ok guy, my 07 ss, has 71k on it, and its done this for a few months now, on some start up it will rattle, once you drive down the road and get a little above 2 grand rpm, it goes away and is fine. no CEL or anything. its that distinctive rattle that sound slike its in the s/c. BUT it is not, i replaced my coupler 1k miles ago when i did all my upgrades. i think its time to repalce the tensioner now that i ahve some money saved up. just wondering what all parts i need, i did some research but im getting mixed answers.

im guessing i jsut need this?
Ecotec Timing Chain Tensioner 12608580 - Crate Engine Depot

anything else? what to watch out for when removing the old one?

 

anyone?

 

my 07 LS did a nasty rattle on start up. Ended up being the timing chain tensioner. I ordered the one from CED, swapped it and started it up. No more rattle!

My old one was blown into about 6 pieces.

 

yea thats the part i did the swap too

 

75 dollars or less

 

so i just need the tensioner from CED? if i dont remove the valve cover, can i still remove the tensioner?

 

Yep you only need the tensioner from ced. You can remove the tensioner without removing the valve cover. The tensioner is on the back of the block passenger side right below the valve cover. Some people highly suggest removing the valve cover when replacing it. I didn't, I just unscrewed the old one and screwed in the new one, no problems. But I also let my car sit overnight before I took out the tensioner, don't know if that helps at all with the chain not jumping teeth.

 

ok well we just got some snow, car ahs been sitting for the last day, ima order the tensioner then go for it i guess. i just dont want the car to get out of time or anything like that.

 

It'll be fine. I changed mine in the parking lot of the CED meet in 2010.

Once you've loosened the tensioner, CAREFULLY untread it by hand and gently pull it out. Its going to fall apart, if you're careful... it'll fall apart outside of the engine. Then thread the new one in. MAKE SURE YOU APPLY THE PROPER AMOUNT OF TORQUE TO IT. Start the car. Done.


Here's mine on the ground, in pieces.

 

ok, ill be carefull, how many parts are they when it comes apart?

 

I don't remember for sure. All I see in the pic are the body, the spring, and the end piece. I thought there was one more piece... but maybe not. As long as the spring and that stopped is there, you're good.

 

ok sounds good, i just ordred it.

 

i got the tensioner and was reading on here about re setting the new tensioner? idk what do they mean? i figured id get this tensoner, unscrew old one and put the new one in. can someone please chime in and tell me what i have to do to do this thing right, i dont feel like grenading my motor over something stupid. btw car has sat for the last 2 days.

 

ok so i got the new tensioner in, didnt reset nothing, just took old out, put new in and its does have a lil preasure on it, torqued it to 55 foot pounds, so now i guess just start it?

 

well car started up, idles fine, no noises, looks like we are good! thanks guys!

 

Yea the old design had to be set not the new one. Glad everything is good now

 

A question about the tensioner....

The tip of it...since it has a valley cut into it does it matter how that goes into it or does it all work out when you tighten it up?

Also I have read alot about the resetting of it and something about tapping it with a hammer to make it release??

 

i noticed the lil groove too, wondered the same thing, then jsut threw it in there lol. there was tension on it when putting it in so i figured that was a good sign since it wasnt completly loose.

 

The groove will line up on the chain guide while turning it in. The little grooved piece rotates within the body of the tensioner so once it lines up on the guide it just stays in position as you torque everything down.

 

What tools do you need exactly to take out the old/ put in the new tensioner?

 

ratchet and a 32mm socket. torque wrench and torque the new one to 55 ft. lbs.