Chain tensioners

[Norm01]

I rebuilt me chain tensioners (hydraulic, not pressure fed) with new kits and followed the instructions and blead them properly. Once rebuilt, I can push the cylinder in with strong thumb force for about 1/4" and then I need Tools. Does this sound right or should they be extremely stiff from the get go.

[bigel]

Sounds like not enough force on the tensioner if you can compress with your thumb.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Norm01

... Once rebuilt, I can push the cylinder in with strong thumb force for about 1/4" and then I need Tools...

How big are you Ti-Père? Laurel or Hardy

[john walker's workshop]

Bleed it more. You're not done yet. BTW, how did you bleed it?

[Norm01]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Bleed it more. You're not done yet. BTW, how did you bleed it?

I bleed it in a small bucket of oil with the drain port open and closed the port while it was still in the oil. I saw a video last night to have the port closed and just add oil to the top near the shaft and keep pumping, does this sound right.

[john walker's workshop]

before you install the aluminum disc, you will see two holes either side of the plunger shaft. use a very small wire, like on a key tag and poke it into one of the holes to dislodge the check ball. fill the reservoir with oil and slowly pump the plunger a few times. remove the wire and see if the plunger is solid. if not, bleed more. next, with the reservoir about half full, tilt the tensioner in a vise so the bleed screw is angled upward about 45 degrees, loosen the screw a couple of turns and push in the aluminum disc, the air in the reservoir should exit the bleed screw as the disc is pushed down. tighten the screw. my guess is you didn't use the wire.

[Norm01]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

before you install the aluminum disc, you will see two holes either side of the plunger shaft. use a very small wire, like on a key tag and poke it into one of the holes to dislodge the check ball. fill the reservoir with oil and slowly pump the plunger a few times. remove the wire and see if the plunger is solid. if not, bleed more. next, with the reservoir about half full, tilt the tensioner in a vise so the bleed screw is angled upward about 45 degrees, loosen the screw a couple of turns and push in the aluminum disc, the air in the reservoir should exit the bleed screw as the disc is pushed down. tighten the screw. my guess is you didn't use the wire.

John, please don't make me open these again. I still have my two eyes and sanity. Is there an option B

[Norm01]

Ok, just did this and they are hard as rock now. I could not find instructions on the net to rebuild so I put them back together the way I took them apart and now question if they were put together properly when I got them.

John, on the top section I had the aluminum disc with shoulder facing up, then spring, then top collar and circlip. I'm thinking this is wrong as it does not leave an upper oïl reservoir. Is the correct order: spring, aluminum disc, top collar and circlip. Does the higher shoulder on the aluminum disc face out or in towards the body. If you have a IPL or PDF to post that would be great.

[Norm01]

Here is a picture of how I took it apart.

[john walker's workshop]

aluminum disc shoulder upward, spring, sheet metal disc, circlip. there is no upper reservoir, just what's under the aluminum disc and there hopefully is no air in there.

[Norm01]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

aluminum disc shoulder upward, spring, sheet metal disc, circlip. there is no upper reservoir, just what's under the aluminum disc and there hopefully is no air in there.

John, first off thanks for all the help, much appreciated. So I had it set up right however I am unclear as what the upper reservoir does as it would seem empty with very little oil.

So if I get this right, I now have the bottom section blead, I now fill the top reservoir half full, install the aluminum plunger, point the drain upwards, open it and push the plunger until it bottoms and expels the air leaving a little oil, close blead. Add spring, top cap and clip? Is the main plunger out at this point or fully depressed?

[john walker's workshop]

i don't quite bottom out the aluminum disc. when air stops bubbling out of the bleeder screw, that's enough. the plunger would be fully extended of course.

[Norm01]

Thanks John, got them rebuilt. I set the top edge of the aluminum disc flush with the groove on the housing where the bottom of the top cap sits. This seems perfect and leaves the maximum of oil in the top reservoir. And you were right, needed to bleed the bottom reservoir more. The tensioners are now extremely stiff.