Finally some real tensioner noise

Kurt B · 10-27-2001, 02:12 PM

Just for the paranoiacs out there. I heard this on my car for the very first time today. This is a terrible sound. You can hear it from inside the car, it's like taking a big heavy chain and slap dragging it across a the lip of something a 2x2 or whatever. It is a little dull, not pingy like metal on metal, but like a chain on the plastic ramps. But it is so loud and so horrible sounding, there is no mistaking it.

I assume one of my tensioners' spring failed, and now it's only using pressure (or I assume that's how they work, with both spring and pressure) because it went away after a few seconds...ugh. This means I'll be doing the tensioners tomorrow...still have some I ordered from Pelican several months ago.

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1984 Rockin' Cab
www.geocities.com/carrera_cabriolet

[This message has been edited by Kurt B (edited 10-27-2001).]

rstoll · 10-27-2001, 02:58 PM

Change those ramps while you're in there.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

Early_S_Man · 10-27-2001, 03:39 PM

Yep, that's one noise you will never forget! Kind of sent chills up your spine, right?

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

rstoll · 10-27-2001, 04:15 PM

I rate it right up there with the dentist's drill.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

makaio · 10-27-2001, 06:54 PM

Kurt,
I have a set of brand new in the plastic chain rails if you want them. I bought them when I did my tensioner update, only to find that the original owner had new chains and ramps installed. Make me an offer. Ther're just sitting in my tool box.

And installing new tensioners is a brease. Just time consuming removing everything.

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Matt Chamblin
78 911 SC

Kurt B · 10-27-2001, 07:24 PM

I have ramps and stuff, so I don't need em thanks.
I have everything in a box just waiting to be installed. I'll probably take a look under there tomorrow morning and see what it's going to take. I've had the covers off before, but to replace the tensioners...different story, I f@ck something up, and it'll be the same as damage done by driving them this way...

Superman · 10-27-2001, 08:14 PM

The two big disasters to avoid as I see it are letting a chain skip a tooth and dropping a ramp into the case. If you make sure there is always tension on the chain, and you don't drop a ramp, you'll have a 100% success.

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'83 SC

83SC in PA · 10-27-2001, 09:31 PM

Just pulled my cam covers off today to check the ramps due to plastic bits in the screen and drain pan after changing the oil(Thanks, RSTOLL). Well, the tensioners had been replaced at some point with turbo tensioners and the right side tensioner was completely shot. The metal seal was popped out and only half the material was there - the spring was showing. The only noise I had detected was a slight rattle when cold which lasted a minute or so before going away. No 'chain across garbage can noise'. I shudder to think of what might have been and I'm very thankful I just bought the Carrera tensioner kit from Pelican. Should be good as new by Monday morning.

john walker's workshop · 10-28-2001, 11:55 AM

set the engine to #1 TDC before removing tensioners. the cams will stay put there, unless you try to turn them. out with the bad tooth, in with the good one. easy.

john70t · 10-29-2001, 01:33 AM

Any way to prime them before install?

john walker's workshop · 10-29-2001, 08:40 AM

priming is generally not needed, but you can use a pump style oil can with a rubber hose on the nozzle to flow oil thru them. if you had an old metal feed line with the banjo fitting, you could cut it and attach the hose to it for a more positive feed.