3rd Gen Honda Magna Timing Chain Tensioners / Lifter Assemblies

[@davidblack7528]

Fantastic video, so glad it has not been deleted. Thank you Patrick for your great advice!

[@1941ussphoenix]

Just repaired my '94 Magna phantom noise by following your video. Hearing your Magna convinced me that mine needed a front tensioner too.

[@magnaman94]

I've been riding mine for 21 years. Great bike.

[@jollymolotov5364]

Most comprehensive material on tthe topic I have yet seen. Thank you so much and viva la magna

[@josefilho1623]

Hi Patrick: I modified my automatic CCT, changing de seal screw with other longer and with a flanged nut to lock. First is necessary to adjust using a short screw driver to move de CCT against chain slide, second screw the modified screw until it locks against cct springed nut doing with engine running idle, third, lock with nut. No necessary to remove the entire cct from engine, only remove the seal screw and cooper wash. Zebac from Brazil.

[@y2kmagna]

My Y2K Magna ran fine over 100,000 miles without tensioner problems. Now I have a 1995 and the front tensioner is bad at 25,000 miles.

[@thomasmiller9616]

Thanks for all the info. I have to say out of all the videos I have watched on all types of subjects, Yours is by far one of the very best.

[@gottagoat]

I have a 1997 magna and finally ,because of you I know what to fix. At first I thought the noise was my chain and replaced that but it continued and what made me pull my hair out was it didnt do it all the time. But I parked it and havent started it since it got to be pretty much all the time.Your video was great, very easy to understand and I think I can do it myself, thank you very much

[@patrickvincent32]

+gottagoat Glad to be of help!

[@EvendimataE]

would be nice if you made a video of how to replace the chain...my chain broke but i can not replace it yet since i cant find any video about it on youtube...LOL

[@Deepseeker3]

I pretty much had the same issue as gottagoat. Noise would come and go. Thank you for the video. FYI, as I understand it the problem is that the spring breaks where it is bent to retain. This is how you can look at yours to see if the tensioner is indeed the issue.

[@patrickvincent32]

I understand that the springs break sometimes. Both of the assemblies on my bike had intact springs. I think that the spiral shaft had uneven wear causing it to get stuck from time to time.

[@stevewolf2620]

The front one would stick when pulled all the way back, so it sounds like what you are describing Patrick. I replaced them both last weekend and we started her up. No noise when cold - hope it is the same when I get it hot in spring. FYI, I removed the right hand black colored bracket that goes from the frame to the back head, and it made access and view of the rear tensioner much easier. Used hondaparts-direct.

[@boofer875]

I have a '99, pristine with nearly 30K. PO used Castrol GTX. Good stuff. Mine was a little noisy, so after your video I changed to Rotella T4. Extra Zinc and detergents really reduced noise, I assume buy cleaning spring plunger assm. Also, I would advise putting assembly lube on any new part installed in the engine unless Manufacturer says not to. Good video. Thanks

[@JohnClulow]

Excellent video. Thanks. I have a '94 with 44K+ miles on it, so it'll likely be a candidate for this sometime soon.

[@bachhoang268]

Dịch

[@1965titanium]

I had the EXACT same thing happen EXCEPT I had it back together before I realized I broke it the tensioner by releasing the plunger....IT HURT watching you release the plunger! We ALL have our Einstein moments.....live & learn!

[@joewats6316]

great video, I have 94 Magna love the motorcycle so far had it for only 1 month.

[@captainchaos7706]

OH THANK GOD. My magna stated doing the same thing out on a normal ride. I thought I was done for.

[@Ladosligese]

you got lucky with the long one .. imagine you insert it into the engine while retracted like you told with the small one .. then pull the screwdriver .. and that piece of aluminium shoots into the engine .. auch .. ty for the video

[@rob3071]

Both tensioners on this bike can be changed without removing any parts (other than the tensioners themselves). I just changed mine this weekend. Also, changing them did nothing to fix my issue of a noisy cam chain. So I'm glad they were easy to change and didn't take anything apart to do it. Still, it was a waste of time and money for me.

