Lower Timing Chain Blew-up!!!!!!!

[3ngin33r1]

Just curious, has anyone ever called Triumph directly on this and get their "official" response to the problem?

Also, what is the first component that fails in this process? Is it the tensioner and it escalates from there?

If it's the tensioner that fails first, it's a fairly inexpensive part that could be replaced by the end user as part of annual maintenance. Not really a solution to the problem but $90 every year could save someone $2k in repairs.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

I wouldn't consider the tensioner rail an end-user replaceable part. There is quite a bit of disassembly entailed to extract it. Maybe I should say the tensioner rail could be an end user replaceable part but shouldn't be.

In as much as I've never seen one close up but I've heard that the synthetic rubbing part is quite thin, maybe Triumph should have their supplier make it a bit thicker but actually I believe it's the lower sprocket that's going south (it is already the southernmost rotating part).

 

[3ngin33r1]

I wasn't talking about the rail, I was talking about this:



But if it's the lower sprocket, that's a whole nother story.

Did they get them from Spacely Sprockets or from Cogswell Cogs?

 

[Sidecar Flip]

That's the spring loaded adjuster. I don't believe that's the problem. As far as the sprockets, well, you and I both know it was the lowest bidder.

capitalism at it's best.....

 

[Triple Trouble]

A couple of points on this problem. The valves don't "stick". When the cam drive system breaks, either the gear goes or chain , whatever, the cam stops turning in synch with the pistons and some of the valves will be held in the open position. The valves then are bent as the pistons keep moving past. I would definitely want to see the piston crowns when the motor is apart as they WILL have contacted the valves. The other point is that the sprocket was updated on later engines though I have no idea whether this improved the failure rate. My bike was recently into the dealers for the paint can rattle (again) and the mechanic removed and tightened the tensioner manually and the rattle has disappeared for now but they wouldn't do any further work. My bike is a very early '05, approximately 12th off the line with 36,000 kms on it. I intend to replace the gear myself over the winter with an updated piece just to be sure.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

I don't remember anyone saying anything about valves sticking other than when the head of the valve becomes an interference fit between the top ot the piston crown and the immovable stem (because the cam lobe is holding it down), it may stick itself in the top of the piston. They are only alloy pistons after all and the head of the valve is (I presume austentic steel).

That's why I said from the get go I'd like to see the pistons before any mechanic buttons it up, even Baxters though I, not for a minute would consider Baxters to do a half-assed job like some other dealers I know about.

Betcha that bike made some interesting noises before it quit running from an acute lack of compression......

 

[busajack]

sprockets

One owner on the other site had the lower sprocket rip the front out of the crank shaft..Crank shaft was 1700 dollars..Not to mention all the crap and shrap that might go through the motor.You can look at the sprocket by removing that black plug just above the oil filter but I don't think It will show any warning signs of spliting unless you catch It just right..Million to one....BJC. Blowme from the blower site has his own replacement sprocket for when you put on the blower pulley, suposed to be better than Triumphs replacement sproket....

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Jack:

Does that mean we have this time bomb waiting to detonate in the belly of the Rocket and spew metal waste all through the engine? How comforting.

**** thing is probably made out of sintered metal powder like a lot of timing sprockets are.

Cook'in down the e-way and lock the motor......not good.

 

[busajack]

TO

A couple of points on this problem. The valves don't "stick". When the cam drive system breaks, either the gear goes or chain , whatever, the cam stops turning in synch with the pistons and some of the valves will be held in the open position. The valves then are bent as the pistons keep moving past. I would definitely want to see the piston crowns when the motor is apart as they WILL have contacted the valves. The other point is that the sprocket was updated on later engines though I have no idea whether this improved the failure rate. My bike was recently into the dealers for the paint can rattle (again) and the mechanic removed and tightened the tensioner manually and the rattle has disappeared for now but they wouldn't do any further work. My bike is a very early '05, approximately 12th off the line with 36,000 kms on it. I intend to replace the gear myself over the winter with an updated piece just to be sure.

Thats my plan to,but do we know of any new ones failing??? TO Rocket,let us know what you think of the new piece when you get It..Thanks Jack

 

[busajack]

Flip,thats why I have been so concerned with this problem..Dont think I would want a motor thats been patched back together..They could recall all rockets and save themselves money on complete rebuilds...BJC Sooner or later I think they will all go..