Been following this for quite some time. Glad to hear that you had some help to get it figured!

Im going to have a cigarette and I dont even smoke

Fred is the bomb!! That's my Targa that he's doing the engine rebuild on. Congrats on getting your problem sorted.

Glad you figured it out....

I've found the Porsche community to be just like Fred -- roll up the sleeves and "How can I help"...

I'd have a whole lot less (interesting) cars (and less interesting stories) had there not been the forums and subsequent local Porsche greasers around.....

cheers,

Mike

Carrera tensioner install update........
 

It was decided to replace both Carrera hydraulic tensioners and replacement parts ordered from Pelican parts. I was informed by PP Sales that the tensioners would be arriving August 22 (Friday) of last week. On Saturday (August 23), FedEx rang my door bell and left a note. By the time I opened my door, the delivery guy was driving away from my house. I have been waiting for this important package and another delay.

Called the FedEx about the DTN (door tag number) and asked if they could contact the driver for me to get the package. I was told they have no contact with the driver. So I asked which FedEx Depot could I go to pick up the package? Since I did not have a tracking number only a DTN tracking the package was not that simple.

So I asked when is the next scheduled delivery and was told on Tuesday. Why Tuesday? How about Monday? FedEx does not do residential delivery on Monday (Tue. to Sat.). I waited on next delivery because signature was required for package valued more than $500 according to PP sales guy.

To make the story short, got the package on Tuesday and installed them the following day (Wednesday) but ran out of time to do a test run. Today (Thursday), I was ready for the test run. Disconnected the CDI and removed the FP relay and cranked the engine several times to lubricate the engine and primed the tensioners. I was a little bit anxious to hear the sound of the engine.

The knocking noise from bank 1-2-3 was gone!!!!!! But what was that noise coming from? Bank 4-5-6 was making aloud rattling noise that was not there before. I removed the chain housing cover for bank 4-5-6 to do another inspection. This could not be another failed tensioner because it is new. Just a few minutes old.

Removed the chain housing cover and looked directly at the newly installed Carrera tensioner. It has failed and collapsed!!!!! After removing the tensioner, I could press the piston with my fingers. A sure sign of a bad tensioner. What have I done to deserve all this punishment and frustration.

To get over my frustration and disappointment, I went over to the other section of my garage and retrieved an used/old Carrera tensioner from another engine I am rebuilding and installed it on this 'stubborn motor'. With a new tensioner on the left side and a borrowed old tensioner on the right side, cranking the engine (not running) produced the sweetest sound I've been longing for a long long time. End of story.

Moral of the story: Fresh from the box expensive parts are defective. Who are making these products any way? Would Pelican parts replace these defective products? Only time will tell.

Now, I could go to bed and sleep well. The culprit is now identified and just another work
day tomorrow.

Tony

Picture of the old and new hydraulic tensioners......
 

Forgot to post the picture of the hydraulic tensioners .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1469763121.jpg

If these new Carrera hydraulic tensioners are really this bad, how long do we expect them to last compared to my 20-year old hydraulic tensioners purchased before the advent of the Internet.

Tony

Incredible. Moral of story - assume nothing. Could have been a lot worse.
Tony - tried to PM you last week - on 930 FD supply line. Your PM inbox was full.
New piston rings these days are already beyond spec at install. Almost better to keep the old ones in.
Things ain't what they used to be.
Regards
Alan

These oil fed tensioners are an enigma for sure.

How is the air bled out?

Just put them in and hope they work?

Porsche says if you can depress the plunger while prying with a screwdriver, replace it, it is defective?

I have a thread about them here, maybe what you learned can be added.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/914119-carrera-tensioner-questions.html

When you got the new tensioners did you prime them first? I got a new one from pelican, put it in a bowl of oil, and pulled the pin. It sucked in oil as it extended. I compressed it, installed the pin, and repeated the cycle a couple of times. Ran fine

This is why I use freshly rebuilt 930 tensioners with collars.

+1......This is my preference, as well.

regards,
al

can al or kenikh post a pic and p/n of such tensioners you recommend... thx

Yes, purty please :D

FWIW, I had the same symptoms when I installed these awhile back (actually years ago) - one tensioner would not accept oil under cranking pressure, and it had been awhile since purchsed. Here's what luckily worked:

Remove the bleed screw (plug) from the body, then introduce shop air pressure into the opening. I heard a rush of air, then felt the internal ball valve move into position. I reinstalled the tensioner, primed the engine and the plunger pressurized as designed. It's been fine for 15 years.

Or.... since you just acquired them, try the above and if unsuccessful, return it for a replacement tensioner.

Sherwood

Sherwood

930 tensioners w/collars
 

Found these pix by googling...Not too much to see here.....just standard 930 hydraulic tensioners with safety collars.........(hydra-stops).


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1469820935.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1469821346.jpg

regards,
al

My tensioners needs to be replaced - can the 930 tensioners be fitted to an 87 car, if so are there any downsides?

The 930 tensioner so are still expensive, then you need new oil lines and chain covers.
There shouldn't be any problem with the Carrera tensioners, I think Tony bought all the defective ones......
Bruce

lol

Bruce,

I totally disagree with your statement. I think I got one (1) good one (knock on wood) and a bad unit. Remember, I was just cranking the engine and have not run it long enough to say that the Carrera hydraulic tensioners are satisfactorily good and acceptable. With all the bad lucks and unforgivable blunders I was having with this rebuild, I have not lost faith because all of you guys were behind me and giving moral support except for a weird individual.

The good news today is that Pelicanparts has advised me to contact their Customer Service to replace this failed unit. I will keep my finger crossed and hope to get a good one this time. Thanks.

Tony

Thanks Bruce - only asking as this would be the 2nd pair of replacement tensioners to be fitted to my car so looking for a more long term solution