front cam chain guide - broken and floating

[mantramoto]

Bad news today.  After some horrible noises from the front of the engine I opened up the Steamer to find that the front cam chain guide has completely broken away and has fallen down between the chain and the engine block! The pin and plastic that once held it were found in that cover just floating around. I know this is very, very bad but wonder how much work is involved. I have heard anywhere from 4 to 9 hours from two different dealers??? It sounds like a very involved job that is more than likely over my head. Any experience out there with this?

Thanks in advnace.

[rybes]

ive done mine recently and from what i can remember the head has to come off.  its an easy enuff job if ya take ya time and read ya manual.

[JetdocX]

Your place or mine!  Glad to hear it's just a head removal.  I would need to get a good look at any other damage that may have been caused by the whipping cam chain, but it's probably just a gasket set for the head, cam chain and both guides.  

How are your valves?  Now is the time to do something about them if they are receeding.

[rybes]

all i hadf when i done mine was a small pile of hard rubber at the bottom of the timin chain run. apart from that was a nice easy job. as for timin chains whippin round. it dont do no damage t anythin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY_OcqboxHg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY_OcqboxHg)

thats the effects of a broken timin chain adjuster. once the adjuster was fixed was all ok  

[mantramoto]

Thanks guys! Jetdocx, thanks for the PM - I will order the parts.