[@pbkayakyer]

I can't even imagine trying to change the front cam chain tensioner without removing anything. The back one, yes, but I was struggling with the front one and the only thing I DIDN'T remove was the coolant hoses!

[@marksample6230]

You need to do it with the cams in the correct position.

[@rob3071]

@@marksample6230 The cam adjusters are spring loaded and self adjusting? why would cam or piston position matter?

[@marksample6230]

@@rob3071 you have to have the slack on the side of the tensioner. It matters .

[@marksample6230]

Why would it be laid out in a process by the manufacturer?

[@mikewhite7462]

sometimes these tensioners fail and sometimes they don't...Changed one at 20,000miles and the other is fine with 42,000 mile now.

[@sorasaurusrex7795]

My friend and I had the exact same issue with his Magna where the timing chain guide was being forced outward, preventing the new tensioner from seating completely. This video was very helpful!

[@patrickvincent32]

SORAsaurusREX Thanks for your comment. That problem took me a bit of noggining to figure out what was happening. Glad this helped!

[@marksample6230]

You still need to remove at least one valve cover so the cams are in the correct position before installing.

[@jollymolotov5364]

I've been looking to find what the "right position" is... I had a feeling this was the case but in all the forums or videos, this is the first mention of position being important...

[@mikeyalkin379]

Good job, I’m wondering if I can unscrew the plug and spray some cleaner in there to freeze the tensioner up, rather than replacing it??

[@mikeyalkin379]

I have tried that and it worked for a few minutes, That is because once it starts running again the dirty Oil comes back in and make it stuck. It’s all fixed with an oil change

[@benjaminallread4656]

Thank you so much just replaced mine!

[@catsbelikeew]

Hey there, I’m a noob but need to do this on my machine and am a bit worried about messing with the timing?? Is there anything I should watch out for or any tips? Any advice would be appreciated

[@patrickvincent32]

Unless your chain has slipped on a sprocket (which would probably be catastrophic to your engine) there is no timing consideration to worry about. If your bike has really high mileage, the Chain may have stretched which can impact timing. I had no timing issues when I did it. Adjusting the tensioner just takes up the slack on the chain on the non-tensioned side of the sprockets.

[@HootmonHarry]

Thanx for posting.. Very helpful!!

[@mikebarnovitz6174]

Great job on the video! I am ordering mine now!

[@danielknight9206]

Just had my front tensioner go out on my 95 magna. Be very careful, you can have chain slip on can gear and timing be way off.....just reset mine.....it still ran b4 but got lucky

[@patrickvincent32]

+Daniel Knight Yeah, I was surprised that Honda didn't redesign the system, as this seems to be a very common failure.

[@mikedunn8427]

Thanks buddy!

[@henrymetzger9951]

Holy cow, I came to check this out bc i have a super light tap in mine. In fact it sounds the exact same as yours after you fixed it so maybe I'm just being paranoid about that tapping?

[@emoniel1]

Hey thanks a lot man! Maybe gonna be usefull in the future!

[@johnslot7397]

Excellent...niw i know what to listen for

[@Stinkymens]

Is it possible to have one of these go out on a bike with only 6500 miles? I just bought a magna non running and got running and I think I have this issue. When the engine is under load and I get to about 4000 rpm sometimes it will make a weird noieb

[@patrickvincent32]

Yes, it is very possible. Age may be a factor as well. One of the replacements only lasted 8K miles on my bike.

[@jacobglenfought1088]

How do you fix the smacking noise in this video?

[@bruceallan8548]

So can these be adjusted? or do you just have to change them when there is cam chain noise?

[@patrickvincent32]

They're supposed to adjust automatically, but they wear out and require replacement (when you hear that noise).

