Collapsed Chain Tensioner Diagnosis

[socalty]

1982 911 SC (Stock Tensioners)

Symptoms: The car began making loud valvish noises on the right side (4-6). Sound seemed to be coming from the timing cover and not the valve cover. In addition the car was running very rough and I was also able to determine that the removing any one of the right side spark plugs didn't make the engine run significantly worse.

Diagnosis: I pulled off the timing cover and although the chain still had tension, I was able to pushed the compressed side of the tensioner (spring) down with one finger. I assume that is not correct and that this is a bad tensioner that needs to be replaced.

Please help. Thanks.

[Zef]

Your chain seem very near of the top...any other greater pic of the area...

[Drago]

If you can push it down with your finger it's shot.

New ones require big-ass channel locks to compress them.

[socalty]

Drago, Thanks for the confirmation of my diagnosis.

Zef, can you please elaborate? Do you think the chain may be hitting the housing? I can take a picture of whatever you'ld like.

Anyone, I will go with the Pressure Fed Tensioners, however, I am curious why some racers use mechanical but they are not recommended for a daily driver?

[dtw]

Compression check time

[socalty]

Why, because of fear of valve putting a hole in the top of the piston?

Broken heads studs mandated a complete top end less than a year ago by the previous owner so it would be a bummer. I wished he had sprung for the tensioner upgrade at that time.