Fixing engine knock on KTM, Husky and Husaberg - Dirt Tricks timing chain tensioner installation

Hey guys, my Husaberg developed engine knock recently, I found out it is a known issue on KTM Husqvarna and Husaberg engines. These engines have an issue with stock hydraulic timing chain tensioner, after some time the tensioner doesnt build up enough pressure and the chain starts to knock, very annoying sound. In this video I show how to install Dirt Tricks timing chain tensioner and fix the knock.
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dirt tricks cam chain timing chain tensioner install

[@Jurgy777]

Glad someone still cares about us misfit berg riders. I put one of these on my 390 and it was just as straightforward as you detailed in your video. Thanks

[@bobofucknuckle]

Just picked up a 2011 390 and purchased a Dirt Tricks tensioner after watching this video. Very low mile bike that appears to have been a garage queen. Excellent power delivery and handles better the faster you go, amazing bikes! Thank you for the video.

[@dirtniron]

Great to hear! cool bikes for sure!

[@thefugates6658]

I got a husaberg 390 fe but I’m not sure what’s wrong with it after a head on collision think you could possibly help? It laid on its side running for a minute but im not sure if it maybe jumped time or what??

[@MDJTUBE]

Well done Rado. A precision fix for a nagging problem. I can’t stand little knocks or pings and you nailed this one perfectly. Thanks for showing us how to fix this should we get the same condition. Oh and, I could listen to that music all day too!

[@dirtniron]

thanks brother ;)

[@JCmx421]

Not sure if it really matters but that O ring is supposed to go on the outside end of the tensioner it’ll fit flush between that lip on the tensioner and the bolt.

[@anthonyr6555]

I've been trying to find it engine knock video for dirt bikes but all I could find was cars thanks man I had a weird knock on mine but I think it's just my timing chain from startup because of the oil is not thin enough to go through the valve pressure controller

[@beaucottington]

Thanks for this video, just bought one of these a couple days ago and I got super worried hearing that on cold startup today haha

[@dirtniron]

great bikes, what did you get? that noise is no big deal but sure sounds scary ;)

[@beaucottington]

Dirt N Iron 2010 FE 450!

[@StansE250]

Is it true that 70° rebuild parts are Readily available as KTM/Husqvarna current engines, as I’m told ? That is my ONLY reservation about pulling trigger on a Husa FE

[@NicolasPoirier]

Big difference between before and after!

[@techstore4144]

Thank you so much for helping ..... my ktm 450 2012 doing the same thing this morning ... and a friend of mine told me that i have to change the hole chain if I want to avoid this problem again or just the tonsioner will do the job?

[@dirtniron]

I think its just the tensioner, do that first for sure

[@TeaIP]

U need to set it to TDC before disassembling to be sure that the pulling side of the chain is tight, in worst case it could jump a theet after assamble and starting the engine.

[@cheeseeboy2000]

what do you mean by this? what happens if you don't set it to TDC before disassembling? will the bike not work?

[@duanespeck2316]

Not true

[@KTMjs449]

I already installed mine after watching this, then seen dirt tricks had a vid, they said to check with specific manufacturers to see if need to be at tdc, and to put the o ring on the BACK side 😬 oops on both lol but bike runs, took a while cranking afterwards tho

[@BucksnortBowhunter]

Just did the same today checked to Make sure it was at TDC and seemes out of time now. Followed the Dirt Tricks manual and Husqvarna owners manual exactly. Frustrating that it seems so easy.

[@shavedape]

Thanks for this and your other great videos on the Husaberg. I'm buying a 2011 FE570 tomorrow! Very excited. It has 6800 km and 150 hours so will ask if this has been done....it probably hasn't but at what mileage does the ticking normally begin and is it only certain years like 2009-2010? I believe yours is a 2010 judging by the graphics since the HUSA and BERG lettering on the viking battle-axe (learned that from you) rad covers are white, not yellow. I assume all four years had the hydraulic tensioner though so now just need to ask him if it was done and listen for the ticking. Also, is there any disadvantage to these like can the spring lose its tension over time and weaken so it doesn't adjust proper cam tension? Actually, it looks so easy to replace that little spring that it's a non-issue even if it does need occasional spring replacement. It just makes me wonder why Husaberg wouldn't do this simple fix for what must have been known back in 2009 - never mind in 2011 and 2012. I was very happy to see how easy this was to do, about the easiest job I've seen and even easier than air filter cleaning/oiling.

