Chain Tensioner on 944S rebuild vs. replace
 

I have decided that I am going to take care of my neglected chain tensioner 162000km.

What I want to know are two things:

Should I change the white PADS or the whole thing?

Should I replace the chain or is that not a big deal?

Ahh like any good question the answer is: "it depends"

the tensioner itself should be eplaced every 90K miles or so. it is a hydraulic\mechanical part and will fail eventually. If you have records of a recent tensioner change, then just change the feet. Otherwise, change the tensioner.

Chain - don't really have to as long as it isn't damaged to stretched too much. If it makes you feel better, change it.

Check the sprockets on the camshafts for damage\cracking

AFJuvat

I decided to change the whole assembly because I couldn't find the bottom pad (I don't think it is available). It doesn't wear nearly as much as the top pad, but it will still get brittle with time. I found out when I got in there that my tensioner was not quite right anyway - I could not compress it for removal.

The question these days seems to be whether or not to replace the J-tube. I didn't (it's ~$100, believe it or not). Mine looked looked shiny and new, but who knows. Better off changing it I guess.