timing chain tensioner question

[Guest Anonymous]

Does the timing chain tensioner have a mechanical locking device, or does it work by simple spring tension?

Thanks, Brian

[Guest Anonymous]

The spring doesn't do much, it's the oil pressure that provides most of the tension.

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

ireland engineering makes one that's mechanical

[Guest Anonymous]

I've only heard of this by word of mouth, haven't seen it in the manuals:

1. Warm up engine.

2. Remove valve cover.

3. Using a long screwdriver, push the tensioner shoe back into the cylinder. You may see bubbles rising in the pool of oil that is just above the tensioner. The oil pool is there to keep air out of the cylinder. It works like the trap on your bathroom sink drain.

4. Put the valve cover back on and drive away.

I've gone ahead and done this to each of the 3 '02s I've had. Only the last one had actually had it done before, i.e., no air came out of the cylinder.

--Jerry '72tii

[Guest Anonymous]

The oil is there for damping, like in a shock absorber, rather than to hold pressure against the chain. Basically, for the piston to move the oil has to flow through a restrictor in piston, which slows the movement of the piston and the rail so it doesn't slap back and forth against the chain.

Matt

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

Like Matt S. stated, it's not fed oil under pressure, the oil is just there to dampen the travel on the piston from the chain force.

One other note is this oil for the tensioner is stagnate -- it does not get drained & renewed as does oil in the sump. How old is the oil in your tensioner? The tensioner does get gummed up and lose effectiveness. The front engine cover has a "pocket" where this oil is held for the tensioner. Next time you can get access to it, flush it out with clean oil.

[Guest Anonymous]

It's in the factory Repair Manual.

[Guest Anonymous]

timing chain tensioner. If your engine ever turned backwards (either from backing it up while in gear setting your valves) or even a bad run-on after turning it off, the gear would jump a tooth and f**k things up pretty thoroughly.

FWIW,

John N

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

Struggling to remove the chain tensioner bolt which screws into the tensioner housing in my '02 ?

Just been trying to unscrew it by turning anticlockwise - am I doing something wrong ?

Cheers folks,

Nick

[Guest Anonymous]

righty tighty , your on the right track unless your calling from DownUnder in RooLand ? then it's reverzed. (?!) It should just unscrew . Have another rib and gulp of Fosters - then try again.