[@MOTOFRANK2]

hey Patrick, thanks for share this video, i have exactly the same noise in my 97 magna (i think is louder than this in your bike)... i didnt know what was the problema but i now know..... if you have any recomendation for me please let me know..... thank you friend

[@patrickvincent32]

My personal site (frayedwire.net) has the part numbers and prices I paid if that will help you. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@MOTOFRANK2]

Patrick Vincent hey Patrick happy new year, when the front tensioner have a problem it sounds like marbles inside ?

[@patrickvincent32]

FRANCISCO TROCONIS Yes. You could say it sounds like marbles inside. When the back tensioner goes out, it also sounds like marbles inside. You may be able to listen with a stethoscope to determine if it is louder on the front bank or the rear bank. Happy New Year!

[@MOTOFRANK2]

Patrick Vincent thanks my friend, you and this video help me a lot with my bike, i will buy the two tensioners in www.hondaparts-direct.com to get out my bike from the garage.... you are my best support with this problema in my bike.... mechanics in Venezuela are so bad and i have to see videos to solve my problems.... this video help me a lot... dont forget to put all videos as you can about the magna...thank you my friend.... Greetings from venezuela

[@patrickvincent32]

No problem. Good luck!

[@vincentstanczakjr6979]

I have this same problem with my bike. It has been a great bike. I am the 3rd owner and the bike has many upgrades and is rediculously fast. It now has ablut 60,000 miles on it and no oil burn or any sign of a worn out engine. 3rd to beat on it constantly. well built and will never sell it. Now I can fix that which is so simple. I thought it was worn valves. Only thing is, I have problems with smelling like gas when I get off of the bike. like exhaust raw gas smell. No gas in oil. But when I take the air cleaner off, the airbox is wet! Honda dealer was paid 1,700 to fix a few things and then i smell like gas and this issue. They won't fix it. Unbelievable.

[@ubamothereffer1]

my magna started smellin like gas,its the fuel petcock gasket leaking...

[@vincentstanczakjr6979]

+joseph b this one was a rich exhaust smell. the smell of unburned gas after combustion. not like a leak of raw gas. I think he adjusted the carbs wrong.

[@patrickvincent32]

+Vincent Stanczak Jr It truly is a great bike, I like that it is a bit of a sleeper.

[@SebCarro.OccPsychology]

Great video!!! Thank you

[@JoseGonzalez-hp9oi]

I need this tensioners, can you tell me the number of the original part

[@patrickvincent32]

Hi Jose- 14520-MZ5-003, 14530-MZ5-003. Download the manual, it will show you more info. Good luck!

[@scottcampbell8887]

where did he get that part from!!!!

[@gtrs4ever]

Bought a 1995 Magna, 19,000 mile with the same issue, the owner did not want to mess with it...I suspect he wasn't mechanically inclined. I got it for a very good price. I decided not to install an OEM part and went with a manual tensioner used on race bikes. The manual tensioner has no spring to wear out. www.aperaceparts.com/tech/tensioners.html

[@patrickvincent32]

+gtrs4ever How often do you need to adjust the manual tensioner?

[@gtrs4ever]

+Patrick Vincent no issues so far after 3000 miles...I'm hoping not for a long time or never.

[@gtrs4ever]

+Patrick Vincent After installation I started the bike and screwed in the adjustment till the slapping was almost smoothed out but not too tight...just have to listen, you'll know.

[@sccottcampbell9574]

Piston did not need to be at the top of stroke?

[@sccottcampbell9574]

Didn't take off valve cover to measure tension?

[@sccottcampbell9574]

Where can I order the part?

[@dannyarmstrong2013]

Still working before you broke it...

[@ubamothereffer1]

theyre not called "lifter assemblies" that term is reserved for the valve train.fyi

[@patrickvincent32]

+joseph b I know; that's what you'd think, right? Honda calls them 'lifter assemblies' for some strange reason. Google 14520-MZ5-003 or 14530-MZ5-003 and check it out...