Cam Chain auto-tensioner
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Southwest Florida
How did you determine that your cam chain tensioner was hosed?? The cam chain tensioner does not require that the timing chain cover be removed. I have a hard time seeing how this device could really go back unless the car had a billion miles on it. It's such a simple device....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Linden, VA (West by God)
I've had auto cam chain tensionsers fail on other cars 3rd gen RX7). Well, "fail" is the wrong word, but the cam chain noise became excessive. The tensioner just failed to hold the correct tension anymore for whatever reason.
The noise I'm hearing sounds somewhat like valve noise, but it's not in a steady rhythm that you'd hear with valves.
It's more along the lines of a "clack clack clack clack...... clack clack.... clack clack clack... etc".
It's very noticeable from inside the car, less so from outside it. Like I said, I did a valve adjustment just in case, and they were fine. The only other explanation I have for the noise is either (a) it's normal, or (b) it's the cam chain, and hence the tensioner. It's not piston slap either, which has a distinct sound (and I'd expect it to go away when warmed up). The sound in question is most noticeable at idle (in fact, I can't hear it any other time, which also leads me to believe it's the cam chain), and more noticeable when cold (first started), although it's also present when warm at idle.
You don't need to remove the timing chain cover to replace the tensioner. You just have to remove the tensioner cover, the tensioner itself (after using a set screw to remove the tension), and that's it. Installation is in the reverse order, although you use a pin to preload it when re-installing. If you buy a tensioner from Honda, these parts are included.
I don't suppose anyone knows what size allen wrench I need to remove the maintenance bolt used to remove the set pin? (if you've ever removed the tensioner, you'll know what I'm talking about).
Anyway, a new tensioner is only $100. It's cheap enough that I don't mind throwing a new one in in hopes that it'll fix the noise. Because if it doesn't, I'm out of ideas. And I'm back to either "it's normal" or something is seriously f'd.
The noise I'm hearing sounds somewhat like valve noise, but it's not in a steady rhythm that you'd hear with valves.
It's more along the lines of a "clack clack clack clack...... clack clack.... clack clack clack... etc".
It's very noticeable from inside the car, less so from outside it. Like I said, I did a valve adjustment just in case, and they were fine. The only other explanation I have for the noise is either (a) it's normal, or (b) it's the cam chain, and hence the tensioner. It's not piston slap either, which has a distinct sound (and I'd expect it to go away when warmed up). The sound in question is most noticeable at idle (in fact, I can't hear it any other time, which also leads me to believe it's the cam chain), and more noticeable when cold (first started), although it's also present when warm at idle.
You don't need to remove the timing chain cover to replace the tensioner. You just have to remove the tensioner cover, the tensioner itself (after using a set screw to remove the tension), and that's it. Installation is in the reverse order, although you use a pin to preload it when re-installing. If you buy a tensioner from Honda, these parts are included.
I don't suppose anyone knows what size allen wrench I need to remove the maintenance bolt used to remove the set pin? (if you've ever removed the tensioner, you'll know what I'm talking about).
Anyway, a new tensioner is only $100. It's cheap enough that I don't mind throwing a new one in in hopes that it'll fix the noise. Because if it doesn't, I'm out of ideas. And I'm back to either "it's normal" or something is seriously f'd.
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From: Drunk In Da Pub
I have the exact same sound as you heffer, and it is prevelant in the same scenario. Some have suggested it is normal rocker noise, I put my head everywhere on the timing area and cannot hear it, but can hear it more distinctly when I put my head right in the middle of the valve cover, try that and see what happens. When those people are saying it will take more than 1/2 hour to replace the tensioner, I think they mean the pre-tensioner in the middle of the chain, not the cam auto-tensioner which is just a pull-out piston type deal. Heffer, I have been told those tensioners either work or they dont, and if they werent working, youd REALLY know, not sure if that is true but just something to share.
