What does a failing chain tensioner sound like?
 

This weekend at the track, I was told that my car sounded like it had a failing chain tensioner. My car has sounded the same for a few years and I've had a couple shops look at it for other things. Hopefully they would have called it out if there was a problem. Is there a characteristic sound I can listen for?

The sound of a chain dragging across a housing through oil... Especially when cold...

Not being a wiseguy, that's what it is, and what it sounded like to me...

Imagine a chain being dragged across the lip of a metal trash can.

dragged rapidly, that is. Once you hear it, you'll never forget it. I was lucky. It wasn't my car...

So... raspy, tinny, clanky, continuous noise.

Strange, I mean it's a loud, air-cooled engine. I've got some valve noise but nothing I'd say sounds like this. What I guess I'm after is whether this is a subtle sound or it's a beat-you-over-the-head obvious kind of thing?

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It is a "beat you over the head" kind of sound.

My car has just been trailered away for what I think is chain tensioner failure. From the above descriptions it sounds exactly like described, it is unmistakable and will send a cold chill down your back. Not a sound I want to hear again.
I hope it doesn't turn out to be any major engine or valvetrain problem.

More rattling sound at lower revs; idle up to about 2000. Noise diminishes slightly as revs increase, but this depends on the degree of collapse.

Isolate the noise by using a stethoscope or long pipe against the chain box cover as the engine speed goes up and down.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Mine was most noticable when I was letting off the gas. Really rattled as the engine slowed...

Anyone have an audio file?

I can imagine this sound but can't say my car has any of these characteristics. I'll listen for it tonight.

You can also put the end of a long screw driver on the engine and put your ear on the handle to locate the noise.

I didnt need a screwdriver. Mine was loud and clear.

Re: What does a failing chain tensioner sound like?
 

$ Ching $ Ching $

Sounds like a cash register opening to take your money. http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/sad2.gif

Agree with Sherwood - sounded just awful at idle, but just about disappeared at 2000 rpm. Fortunately thru boards like this, once it started to happen, into the garage it went until the flat bed trailer showed.

Yeah, My car was idling, I walked to the mailbox and heard the "death rattle" from about 300 feet away. It sounds just like a chain being dragged out of a metal garbage can. One of my lower chain ramps had broken up too and the chain was dragging on the stud. Never forget that sound. Pushed it into the garage and waited for the Carrera kit to arrive. Easy job, change those chain ramps while your in there.