crs
Senior Member
New KTM 2013 EXC-F 250.
From the start, the bike didn't like to idle from a cold (well, cold for Thailand!) start - and you'd hear cam chain 'slap' at times when at idle/low revs riding. Apparently the standard KTM cam chain tensioner isn't good - so this is a common problem. It's hydraulic and varying oil pressure means it doesn't always put enough force on the chain at idle - or even sometimes at higher revs (= speed) - so, apart from the noise, the chain can get worn or jump.
Out riding the other week and the bike cut out. Managed to get it started again but it sounded like a sewing machine. Towed it home and fitted a Dirt Tricks aftermarket tensioner the next day (which I'd previously ordered). This tensioner is hydraulic too - but has a spring inside to add extra pressure. Sounded pretty much the same - like the chain was tight on the tensioner. All fitted right according to instructions though - and no other twin cam to compare it too so... Thought best to just ride the thing. Bike ran OK for a few hours but later, after starting to ride faster, it cut out again. Got it started but ran rough and kept cutting out. Had to pickup the bike home.
Put the original tension back in today and checked the timing (which still looks right to me). Engine turns fine - but won't start. (Checked plug, fuses, etc too). Now, I need a good mechanic in CM or CR - because I want this sorting ASAP(!!!) and it's time to hand this to someone professional. I'm thinking German Joe - though I've never used him. I need a good English speaker - because I don't want anything getting 'lost in translation' for this job. Any other thoughts/suggestions for mechanics appreciated. I'm more than happy to pay a fair rate for fast work that gets the job done properly... Because dry season is coming(!!!). Thanks for any help.
Note, this KTM engine apparently has an issue with low oil pressure (DJHCycleSport.com RC4 Installation Instructions). I've been using 10w-40 syn' oil when recommended is 10w-50 or 10w-60 - because of price. This might have made a difference to how the hydraulic tensioner(s) worked. (Today, I put 10w-60 in it though.) Also, I'm sure this mess is all tensioner related/started, but there seems to be another problem now that i don't understand - and, possibly, this 'no-start' problem is actually unrelated to the tensioner problem. I've found out about the DJH tensioner - which is just manual - so I'm going to order and fit that, whatever. I would say that is the way to go, especially if you want to run cheaper (far cheaper in Thailand), lower viscosity oils.
From the start, the bike didn't like to idle from a cold (well, cold for Thailand!) start - and you'd hear cam chain 'slap' at times when at idle/low revs riding. Apparently the standard KTM cam chain tensioner isn't good - so this is a common problem. It's hydraulic and varying oil pressure means it doesn't always put enough force on the chain at idle - or even sometimes at higher revs (= speed) - so, apart from the noise, the chain can get worn or jump.
Out riding the other week and the bike cut out. Managed to get it started again but it sounded like a sewing machine. Towed it home and fitted a Dirt Tricks aftermarket tensioner the next day (which I'd previously ordered). This tensioner is hydraulic too - but has a spring inside to add extra pressure. Sounded pretty much the same - like the chain was tight on the tensioner. All fitted right according to instructions though - and no other twin cam to compare it too so... Thought best to just ride the thing. Bike ran OK for a few hours but later, after starting to ride faster, it cut out again. Got it started but ran rough and kept cutting out. Had to pickup the bike home.
Put the original tension back in today and checked the timing (which still looks right to me). Engine turns fine - but won't start. (Checked plug, fuses, etc too). Now, I need a good mechanic in CM or CR - because I want this sorting ASAP(!!!) and it's time to hand this to someone professional. I'm thinking German Joe - though I've never used him. I need a good English speaker - because I don't want anything getting 'lost in translation' for this job. Any other thoughts/suggestions for mechanics appreciated. I'm more than happy to pay a fair rate for fast work that gets the job done properly... Because dry season is coming(!!!). Thanks for any help.
Note, this KTM engine apparently has an issue with low oil pressure (DJHCycleSport.com RC4 Installation Instructions). I've been using 10w-40 syn' oil when recommended is 10w-50 or 10w-60 - because of price. This might have made a difference to how the hydraulic tensioner(s) worked. (Today, I put 10w-60 in it though.) Also, I'm sure this mess is all tensioner related/started, but there seems to be another problem now that i don't understand - and, possibly, this 'no-start' problem is actually unrelated to the tensioner problem. I've found out about the DJH tensioner - which is just manual - so I'm going to order and fit that, whatever. I would say that is the way to go, especially if you want to run cheaper (far cheaper in Thailand), lower viscosity oils.