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C650GT Replacing timing chain tensioner Help!

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Bojan Gjoshevski

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May 14, 2016
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Hi guys,
My timing chain tensioner has gone bad, I have 13,500 miles on the bike. Dealership doesn’t have a slot for the next two months.
Has someone replaced this part and able to send me a guide and what parts I need. Bike is 2016, I guess I will need the mechanical tensioner.
Thank you,
Ben
 
Also the dealership says that the only option is replacing it with the retrofit hydraulic one which comes to around 900$ for parts and labor.
 
Bojan Gjoshevski said:
Hi guys,
My timing chain tensioner has gone bad, I have 13,500 miles on the bike. Dealership doesn’t have a slot for the next two months.
Has someone replaced this part and able to send me a guide and what parts I need. Bike is 2016, I guess I will need the mechanical tensioner.
Thank you,
Ben
Click to expand...
My timing chain was done at no cost as part of the BMW recall
 
steve l said:
See:
for photos of the process.
I have a .PDF of the process but it is to big to upload. PM me your email address and I will sent it to you.
Click to expand...
Mine shit itself and gather was a problem to similar models ..
BMW Australia replaced it and ended up with new long motor which also fixed the clutch issues
Just love the bike and glad it goes and handles like a rocker racer
 
Bojan Gjoshevski said:
Hi guys,
My timing chain tensioner has gone bad, I have 13,500 miles on the bike. Dealership doesn’t have a slot for the next two months.
Has someone replaced this part and able to send me a guide and what parts I need. Bike is 2016, I guess I will need the mechanical tensioner.
Thank you,
Ben
Click to expand...
Hi Ben
I am about to replace the one on my 2015 C650GT.....they can only be replaced with the hydraulic tensioner....I don't know if 2016 has the hydraulic tensioner. If you go to bosbmw.com and look up the parts microfiche for the 2016 you will need parts 5,6,8,9,11 and 12 in the parts list that's if you don't already have the Hydraulic Tensioner.
The process involves removing the appropriate Tupperware which isn't hard to do just time consuming for a beginner like myself.
I will have to keep you posted as to how I go.
I am in Australia and the cost of parts were around $600 AU.
 
I’m going to be doing this conversion, was somewhat surprised that my local dealer was able to get all the parts needed in a couple of days
 
Last edited:
I completed the conversion, it was a bit of a pain to do. But I could immediately notice the difference. No more chain noise and the bike seems to run a bit smoother. Feels like an absolute must, who knows how long the gen 2 spring tensioner and the teeny tiny original upper chain guide would’ve lasted.

Make sure you check this if you have an early 2016, after having taken it all apart and looked at it I wouldn’t trust that revised mechanical tensioner and microscopically small upper guide for a second.

Classic BMW lol, do the conversion or else
 
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I messed up my mechanical tensioner at the end of the 2020 season. During the winter I started getting the parts together and was going to do it myself but decided to take it to the shop (BMW Toronto) and have them do it (I did not want to sit on the concrete floor in March). Three days later got the call, I went to pick up the bike. They did not do what I asked and they handed the parts back to me and said they could not get the screw out so they put a mechanical back in and screwed me on the bill bad.
Now 17 months later I burned another tensioner. It is now sitting at another dealership, thanks for the 2 year parts and labour warranty. This dealership now has the bike and is waiting for parts from germany
 
Jakeoster said:
I completed the conversion, it was a bit of a pain to do. But I could immediately notice the difference. No more chain noise and the bike seems to run a bit smoother. Feels like an absolute must, who knows how long the gen 2 spring tensioner and the teeny tiny original upper chain guide would’ve lasted.

Make sure you check this if you have an early 2016, after having taken it all apart and looked at it I wouldn’t trust that revised mechanical tensioner and microscopically small upper guide for a second.

Classic BMW lol, do the conversion or else
Click to expand...
Did you happen to take pictures or follow a write up on how to do this properly? Mine is noisy at start up and bike sometimes stumbles upon acceleration until it warms up.
 
