Personal Watercraft "PWC" Timing Gears & Chains

Valve timing is crucially important to the operation of any four-stroke engine, be it OHV, SOHC, or DOHC. The last two types have one or two cams above the cylinders and use a flexible belt or metal chain to drive these shafts while synchronizing their rotation with the crank in the most precise way. When it comes to modern ATVs and some other powersports vehicles outfitted with a four-stroker, most of them rely on chain drive. And like any other mechanism, it has its own peculiarities.

Although the timing chain is extremely strong and reliable, it tends to stretch over time. Of course, none of its metal links get longer, but the areas of contact with numerous rollers are subject to friction and wear. Compared to a new chain, the difference in length can be half an inch or even more, and it's enough to lose some horsepower. Sprockets usually last longer than chains, but they also gradually wear out – their teeth get thinner. One more part which may also fail is a chain tensioner.

Aside from diminishing performance, a loose chain creates specific noise and even hits the motor cover in some cases. In many vehicles, chain replacement is a rather complex procedure – you may even need to pull out the engine assembly for easier access. Therefore, once you've planned it, it's smart to also replace some other components whose service life is near its end. It's recommended to get only high-quality parts in order not to do the same job twice in a relatively short time. Anyway, their price is usually much lower than the repair job's cost. Whether you need a traditional or M-type timing chain, gears, or other components of high quality, you can find them in our online store available in kits or individually.