I can't say whether or not your old one can still be retracted and re-used, so you're going to have to be the judge on this one.
You must determine if your existing tensioner can still be retracted properly. Do this:
1. Remove the end cover from the tensioner while it's still installed on the engine. Then you remove the bolt looking thing that has a slotted head (they call it a "nozzle").
2. Thread a nut onto a 5 X 0.8mm bolt, then thread the bolt into the maintenance hole in the tensioner.
3. Turn the bolt clockwise to compress the timing chain atuo-tensioner, and lock the bolt with the nut.
4. Now remove the tensioner from the side of the engine.
5. Make sure the tensioner is retracted enough so that you can insert a setpin (P/N 14511-PCX-005) to hold the tensioner in place.
6. With the setpin in place, you can now remove the bolt from the maintenance hole. Install the O-ring (new one if old one no good), then install the "nozzle" and end cover plate.
7. Install the tensioner into the cylinder head with new O-rings
8. Remove the maintenance bolt from the cylinder head. This is the bolt that is on the front of the cylinder head, at right angles to the tensioner. Removing this bolt gives you access to pull the setpin out.
9. Pull the setpin out and replace the maintenance bolt.
If, after all of this, the ticking is still there, you need a new tensioner. Somehow, installing the tensioner incorrectly has damaged it.

The setpin looks like a small "L" shaped Allen key. If you can't get one to work, you might be better off to just buy a new tensioner. That would have the setpin in place and the tensioner already loaded.

You should drive the car with any sort of load or high rpm while the tensioner is in bad shape. Your worst fear will be if the timing chain jumps a tooth or two or three.

 

... darkfx, go ahead and get the new one, replace the old one, and your noise should disappear... wouldnt drive it much and def no

 

anyone have the part# for the timing chain tensioner? thanks

 

https://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...SHAFT-CAM+CHAIN

Looks like it has gone up a bit, but its #12 in the diagram...
got mine in about a week with no problems...
OEM stuff, i didnt see a reason not to use them...

 

 

from what ive read and understand, yes it somewhat works off/relies on oil pressure... read up on it and see... now, im not an expert by any stretch...

 

changed the tensioner and sound is STILL there. Thinking it could be valves?

 

You see, this would have been the prime example of an engine noise that should have been diagnosed with a mechanic's stethoscope BEFORE going ahead and replacing stuff. That would have eliminated the tensioner and directed you toward the valves or eliminate the valves and compelled you to look elsewhere.
People are just getting too "cam chain tensioner" happy these days it seems just because it has popped up so often. You may have a serpentine belt problem, a pulley problem or even just plain old piston slap. Have you checked your oil level lately? Are you using the correct type of oil?

 

Dang man, tough luck... They are prone to wear prematurely though...
All I know is that replacing the TCT worked for me personally and I have no unusual noise like I had b4 and what you seemed to describe... This is just my experience with my car... I sincerely hate that it didnt seem to solve yours...

 

It also worked for me too