GOOD DOGGIES!!!
We have voles here, little rodents that burrow in the grass.....keeps our mutts busy and me filling holes with dirt. Every once in a while a dead vole "chew toy" shows up in the garage so I know they get them sometimes
automatic tensioner is just a spring loaded providing the pressure with a ratchet to keep it from backing out.
Stick with the manual style, adjust it once and be done. If it ever slacks up tighten it a bit (never happens)
To install is to easy, basically install the tensioner in the intake, twist the inner rod with your fingers until it makes contact with the timing guide, twist until finger tight. Back off just a hair, smash down the jamb nut. Done
97-03 SOHCS will require removal of the upper plenum and thermo housing to get at the drivers tensioner
04+ you can get straight at it
Small engines from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Polaris all use MANUAL or RATCHETING style chain tensioners since the 1970's as far as I can tell (I rebuild off road and snow machines), from 50cc two strokes to 999cc v twins with dohc....all use simple chain tensioners until mid 2000's when they decided to go hydraulic??? and then when Polaris goes hydraulic they use the same part that gave Ford engines fits??? I wish I was there at Polaris in 2014 in that meeting....... I actually was invited by Polaris to be on a panel of owners who want to provide feedback, but because my stepson worked for a Polaris dealer they uninvited me
They don't want to hear about my "owner experience" I am sure..... over $60K worth of Polaris machines outside, I think I am qualified!
