Good to know, but we have a minimum of 3 DS's riding at all times.....For $40 that is an easy piece to keep as a back-up......Just my .02

 

I agree 100%, I'll never be without one again.

 

what will a bad tensioner do to your motor performence??

 

Not much. But what it will do is let the chain slap. If it gets loose enough, it could jump a tooth on the crank and then you might see little smiley faces in your piston.

 

My motor has been "ticking" pretty loud at idol. After searching these forums, it all points to this tensioner. I just took mine out and it is moving freely. As I was putting it back in, I wondered if it needs to be filled with oil first but then, how much. It is a simple idea, as the chain loosens, the spring pushes out the plunger and draws in oil to take up the new space inside. But when we put them in new, they are filled with air that can be compressed. That will cause a "spongy" tensioner. Right? Am I missing something?

 

No, it should be pretty hard to install. The spring wears out and thats what makes them easy to install. If you didnt have to push on it pretty good to get the bolt to start, its needs replacing.

 

The spring tension feels like it should. However, "feels like it should" is not a very calibrated test. I was under the impression that if its not stuck in or out and it is actually springing, then it is fine. I'm going to buy a new one. Then I'll know. I haven't spent any money on the DS in a while anyway. Knock on wood.

 

If you're getting alot of chain slap noise at idle try raising your idle rpm just a bit...it will supply the necessary oil pressure for the tensioner to function...worked for me.