Tensioner Preload
 

I'm disassembling a 3.0 engine [1st time] and am removing the tensioners. This engine has the pressure-fed type. It seems to me that the tensioner must be compressed in order to disengage the idler sprocket from the chain, however when I apply a load against the piston, there's no movement.

Before I excert a Shock n' Aw F__k on the case, how much load does it to overcome the preload spring?

They require a substantial amount of steady force (sometimes) when they haven't bled out of the bleed hole. Once bled, they should be somewhat soft. This often causes confusion as one tensioner may feel stiff and the other not so stiff, which leads people to believe one is defective when it's not.

Simply pull out the tensioner, and it will snap out when it clears the idler arm. If you are not tearing down your engine, make sure that you keep tension on your chain *at all times*.

-Wayne

Thanks Wayne

Got both off by inserting prybar tip between arm and tensioner and twisting.