I was wondering if anyone has had to replace their cam chain tensioner. My engine is still making a rather loud knocking at idle, almost like valve noise, but I've done the valves and they were all very close to or within spec.

My next suspicion is the cam chain rattling around when it isn't under much load (i.e. at idle), and hence the tensioner.

It looks like it's easy enough to remove without having to take anything else off the motor to get to it (it sits right at the front of the motor on the block... duh, guess where the cam chain is).

Assuming it isn't rebuildable, any idea what a new one costs?

 

check the helms manual... there is a trouble shoot procedure you can do.....
Beroz

 

Lovely... except I don't have a Helms manual. I do have the Honda service manual however, and it doesn't indicate any test procedures for the tensioner, or if it does, I can't find it.

 

look for auto tensionar in the index...if you can't find it then look for Vtec solinoid and it should be right after that...
Beroz

 

I think we're looking at different manuals. There are plenty of section in the service manual about installing/removing the tensioner, but nothing about servicing it.

 

heffer, I am curious to see if replacing the cam chain tensioner helps the problem, are there times when it is more audible than others or is it always the same i.e cold, warm etc?, is it a random tick/tap sound, or is it in rythym?

 

also, I had someone look at where it is on the motor and they said its very simple to replace, not sure if that is true or not but if it is easy then why not just do it?

 

I replaced mine but it was because i broke it

I mean you can pop the valve cover off and if its tight right up against the chain I dont see it being the auto tensioner unless your chain is badly worn down...

 

replacing it should take more than 1/2 hour....

 

true, however you have to drop the oil pan to ensure a good silicone seal on the timing cover.