Tensioner oil flow

3.2 CAB · 09-14-2004, 04:06 PM

I started my engine without the chain covers on it. I did this in order to see what was going on in there when it was running. I was trying to verify if the right side tensioner has failed or is failing. Does anyone know how much oil these tensioners are supposed to be squirting? Are they supposed to be squirting oil out. When at idle, you can see oil flowing out from the part inbetween the piston and the mounting stud hole, looks like it has a little nipple or hat in the middle of it, if you rev it up oil will squirt out of that area 6-8 inches, is this copious amount of oil flow normal, or is something wrong here, the left side bacically just oozes. The right side probably had 10 times the oil pouring out of the tensioner than the left.

I tried to post the picture, but got GTI timed out?and also only gif or jpeg only file error message.

3.2 CAB · 09-14-2004, 07:48 PM

Here is a picture of where there is major oil flow. This is a picture I saw on another thread. Where the little hat or nipple looking part is between the piston and the idler mount/ tensioner stud in center of picture. This is where a lot of oil is squirting from the tensioner. Is this supposed to be a high oil flow area? Hope this helps.

yelcab1 · 09-14-2004, 08:08 PM

That is the check valve, it is functioning correctly when oil just oozes out. if oil is squirting out, then you got no "valve" which will not let the oil pressure in the tensioner build up to the correct level and your chain will not be at the tight tension. Let me guess, the right chain is making noise, right?

aigel · aigel's Garage

What Yelcab said. There is no need for oil spraying out of that valve.

George

3.2 CAB · 09-15-2004, 04:10 AM

Thank you both for responding, I didn't know what that part was, but it must be defective, because there is very heavy oil flowing out of it when idling, and when you rev up the engine oil will actually squirt out of the top of it 6-8 inches. I never saw one of these in operation before, I took the covers off to check why I was getting the chain noise in the right side, but I could see no drag marks in the case anywhere. Is this like a by-pass valve or something on that line? Any other comments would be greatly appreciated, that way I can learn more about the function of these tensioners. Thanks again.

RoninLB · 09-15-2004, 08:32 AM

there is a rebuilder who uses washers under the piston.
It was posted. I forgot who it was ?

aigel · aigel's Garage

To the best of my humble knowledge, that valve bleeds oil only very slightly, to allow the tensioner to contract and any air that may get into the system to bleed out. Take this one with a grain of salt though, it's been a while.

Jerry Woods does a modification to the late tensioner internals to limit travel, just like the safety collars used to do on the earlier tensioners. He does this on all his engine builds. The lat tensioners do not have a spot to bolt an external collar, hence they are limited internally.

George

RoninLB · 09-15-2004, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aigel

Jerry Woods does a modification to the late tensioner internals to limit travel,

Thanks George.

3.2 CAB · 09-19-2004, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the responses, I have been busy with the clean up and repairs from IVAN coming thru. So, am I to conclude that the tensioner is bad due to the massive amount of oil flow from the area circled in the picture? The left side does not have anywhere near the amount of oil flowing from it. Also, would you not replace both sides being they have been there the same app. 60,000 miles with the same wear and tear on them?

How about your opion, WAYNE?