[@lowrider9367]

Thanks. I just did this to my 530 today. AMAZING!!!

[@xterrential]

For those new to dirt bikes or any high performing engine for that matter, *always* use a high octane gasoline with ZERO ethanol. Chevron 94 or shell 94 are the best. These bikes have very high compression engines and lower octane gas will pre-detonate (the pressure created in the cylinder will cause the gas to ignite before the piston reaches the top of the cycle) and cause lower power and eventually bigger problems. Never use old gas or any ethanol blend for race bikes. Always 94 or higher octane...

[@randommxname202]

Thats actually incorrect. Newer bikes such as the Kawasaki and Yamaha 250 and 450 four strokes actually require 91 octane fuel. High octane requires more spark to ignite, which often can lead to improper ignition in the cylinder. Although youre correct for two stroke dirtbikes, in which require higher octane fuel to prevent detonation problems, this is not true fot newer four strokes.

[@xterrential]

@@randommxname202 most people do not have brand new bikes tho. A high compression 250 or 450 needs the 94 and even if it doesn't the 94 won't hurt, however if its the other way around....

[@randommxname202]

@@xterrential Actually, higher octane fuels require more spark/heat to ignite. So if you run high octane in a bike made to run lower octanes, it can cause improper performance, including sputtering, and improper idle/rpm ranges because the fuel is not being burnt completely, or not all of it is being burnt off before the next stroke.

[@shavedape]

In Canada I've never seen higher than 91 octane from what I recall but will run that if Husaberg's 570 requires premium gas like my Honda 700xx ATV does in the manual. Maybe even if it says regular 87 octane is okay, regular is the stuff that includes ethanol, so sounds like I should still run premium unless there's regular at certain stations that have no ethanol.

[@gedigan3346]

The issue was the thickness of the guide thickness not allowing the tensioner to move the next notch. I did still go with new tensioner.

[@travisconover4762]

Did this cause any metal shavings in your oil by chance?

[@johne6716]

Awsome vid, will help us in the future or now if we have common problem.Thanx Rado!!👍

[@dirtniron]

cool John, thanks!

[@leu002]

Hello! Please help! My 2011 berg fe450 won’t start. I washed it and blow the water with compressed air. after I started it for 10 min and drive 2 km. Then I turned off. All good. After one week bike won’t start. Dash dead. FI no light. No blown fuses. I replaced dash battery. Engine is turning but won’t start. I put contact spray in all joint. Nothing. When I made a bridge from + to fuse 1, gas pump started and FI on but I don’t hit start afraid not to burn smtg. I don’t find power relay to test it!

[@petersneddon9898]

Thank you for the great info I had no idea what that bolt on the engine was at all on my KTM 530. Thanks

[@dirtniron]

;) glad it helps

[@tuidog1417]

Hi Guys, Ive just found the the reason for the engine noise on my 2000 Husky TE610. The needle roller bearing on the Cam follower has collapsed and failed , Looking at replacing Cam follower, any tips like where to purchase new one. Guessing I will need not only the bearing but the Pin as well. Thanks Robbo

[@turokrem79]

dobre dobre bracho. len kde to zohnat v kocurkove u nas. idem hladat

[@quentinrance8974]

Excellent Sir, thank you explaining and posting.

[@advsquared]

The Dirt Tricks tensioner is usually bulletproof but mine did fail recently because of a manufacturing defect. I don't think you will have any problem but just something to be aware of if the noise comes back.

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

ADVsquared What happened to it? I have one on my 701SM. And, it sounds the same as the OEM tensioner.

[@shavedape]

@@Shawn-in-da-Canyon so when you installed the Dirt Tricks one it did not reduce the ticking (of the OEM tensioner)?

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

@@shavedape It turns out that DT gave me the wrong tensioner. It’s a miracle it didn’t do any damage. Once I got the correct tensioner in there, it purrs like a kitty cat. And, I highly recommend it. I also use their rear sprockets.

[@shavedape]

@@Shawn-in-da-Canyon Good to know! Thanks for answering 4 years on.

