Pretty Technical Question

[Graberhieny]

I have a question for the senior members here. This question is regarding the timing chain tensioner. I was told that the timing chain tensioner that is located behind the one of the access covers is oil driven. How exactly is it oil driven, or in other words how does it work? I have googled-it but I had no luck. And I sorry if this is a repeat question, but I cannot understand that it means that it is oil driven.

By the way: am planning on replacing it in the summer.

Thanks,Keyur Patel

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I not a "senior member" ---- in fact this is only my second post .......but this is one I know from my own experience.......

The tensioner is "oil driven" in the fact that is is a small plunger in housing that gets oil pressure behind the plunger, pushing tenion against the chain.

If, for whatever reason, you have to remove or loosen the chain, make note that there is a retainer hole in the housing to keep the plunger pushed back while you remove the chain. Push the plunger in a as far as it will go and insert a small pin through the hole. Make sure you "feel it" going into the plunger, not just the housing. The plunger will then stay in place......believe me, I learned this the hard way by dropping the plunger down inside the timimg cover while doing a water pump and had to pull off the oil pan and use a piece of coat hanger and a magnet to retrieve it!

[Graberhieny]

Thanks for the reply. I was trying to figure out how that part worked and never understood the principles behind it. Now that you have explained it to me it makes a lot of sense.

Regarding the "plunger" shooting out I know hassle of getting it out. I got lucky when I was changing the water pump and it fell down in the timing chain case. I was able to push a flexible telescoping magnet down there and pull it out.

Once again thanks for the response.Keyur Patel