How to check Carrera Tensioners

[Fishcop]

Hi Guys

I just picked up a 2nd hand Carrera Update Kit. Are there any checks I can make to ensure all is okay, or do I just "suck it and see"?

Thanks

[sundaypunch]

I don't think there is an awful lot you can do. Some people fabricate spacers that go inside the tensioner under the piston. I guess this works similar to the safety collar on an old style tensioner to prevent a total collapse. I've done a lot of searches and it's not well documented here.

I would make sure all the o-rings look fine and also be ready to replace your chain ramps and idler sprockets while you are in there.

[Fishcop]

Cheers, I have also been looking for an article on how thisshimming is done... Have put in brand new ramps, intermediate sprockets and idler sprockets.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Fishcop
Cheers, I have also been looking for an article on how thisshimming is done... .

yep, I could use a blow by blow description on that.
and if I had 2nd hand tensioners I'd probably prime them with 10w.. then lean on each piston and see how each leaks down. I did this on new and have some idea of how to judge.. personally I'd only do the install if they both looked very good, not good enough.. at least see if they're equal.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Kind of along these same lines... I was replacing my cam chain cover gaskets today because they were leaking very badly. PO didn't scrape the old gasket material off before installing new gaskets. I noticed the the left tensioner was not screwed on all the way and the nut was about to fall off! I don't know how long it was like this, but I felt lucky that I chose to replace those gaskets. Now I'm going to worry about those nuts comming off all the time. Should I put some loctite on there, or will they stay on with proper torqued nuts?

[sundaypunch]

I would think they should stay on if properly torqued. I would still use a bit of threadlock on them.