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Comparison Timing Chain Tensioner

Comparison of two Cam Chain Tensioners, also known as Timing Chain Tensioner. 

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KTM orig. hydraulic vs MINO Racing cam chain tensioner


We have for comparison an original KTM hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner and a mechanical Cam Chain Tensioner by MINO Racing.

Why should I change the Cam Chain tensioner on my bike, it still works!


Well, the reason for changing from hydraulic to a mechanical Cam Chain tensioner is for shure reasonable having in mind what it means when the timing belt slips only a few teeth off the Cams. Not only that the Valves could be bent, but they even can break and create big damage to the engine.

In Motorsports, mostly Enduro, Hard Enduro and also Enduro Cross it happens during Competition that the motorbike comes to a halt or even the engine pops of. This is the moment when oil pressure drops leaving the hydraulic timing chain tensioner without Juice... Now the tensioner can colapse and leave a loose Cam Chain which can slip over some teeth if the bike is moved while in gear but with the engine off.

You will get rid of any risk with a mechanic timing chain tensioner.

Most Riders report a rattling sound coming from a rattling Cam Chain after a cold start or when they bog the engine. This is from low oil pressure leaving the hydraulic cam chain tensioner without tension.

You will get rid of any rattling sound with a mechanic timing chain tensioner.

A mechanic cam chain tensioner is easily installed and adjusted for perfectly keeping the same tension on your cam chain excluding any possibility for a chain slip.

You can follow the installation here.

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KTM timing marks for Cams

Did you ever search the timing marks on a KTM which indicate the correct positition of the Cams in TDC? Well, here's the secret: Loook in the opposite side of the Timing chain for the two marks which have to be both visible when in correct position. If necessary turn you Cam until both marks are visible.

How to tension your Cam Chain using a mechanic Timing Chain tensioner

How to tension your Cam Chain using a mechanic Timing Chain tensioner... this one is from Mino-Racing This is the buddy from Mino-Racing which I mounted in my KTM four stroke. KTM uses from 2006 onwards a hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner which gets faulty after only a few hours. I guess it is mandatory to change the original hydraulic timing chain tensioner with a mechanical one to avoid break downs in the middle of nowhere! In this short Video you can see all action it takes to tension your Cam Chain. You have to pre-tension it by hand first until the Cam Chain is firm and afterward give it another half to three quaters of a turn with the hex. After that you can fix the counter hex and be shure no problems will occur. Check your timing chain tension every 20 hours or with any valve clearance check!  

Had a Cam Chain tensioner failure ...

After riding uphill I stopped and laid my FR down. Starting it up again, a rattling sound... end of story. ...fact is the hydraulic Cam Chain tensioner or also called the Timing Chain tensioner of my Ktm Freeride 350 stopped its duty cycle causing the Cam to turn over one tooth. Luckily on tooth didn' t damage the Valves, so the got no hit from the cylinder and didn't bent or even break. That would a been a disaster. This is how the Original KTM hydraulic Cam Chain tensioner looks like: Normally oil pressure is even too High causing too much wear of the chain. Testing my hydraulic Cam Chain tensioner on a flat table, pressing it down it remained blocked. It should not happen after only 70 hours. Conclusion:  I will grab a new mechanic Cam Chain tensioner from Mito Racing and get rid of any trouble and noises coming from my engine. Adjusting the new Mito Racing Cam Chain tensioner is pretty simple. I have put a little HowTo and review here.