / FZ / Fazer or Hero Honda Karizma (ZMA) / ZMR / 150cc) seems to be missing the instruction about timing chain replacement.

Here at NexGenBikes.com while maintaining all these bikes under long term basis, we have found that usually within 12000 to 15000 kms, user should think of checking the timing chain and replace it its necessary.

How to know that if your timing (cam) chain is faulty ?

A good mechanic or experienced rider can identify a faulty timing chain while listing to the engine sound in idle RPM. When changing the chain, compare the new one with older one to see if it is really needed to change or not.

Here is an example of faulty timing chain compared with a good one.

It (this guide) is applicable to following bikes,

• Bajaj Pulsar (P150 / P180 / P200 / P220 DTS-i / 220 DTS-Fi)
• Apache RTR (160 / 180)
• Hero Honda Karizma (ZMA) / ZMR / Hunk / CBZ eXtreme
• Honda Unicorn / Dazzler
• Yamaha R15 / FZ-16 (150cc) / Fazer (150cc)

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About Hunky

7 Comments

1. Reply

   Pravin

   Posted December 14, 2010 at 7:33 AM

   Where is the signs ??? In this post there is nothing related to “Sign of faulty timing (cam) chain”

   • Reply

     Hunky

     Posted December 14, 2010 at 11:54 AM

     Please do refer to the given picture.. [:)]

   • Reply

     bijoy

     Posted April 5, 2013 at 9:48 AM

     a faulty timing chain will give a tic tak sound when the engine is on idle ie neutral…turn on and listen

     • Reply

       Hunky

       Posted April 5, 2013 at 3:45 PM

       Yes sir, you are right, an experience rider can immediately identify the sound from a running engine but not the same for a new rider who is riding his bike and getting used to all the sounds.

       For many, its pretty hard to differentiate the sounds coming from engine.

2. Reply

   Ankush

   Posted December 27, 2010 at 9:48 AM

   @ Pravin

   See the tiltnes of both the Cam Chain….

3. Reply

   seldou

   Posted August 7, 2012 at 6:50 AM

   huh!!! The picture??? How can we detect faulty timing chain without opening the engine ???

4. Reply

   Monikumar

   Posted March 5, 2013 at 10:12 PM

   Hi Hunky,
   Good Job and Congrats.. I own a Pulsar 2003 model (non-dtsi) version. Its engine is overhauled before 6 months with new piston, rocker arm, camshaft (not sure whether timing chain is changed).. Even after this, it produces knocking sound (tic-tic)from engine at idle RPM. Is this could be due to faulty timing chain?