Help... Tensioner Job Gone Bad?

[deathkeeper]

Here is what I have done so far in an attempt to ungum my timing chain tensioners.

I removed the valve cover, distributor (marked the timing at TDC), and front timing cover. The cam timing was the marked just incase the chain skipped a gear when removing the tensioner. I then removed the upper timing chain tensioner. It was so gummed up, that it was stuck it the fully extended position (pushing fully against the chain). I cleaned it using Rislone until it was clean and could be sprung up and down. The same was done to the lower without taking it off. After putting the upper tensioner back on, it would no longer put full tension on the chain without oil pressure, because it was no longer gummed up in that position. (I assumed this was normal). Everything was put back together and torqued as per the FSM.

It cranks, and I imediately get the sound of both chains SCRAPING on EVERY guide! I shut it off no longer than 1 second after cranking.

Do I just need to let it idle and get the oil pressure back into the cleaned tensioners? I am afraid to crank it up, because of the possibility of it skipping tooths on the cam gears with no tension, and the pistons slamming into the valves.

Please help.

[BadMojo]

I only replaced my upper tensioner, but I primed it by submerging it in oil and then releasing the little pin to let the tensioner suck in the oil.

I didn't get any unusual noise when I first started up. I *would* be wary of cranking the motor if indeed both of those tensioners are doing nothing. As you said, the prospect of the chain jumping a few teeth isn't a good one.

Exactly what is Rislone, BTW, and how did you clean your lower tensioner?

[Ubernoober]

Pull the coil wire and crank till oil pressure comes up. The engine will do no damage to anything around the chain at this speed. If the scraping does not go away once oil pressure is up, you need to do further diagnosis and find the problem.

It can take surprisingly long for oil to fully circulate in an engine, particularly into areas that have restriction galleys in them.

[BadMojo]

I did prime my oil pump before I started my car when I did the tensioner. Still, I didn't have any unusual noise at any time during the whole procedure.

[deathkeeper]

UPDATE: I primed the oil pump by cranking it with the coil removed for 30 seconds in 10 second intervals.

This stopped the grinding on the lower guide. Once it got up to operating temperature, the upper chain began slapping the top of the valve cover continuously (I used the screw driver technique). At least I now only have a problem with the upper chain. Even after through cleaning, I think my upper tensioner is shot. It is not springing back on the chain with enough force to keep it tightened, causing it to just flap around. I am going to go to Autozone and get a new one either later today or tomorrow.

[deathkeeper]

Rislone is a oil additive to remove sludge. It is not as harsh as other engine flushes.

I cleaned the lower tensioner by pumping it in and out (about 40 times in total) while dumping a little Rislone directly on it.