NHTSA Complaint about tensioner

[KrisW]

I am opening an NHTSA complaint concerning the C650 GT Mechanical Timing Chain Tensioner. If anyone has information, pictures of the internals of failed tensioners, or other pertinent information, please post it and I will collate it and forward it to the NHTSA. BMW should be covering this, especially if it is a common failure caused by the Spring. I figure the more the merrier when it comes to taking down a Corporate Giant.

TIA for all inputs.

Kris

 

[Ceesie76]

My 2016 C650 Sport had its mechanical tensioner fail after just 2,500 miles. Was replaced under warranty. Then the new one failed again after about 10K miles so it is now, with 12K miles, already on its third tensioner. Oil changes always with correct BMW Motorrad oil and filter.

 

[KrisW]

Given that it is a 2016 did it have a hydraulic tensioner, or was it upgraded to that? After June 2016 all Series production scooters, no matter the build date, were supposed to be upgraded to hydraulic, either before sale or when returned to the Dealer for service. You can DL the PDF by clicking on the attachment.

One thing to note, the actual oil manufacturer or type is irrelevant in this case, sine the mechanical tensioners only get oil from splash and are internally lubricated before installation. They do not actually move very much, because they are twisted a total of about 5 turns through their travel, so ongoing lubrication is unnecessary. Most, if not all, will fail due to the winder spring breaking, not.

 

[KrisW]

To find the actual documents on the NHTSA.Gov website go here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls Then go to the bottom of the page and click on the highlighted 'NHTSA ID' Link, then type 14V-264 in the supplied area. It will take you directly to the entire Recall, including all inputs or results for the Recall, and you can DL it to PDF form. According to BMW there were ONLY 1350 or so 'affected' C-650's, and about 950 or so were actually serviced, in early 2014. But, I think we all know better, right?