Timing Chain cover removal (sprint)

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Thank you for all your relies and suggestions.

The main reason I am removing my timing chain cover is due to reset the tensioner. I removed the head last september and for some reason the chain and sprocket will not fit the camshaft spigot, so i have to strip it down.

Thank sfor the part number for the Nissan tensioner, I may well repalce it while I am there.

Malcolm

[Tony Burd]

At what point do you have to replace the tensioner? If it has plenty of meat left on the slipper but is a bit grooved is it still ok if you reset it and take any slack up with the curved guide.
Surely it's better to stick with a slightly worn original.

[trackerjack]

Those of us who have rebuilt a few engines try to make them last and replacing worn guides means a few decent tensioners have been binned that could have carried on for thousands of miles more.
I am rebuilding an engine now that I have had in the garage for 15 years and will reuse the grooved Renold tensioner.
cheers
Jon

[Jon Tilson]

Yes T-J is right. If the grooves aren't too deep it will do you another 20k miles, which I'm guessing is a good few years.

Jonners

[Tony Burd]

Thought as much, so it's a good idea to replace it if you can with a NOS item but not essential, just wanted confirmation, which might help a few people who are thinking I must replace this item, whereas they'd be better off keeping the original.

Thanks.

[Pippin]

I've just done some quick looking around and found that the Rolon crowd are based in India. However, their parent company is Reynold. see this.... http://www.renold.in/Products/Transmiss ... /Rolon.asp
Cheers,
Rob

In the light of the above, I contacted the Chief Executive of Renold plc, and this was his very prompt response:

"Renold is very proud of its quality, service and engineering and its hard won reputation is something that we continuously work to enhance. We are therefore very pleased to hear if anything is happening in the market that appears to reflect badly on us.

However Renold do not and have never made, or sold, Rolon branded automotive chain tensioners. The Rolon brand is owned by LGB of India and therefore the product people are having difficulty with is in all likelihood theirs.

Renold did make Renold branded automotive chain tensioners but we withdrew from the automotive market in 2006 and so any product with our name on it will be over 10 years old. Again just to be clear, that would not have been branded as Rolon.

I would very much like to understand where the connection is occurring in the market between Renold and Rolon branded chain tensioners so if you could help me understand that I would be very appreciative. We do however have issues with counterfeit products being sold under our name occasionally so if there are any Renold Rolon chain tensioners around we would very much like to have the details. If anyone can supply us with any information on such products I would be delighted to know so that we can investigate further.

I hope this helps you resolve your issues and if I or Renold can be of any further help please do let me know."

[Pippin]

So it appears that the manufacturers of the defective Rolon chain tensioners are: www.lgb.co.in/index.html

Anyone who's had a bad experience with these Rolon chain tensioners may wish to raise their concerns about this by email at: info@lgb.co.in

Alternatively, they may prefer to contact one or more of the following:

General Manager and Company Secretary Mr. M.Lakshmi Kanth Joshi - email: lk.joshi@lgb.co.in
Deputy Managing Director Mr. P. Prabakaran - email: p.prabakaran@lgb.co.in
Chairman Cum Managing Director Mr. B. Vijayakumar - email: b.vijayakumar@lgb.co.in (although this address is only my educated guess )

My suggestion would be to politely but clearly explain the problems you've had, why these premature failures aren't in line with the manufacturer's own quality aims - see www.lgb.co.in/quality.html - detail the consequences of the failures and ask them for their response. It may help to provide details of where the tensioner was purchased, attach photos of the failed item and any resultant damage, and provide details of any costs incurred to put this right.

[trackerjack]

Well done, name and shame

[GrahamFountain]

I'm confused. If Renold plc aren't connected with Rolon in anyway, what's this company info on the Renold India website mean?

"Renold plc and L. G. Balakrishnan & Bros (LGB) are pleased to announce the formation of a new Joint Venture company, Renold Chain India Pvt Ltd ("Renold India"), with effect from 12 September, 2008.

Renold India has acquired the assets and ongoing business activities of LGB's Industrial Chains Division (ICD). All key personnel associated with ICD have transferred to Renold India, and the new company will retain the Rolon brand name for all the industrial chain products formerly manufactured by LGB.

Renold plc is headquartered in the UK, and has been a leading global supplier of all types of industrial chain since it invented the bush roller chain in 1880. With 14 manufacturing locations around the world and sales representation in over 90 countries, this acquisition represents a further significant milestone in the Group's history. LGB has been manufacturing high quality chains for over 50 years, with equal dedication to excellence in product quality and customer service.

Renold India is therefore uniquely positioned to offer global experience and local expertise to meet the demands of the Indian market for technically superior products at competitive prices. In addition to the current range of high quality market leading chains produced by LGB, we will be adding a broad range of chain and power transmission products from the global operations of Renold Group that have not previously been available on the Indian market."

Graham

[Pippin]

I received the following prompt response from the CEO of Renold plc to my request for clarification:

"A little history may clear this up.

In 2008 Renold bought the industrial chain business of LGB in India. LGB as you may recall own and operate the Rolon brand and LGB kept all its automotive and motorcycle chain business which continues to operate under the Rolon name. LGB kept a small shareholding in the Renold India business but it is run and operated by Renold and integrated into our global supply chain operation. The industrial chain business operated under the Rolon name when it was bought but we transitioned it to Renold branded products and specifications. Therefore there was a brief time when you could buy Renold Rolon branded industrial chain in India only but that hasn't been the case for a considerable time. Renold does not have the right to use the Rolon name for any product in India or elsewhere.

I have looked at the link you sent me and whilst I can clearly see that it seems to be an old web page that I can access the Renold website from the reverse isn't true and I can't access the page from the Renold website. I need to talk to our IT team as to why this page still exists and where it sits as it should no longer be available to anyone. I will get it removed from whatever systems it is on.

I agree with your observation that this old page gives the impression that Rolon products are from Renold and so I can see where the confusion has arisen. I apologise for that.

I do thank you for raising the issue with me and I hope that I have cleared up any confusion. I will find the right contact at LGB and forward your issues to them so that they may be able to assist you further."

[trackerjack]

All this neatly shows why it is a good idea to be in a club because that is the only way you are going to find what parts are not to be trusted.
I have sold parts on Ebay and often the buyers are not in the club or have any contact.
They are the losers I think.
A certain supplier in the east of UK has often sold dubious parts that resemble OE but fall short in quality.