[@shavedape]

@@Shawn-in-da-Canyon Ah I knew that I heard of that Dirt Tricks name before but couldn't place it. I just bought their awesome long lasting light steel sprockets for my 990 Adventure and will eventually add them to my Husaberg assuming I do buy it tomorrow......but it's inevitable I'll get one eventually and very very soon from someone even if I don't get this one. I have momentum now and there's no going back now that I've decided, it would rip my heart out to never get one now even if I only get a 390 or 450. But for dual sport and my 245 lb size I should probably get the 570 that's likely not much heavier than even the 390 anyway (though the 390 will handle quite a bit easier due to the lighter rotating crank even if its effect on handling is minimized by centralized mass location of the crank and the similarly centralized cylinder orientation).

[@ihavestickykeys1402]

Hey man, i have a ninja 300 and it has a pretty loud tick when its just in idle, would you know what if is?

[@allstarenduro6516]

So, you dont need to put it in TDC before installing it? And what about the manual chain tensioner?

[@dirtniron]

I did not to tdc, this tensioner works great for me

[@codenamenoob4973]

Manual tensioners are a waste of time when people think they're a quick fix, stick with automatic

[@papaya_virus]

Can this apply on husqvarna te610 of '93 (engine without oilpump)? Have the same rattle on mine! Great quality vids Dirt N Iron, regards & thanks from Spain.

[@dirtniron]

Thanks brother, I am not sure. Do some research, what kind of tensioner it has, what are usuall problems, etc

[@motomaniac8786]

Can u remove the timing chain tensioner without putting the engine in TDC?

[@dirtniron]

I did on this bike, but its good if you can lock it in TDC

[@lildeanc]

What is Tdc!?

[@motomaniac8786]

@@lildeanc top dead center

[@julienhorellou7888]

Thanks for the video but I still have a question : should valves be in a particular position to dismount chain tensioner ? Thanks in advance.

[@dirtniron]

its good to have it in TDC

[@shavedape]

@@dirtniron do the DirtTricks directions mention this?

[@codenamenoob4973]

Loved these upside down bergs they turned on a dime but the 450 felt very slow to me with its bottom to mid power delivery, even with the aggressive mapping switch it felt very boring

[@dirtniron]

yes, they are great but can use more tuning, I bet vortex ignition with good map would wake them up, they need more air and fuel too

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@dirtniron they feel really heavy when you're moving them around under your own power, very cool design that I think KTM should play with again as they turned really well

[@shavedape]

@@codenamenoob4973 But 251 lb dry isn't heavy for a 565 cc EFI 4 stroke bike with e-start i.e. with battery. I'm not talking by MX standards but enduro standards though maybe in 2023 they'd be more like 235 lb with e-start in this displacement?

[@brendonchase9460]

Perfect 👌

[@nathanielsullivan4615]

I have a 250r and I put a new piston in it when i pull it over by hand it sounds like the cam chain is grinding on something could someone give me a suggestion

[@anthonyr6555]

I was idling for a long time revving the engine a little bit to remove the ticking noise after a while it would go away

[@dirtniron]

Anthony, I suggest replacing the tensioner. It won't go away it will get louder. It's very common problem.

[@Wide000]

Great update!

[@thetrailwaychildren]

I've just got a ktm 530exc and it ticks like crazy. How can I check if the cam chain is excessively worn?

[@dirtniron]

I bet that's what it is.. does it go away when warm and higher rpm?

[@GoDoWork13]

Great tip rado! I can’t stand a noisy engine.

[@dirtniron]

thanks Shaun

[@liamfletcher7226]

Hey mate, I'm pretty sure that o ring is supposed to go on the other side of that little taper!

[@dirtniron]

thanks for sharing

[@markhammersley5747]

How do you remove fuel tank

[@xzistpo]

That's one COOL bike bro.

[@dirtniron]

yea, its so different

[@fernandohorta6853]

Hi. Does this work also for a twin cylinder like the Duke 890R? how do you guys know when the piston is at TDC without seing it? and on a twin, which piston do you consider at TDC) they have a 270 degrees difference....

[@timothybroga1704]

I did just purchase one myself for the 890 how did you make out with the install on your Duke

[@panoskeits8365]

Do you still have this beauty? Awesome bike.

[@dirtniron]

not anymore, guy drove 6hours to buy her.. its a really good bike!

