Yamaha Rhino cam tensioner question

[RainyDay]

My grandfather gave me a 2009 Yamaha Rhino that wouldn't start.

It's been in the storage units for centuries lol.

It looks like the cam chain came off, probably because the cam chain tensioner was bad.

Idk yet if the piston got hit by the engine's valves when this happened.

I'm gonna peek inside the engine through the spark plug hole to check for damage.

They've heard that a lot of Rhino owners replace the original cam chain tensioner with one from a Yamaha Raptor.

Is this really possible? Tell me what you think guys!

 

[Not.a.Girl]

My grandfather gave me a 2009 Yamaha Rhino that wouldn't start.

It's been in the storage units for centuries lol.

It looks like the cam chain came off, probably because the cam chain tensioner was bad.

Idk yet if the piston got hit by the engine's valves when this happened.

I'm gonna peek inside the engine through the spark plug hole to check for damage.

They've heard that a lot of Rhino owners replace the original cam chain tensioner with one from a Yamaha Raptor.

Is this really possible? Tell me what you think guys!

Don't know if it's possible, not really sure about that kind of stuff exactly but you know at this age and time you will probably be able to get it fixed literally anywhere. Now all I wanna say is, wow props to your grandpa for still giving you something. Might be in the storage but at least he thought of passing it onto you instead of someone else.

 

[logan_h_38]

My grandfather gave me a 2009 Yamaha Rhino that wouldn't start.

It's been in the storage units for centuries lol.

It looks like the cam chain came off, probably because the cam chain tensioner was bad.

Idk yet if the piston got hit by the engine's valves when this happened.

I'm gonna peek inside the engine through the spark plug hole to check for damage.

They've heard that a lot of Rhino owners replace the original cam chain tensioner with one from a Yamaha Raptor.

Is this really possible? Tell me what you think guys!

I'd say that's a pretty common story with older Rhinos.
The stock cam chain tensioners are definitely a known weak point.
Swapping in a manual tensioner, often a Raptor 660 one, is a very popular and recommended mod.
It gives you much more control and prevents those tensioner failures.
Definitely check for piston/valve contact before you go too far!
Good luck with the rebuild!

 

[T.rex]

For the valve damage definitely check through the plug hole and maybe do a leak down test if you're unsure, if the chain slipped while running, there's a good chance valves kissed the piston

 

[Rezz_davis]

And yep, you're right, rhino guys swap in the manual tensioner from the raptor, the stock auto tensioner on the 700s is known for failing and letting the chain get slack, raptor one fits with minimal fuss and holds tension way better

 

[Magixxx]

Swapping in a Yamaha Raptor cam chain tensioner is possible, but it's not a guaranteed fix, fitment and tension specs differ, so many owners end up needing custom adjustments or additional parts