timing tensioner problem

[jamesblonde82]

i decided to go ahead and take the lower timing chain guard off the upper timing chain, and have already taken the upper guard off my DOHC KA engine. im replacing the starter and decided to just do this all at once. anyway, how important is it to make the engine TDC (top dead center) to remove the distributor? and my upper chain tensioner seems to be stuck out putting a lot of tension on the chain and i can't seem to push in inwards. my engine makes that loud rattling noise associated with the guards on these engine, but my upper one is off already so im hoping this lower one will be it. but im also confused because the tensioner seems to have plenty tension on it. could it also be the lower chain tensioner? ugh i hope not cuz i would have to drain oil, coolant, remove a lot of stuff. thanks in advance guys. and yes ive read the write-up about this, but it doesnt cover what im asking.

[Nav 4X4]

I just did my chain on my 24e engine, is all good now, Im suspecting the oil gallery leading to the tewnsioner, I ve got a feeling they may gunk up with congeiled oil and bits which restricts oil flow.

[180fan]

Very. unless you want a nightmare later on when you're trying to get it to time right.

The upper one tensioner:remove the tensioner for the time being, tighten it down and put the pin to keep it off the chains for now. You may have to put the chain on the middle sprocket and work the chain over the cam sprockets and then thread the bolt for the middle sprocket on if that makes any sense. pull the pin on the upper tensioner and make sure all the punchmarks are on the proper links.