[@jamestylerhagen1624]

Mine has a loud ticking after valve adjustment..i did it myself and the clearances are now all about .02mm from the loose end (intake about .13, ex about .16) of the spec, so maybe its just the valves. I hear it in yours too but mine is a hair louder. It doesnt sound like your knocking going on in the "before" segment so I dont think its the cam chain tensioner. Are the valves usually very noisy on the loose end in ktm models?

[@dirtniron]

i think they do make a little noise, I havent heard anything disturbing on my bike after I fixed the tensioner. Sold the bike few months ago

[@rodneyodgaard5094]

Beautiful...... Love that kinda music too :-D

[@dirtniron]

:)

[@dirtbikeparadise]

great vid man !

[@dirtniron]

Thanks man, glad you like it!

[@stefanie_m466]

first tdc to prevent the chain from jumping a tooth.

[@dirtniron]

yea, good idea

[@mxrider2strokebraaap54]

Nice video!👍

[@dirtniron]

thanks!

[@liamlevasseur1064]

I’ve got a 2017 Ktm 250sxf will I have that problem too sometimes

[@dirtniron]

keep an eye on it ;)

[@liamlevasseur1064]

Ok got it

[@0xgreyhound]

why reuse an oring

[@scotttaggart]

Nice! Too bad the factory can't ship a decent $50 tensioner with a $13K bike! My '17 701 sounded like a wounded/angry woodpecker when it started cold. The HUS factory denied it was making any sound at all (so they would not have to admit there was a problem). With a new tensioner, it purrs like a happy kitten!

[@dirtniron]

thanks for sharing Scott. did you use the same product on 701?

[@scotttaggart]

@@dirtniron A little confused by your question. At first I used a mechanical tensioner on the '17 701 but later read somewhere that a mechanical one (i.e. no spring so no give) can cause extra strain on the chain so I went with the Dirt Tricks tensioner (it has a spring).

[@dirtniron]

@@scotttaggart i wanted to know if you used dirt tricks tensioner on 701. Thanks 👍

[@scotttaggart]

@@dirtniron Sorry for the confusion, yes.

[@1888ducati]

@@scotttaggart Hi Scott, when you installed it did you find TDC? Getting ready to install mine. Thx u

[@5minlifehack708]

Thanks 👌

[@dirtniron]

No problem 👍

[@sendit1158]

Nice

[@cheeseeboy2000]

will this work on a 2005 ktm 640 lc4?

[@dirtniron]

I am not sure

[@chendo7344]

Would this be a problem for a 2006 ktm 250 sxf??

[@dirtniron]

I think its not as common, keep an eye on it though.. once you hear the knock you know what to do

[@grimbleful]

What about a 1998 540sxc? Im about to purchase one with a knocking engine but it's not bad

[@niculaandrei592]

Witch year is this bike?

[@dirtniron]

2010

[@demerrickstaples9002]

nice man

[@dirtniron]

thanks bro!

[@davidlazendic6804]

Can you tell dimensions of timing chain tensioner?

[@dirtniron]

i dont remember, try to reach out to Dirt Tricks guys

[@davidlazendic6804]

@@dirtniron Thanks

[@user-oe8gy8dk8f]

I stager my valve clearance, 4 valves 1 cam ..

[@grassstash3539]

Where r u from?

[@dirtniron]

Slovakia

[@grassstash3539]

Dirt N Iron I’m Slovak too :)

[@zntene]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@kimienick6721]

Mine later change the new one 😆😆😆

[@turokrem79]

Meh i have to listen to my husa. Now im listening to squeeky swingarm. I wish i had a workshop.

[@machines4life450]

Great video, would you be able to look at my latest video on KZbin I’m looking for help with a ticking noise I checked my valve clearance and 1 intake valve is to tight and 1 exhaust valve is to tight but that wouldn’t cause the ticking the way it is? Maybe it’s my auto cam chain tensioner ? Would be a great help if you could look at my video thanks 🙏

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

Tytyty

[@eriklarsson4806]

First

[@mobbniggazz]

Bullshit. You can ride your bike even for 100hours with this noise. This noise comes from when chain is hitting decompressor, not the cylinder. Its not super good, but not dangerous af. And you bought typical manual tensioner, its not about "oil pressure", its only about manual spring, so you have to screw this tensioner every 25-30 hours. And the last thing you cant just change this tensioner, you have to find "dead" position of your chain when u try to install new tensioner, otherwise you will have to repair your engine.