Quote:
Originally Posted by mojoluthier
I recently changed my IMS bearing/Clutch/seals in my newly acquired '02 S at 100k, right here in my dirt floored garage, but not before I built an inch and an eighth 8' x 16' wooden floor in it. The IMS bearing was in perfect condition as it turned out, but I will sleep better knowing.
When I backed out the two tensioners in my 5 chain engine, the right side one had to be removed as it held serious tension all the way out, the left hand side (IMS tensioner) had no tension on it at all and I backed it out perhaps 4 turns. Now I am losing sleep over the tensioners as it seems unlikely that no tension is right. I do hear a rhythmic (about a 1 second cycle with a definite peak in it) rattling at idle when the engine is hot only, and it doesn't seem to be loose external parts. Is a new tensioner liable to fix this? There is no oil leak at any tensioner, and though I read plenty about replacing them, there is little on why.
This car runs great, by the way. My only reference has been 101 tips and this forum.
Thank you in advance.
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The hydraulic chain tensioners work similar to hydraulic valve lifters & have some of the tightest clearances in your engine (less than .001"). So they are a likely part to get clogged with debris carried in the oil. Replacing the tensioners 1 at a time often cures internal engine noises, but if I am understanding your description correctly it maybe valve lifter noise.