Someone please tell me there is a better way to getting this damn tensioner removed? I tried threading the bolt into this just like it says, however all the tensioner does now is spin in circles and won't pull off the block?? Just wanna finish this head gasket and get the car going but this thing is pissing me off, advice please

 

I believe you can open the acess hole and pry it from that side. But it should just pop out with a little bit of prying.

 

Take the Allen plug out. Pry through this hole. Tct will come out super easy.

 

Thanks for the help. I just followed the manual and it actually worked it didn't really specify but I couldn't figure it out. For future reference, take a m5x.80 by 40 size bolt and thread a nut in the end with a washer. Put in that bigger hole of the tensioner hole and turn tight, when you feel it stop keep turning it about 20 threads then tighten the extra bolt and then remove the 2 bolts for the tensioner and pry it off

 

Also you'll notice when tightening if your doing it right. Spin it about 10 times after you feel it get tight and when you remove your socket it will spin back letting you know you are putting the correct amount of tension on it

 

Yet another bad procedure in the manual

Remove bolts, remove allen plug (you need to anyway to re-install) and just put light pressure on the TCT and it will pop right out. Use the bolt later on the bench for re-install, where you can work freely.

Prying on the TCT in other ways mars up the surface and prevents it from sitting flat against the head.