Sulaco

Looking for tips before I begin. Do I need to be TDC? Any crucial tips before I ruin my heads?

Is it really just remove and replace?

Ausmbtech

Position engine at 40deg BTDC, disconnect battery, take drivebelt off alternator, remove alternator (loosen bottom bolt and remove top bolt and move it out of the way, it's easier) then just remove and replace the tensioner. Don't over tighten it.

jgro1976

How critical is this job? How often should this be done? Is it as easy as it sounds?

Ausmbtech

No need to do it unless there is issue with it (rattling chain usually), but it's not a normal maintenance item.

benzslo

Yeah, no reason to do this really. I have never seen one of these chains skip teeth, break, etc, not one. Sometimes they're noisy but then you'd be best replacing the gears too which the plastic wears off. Then you're talking removing engine, removing the timing cover, oil pan, etc, all for a little noise.

Sulaco

ugh. Loud and definite chain rattle on mine. I only decided to buy a new tensioner because of people here telling me I was on the verge of jumping a tooth and killing my otherwise healthy engine.

benzslo

You could pop in a tensioner, thats very easy to replace. I wouldn't count on it fixing any noise though.

Sulaco

did the job today. old one was in exactly the same shape as the new one. it looked like it wasn't that old, actually. it was a Febi, identical to my new one. same length, same tension. I put it back in. i'll be keeping the other one as a spare (I have 2 C43's anyway).

so looks like my chain rattle is a chain or a guide...

Pagz

I'm not too sure how well the tensioner is ment to hold oil?, but the original one I removed recently didnt hold oil at all, once compressed it shot straight out around the seal, I assume it will leak somewhat but maybe not this much?. Could lack of oil pressure add to the chain noise?.

The oil pump chain has very little tension,would it cause some noise as the tensioner guide wears or the chain stretches?.

Sulaco

My old one was in there TIGHT. I had to use a breaker bar to get it loose. I did NOT tighten it near as much when I put it back on, for fear of damaging my aluminum enging block. However, it was holding oil before and isn't leaking afterward. Did you use the metal o ring that came with it? That's what it's there for.

And what's this about the oil pump chain tensioner? Where is this part?

I'm 99% sure my rattling is my timing chain, because it's very loudly pronounced in the front of the engine when idling. The car just crossed 270k miles and still performs better than factory spec, but has that noticeable chain rattle that's scaring me to death. What if it jumps a tooth? Not every day you see such an old car with so many miles still performing like a dream. My 99 with 270k will run circles around my 98 with 190k miles!