Greetings! I have a 02 f4i sport that has a rattling cct noise. I am wondering if it's worth getting a new OEM cct or an ebay manual tensioner ? Taking into consideration the fact that the manual is a third of the oem one's price, I would like to know how much will the oem one last before it starts rattling again. Also how often do you guys with manual tensioners adjust them ? Thanks and have a good day!

 

My original lasted a bit over 15,000 miles before I could hear it. I ran it another 1,000 miles or so before changing it out and went with another oem one. I did plan on putting a manual one on a few months ago when I had the bike torn down to do the valves but ended up not doing it. I like the idea of having one that can self-adjust and don't mind switching it out every couple of years.

That being said, from reading past threads it seems most here prefer the manual one...

 

I have the APE manual tensioner installed on mine.
Ive adjusted mine twice over the last 3 years, once when installed , then again a little over a year later.
From what Ive read in the past the OEM tensioner is a little unpredictable in terms of life span.

A heads up though, it takes patients to get at this thing to adjust it. There isn't exactly a lot of room to play with. But Ive had no issues or regrets with about 25,000 kms on it so far.

Just remember that over tightening is a real possibility with these , you can hear when youve gone too far, it almost gets what sounds like a supercharger whine to it , doing damage never sounded so cool lol.
But with a little back and forth you'll get it dialed in pretty easily, just error on the side of caution if your not sure, better a little loose than too tight.

 

Ha, very true! The first time I replaced it, I left the throttle bodies on. Rage inducing would be a barely adequate description! The second time, I took them off and it was sooooo much easier!

 

Ya know? I think I might try removing the throttle bodies next time (hopefully never) I have to replace it.
I agree that "Rage inducing" doesn't quite do it justice , just didn't want someone to miss out on discovering the joy all on their own lol

 

I'm wondering what kind of design flaw do those have. I haven't seen problems with automatic CCTs on other bikes. Anyways thanks y'all for awnsering. Much appreciated!

 

Glad to be of help! As for design flaw, I believe the spring that maintains tension gets sticky or worn out and doesn't put as much pressure as is needed on the plastic arm, allowing the chain to get too loose over time.

 

I finally got some time to take the bike apart. I took a look at the CCT and found this


Looks like someone has made a manual CCT from the oem one. Should I just tighten this one instead of waiting for the manual one to arrive ? If so, how much do i have to tighten it ? Thanks in advance

 

Well, that's... inventive! I suppose you could since it's apparently been doing the job! You should be able to find directions on adjusting a manual tensioner but the gist of it is to tighten right to the point of feeling tension and then backing it off (I think it's a 1/4 - 1/2 a turn), start the bike and listen. If it sounds good, tighten the lock nut...

 

I wouldn't want a flat bolt end pushing againts the plastic tensioner inside that rides againts the chain, thats a bad time waiting to happen. Get a real replacement. I went threw 4 oem's including all 3 revisions of the part number before I went APE and its been fine ever since.