I got tired of BMW USA saying sorry your 2015 C650 GT isn't on the recall list so , have a nice day. I hope your tensioner doesn't fail & waste your engine . Well the next step is to email the CSO of BMW in Germany - [email protected]

He will send your complaint to BMW USA in NJ if live in USA. If you're Europe you might get his ear. I wasn't happy about how bad BMW treats it's customers after the sale is done & there's a KNOWN problem with the tensioner. Yes, it cost $400 in parts & $400 in labor. BMW should fix it since they know they messed up.

I recommend emailing Dr. Markus Schramm directly & plead your case on how BMW doesn't care about its customers when there's a well documented problem. A recall happens when the issue has occurred repeatedly & people complain.

You have to be bold & let BMW know you're not happy with how badly they have handled this serious parts problem

The USA BMW contact who gave the green light & paid for the upgrade under warranty sent me this message: "Regardless of the recall BMW will provide out of warranty goodwill assistance to cover the cost of the upgrade to the hydraulic tensioner." Goodwill assistance, Hmm, I guess I should feel grateful BMW is doing the right action & fixing the problem .

His contact info:
Mark Pechko
Executive Customer Care, Motorrad
Customer Relations and Services
BMW of North America, LLC
P.O. Box 1227 - Westwood, NJ 07675-1227

email : [email protected]

Wow, this should be done to all pre 2016 C650's . I was lucky & my local dealer did the work under warranty . I'm sure BMW corp. paid my dealer.

I recommend going to the top with a email to Dr. Markus Schramm first & them see how they respond. If live the USA & aren't happy with a non response then email Mark Pechko & ask what he can do.

Here's a copy of the email I sent:

I would like file a complaint about how BMW Motorrad is handling Recall 14V-264 Cam Chain Tensioner for the C650GT scooter. I understand the C650GT is no longer in production but there’s still a large number of owners for this BMW product. The recall is for problems with a MECHANICAL tensioner. This tensioner installed in the 2012 model all the way up to the 2015 model have the SAME tensioner installed when built at the Berlin factory. NHSTA issued a full recall to BMW to have the tensioner problem fixed by replacing the mechanical one with a Hydraulic one. BMW Motorrad headquarters created the Recall 14V-264 to help dealers be able to do the work under warranty & no cost to owners

When the 2016 model was released it was updated in a number of ways. When BMW released for sale it was updated with a new more reliable tensioner, a Hydraulic version. Thankfully newer bike owners can ride with confidence knowing they have a dependable tensioner. But I encountered a problem with BMW customer in the USA when I emailed them & asked about how I could get my 2015 C650GT updated with the newer Hydraulic version. I was told my VIN # wasn’t on the recall list created by BMW headquarters in Germany. I was a bit shocked & then confused why wasn’t the 2015 model included? All the 2012 – 2014 models had no problems getting the updated tensioner. So I have to ask, why won’t BMW fix my 2015 if it has the EXACT same tensioner as 2012 -2014 models?

The answer I got from customer service was: We don’t have any options if you VIN isn’t in our system for the recall. We can’t help you. But you do have the option go to a dealer & have them do the work for you.

Well, the cost would $900 out of my bank account. That’s a bit money in my opinion.

I feel like BMW took my $ at time of purchase & then totally forgot about an obligation to fix a problem they know is a serious issue. BMW is very aware of the problem but won’t help their customers. When the tensioner fails then the engine is destroyed, gone, wasted. The C650GT is then ruined.

Based on how BMW has responded to my plea for help with a known problem makes me rethink if I would want to buy any type of BMW motorcycle in the future. How can I trust BMW if they knowingly won’t help me replace a defective part. This situation creates a lack of trust & confidence in your company

You have the option & ability to fix the problem if you choose to help me. It’s up to you if you want to do what’s right & allow the tensioner to be updated at my local dealer - under warranty. This is an opportunity to help restore faith in BMW Motorrad & how it values it customers by working with owners to fix a problem.

Thank you for your time & understanding

Good luck I hope you can get some help getting the tensioner updated & have BMW pay for it

Thx - Mike
 
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