Noisy timing chain on 93 K1100LT

[captrusty]

Hey Duck I have a 93 1100lt and you mentioned the "BOX OF ROCKS" at idle, what about under acceleration,? once I'm cruising it seems to go away unless I "goose" it, I don't feel a loss of power or anything but I do hear the noise beside at idle, any thoughts? the bike is great in all other aspects regular oil changes etc it has 100000+.

I have read some articles that said the timing chain tensioner which works off oil pressure is known to errode due to constant oil pressure passing through it and that allows more oil to pass which results in lower pressure thus not providing proper timing chain tension? ( that may be a bit of a simplistic description but I hope you get what I'm trying to say) any way I would be interested in your thoughts or anyone else's

Thanks   Rusty

[frankenduck]

I've never heard of the erosion thing.  Doesn't mean it doesn't happen though.

The timing chain travels along a nylon/plastic/whatever chain guide above the tensioner.  My guess is that at 100k+ that might be worn.  The BMW maintenance schedule recommends replacing that every 36,000 miles although I've never heard of anyone actually doing it at that interval.

[ttown95LT]

If you don't change it at 36,000 then what interval would be recommended, my 95' has 44,000 on it, or do ya just run it til it starts making noise?

[frankenduck]

If you don't change it at 36,000 then what interval would be recommended, my 95' has 44,000 on it, or do ya just run it til it starts making noise?

I'd just wait until it starts making noise.  That's just me though.  Both of  my K1100s have 50k+ on them and I've never considered it.  Too much hassle.

[Inge K.]

Did change it (tensioner plastic face and chain) for the first time at 190K km on my oldest one (K100),
then it was less than half way through the plastic face (1,1mm of total 2,5mm).

Inge K.

[captrusty]

Thanks for the input guys I think I may let it ride awhile longer, and then see about looking into it further,for now she runs great and my riding time is getting short .....................