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Gelbster · 10-16-2016, 06:57 PM

The plastic pads start out being a yellowish color when new. With heat cycling and dirty oil they become dark brown. By then they become brittle. The chains wear grooves in the brittle pads(the debris you are finding) and when the pad disintegrates - so does your engine -because the tensioner cannot accommodate the slack in the chain and the aluminum base on steel chain combo is rather destructive.
If you get to the pads before they disintegrate, you will probably break them when you try to gently remove them.Yes, they are that brittle and fragile.By contrast the new replacement pads snap on/off easily.
The timing of the pad replacement really depends on how well you understand the risk of needing a replacement engine....
There are a few 'while you are in there' jobs to consider also.
Wayne/Pelican have a good write-up.

10-16-2016, 06:57 PM	#6
Gelbster Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: S.California Posts: 2,027	The plastic pads start out being a yellowish color when new. With heat cycling and dirty oil they become dark brown. By then they become brittle. The chains wear grooves in the brittle pads(the debris you are finding) and when the pad disintegrates - so does your engine -because the tensioner cannot accommodate the slack in the chain and the aluminum base on steel chain combo is rather destructive. If you get to the pads before they disintegrate, you will probably break them when you try to gently remove them.Yes, they are that brittle and fragile.By contrast the new replacement pads snap on/off easily. The timing of the pad replacement really depends on how well you understand the risk of needing a replacement engine.... There are a few 'while you are in there' jobs to consider also. Wayne/Pelican have a good write-up. Last edited by Gelbster; 10-16-2016 at 06:59 PM.