As we all know, there have been issues with timing chain tensioners in our cars failing. However GM stated to have fixed this after the 2006 cars.

This doesn't seem to be the case in my 2007. I had a random rattling noise at idle from time to time. Sounded just like heavy valvetrain noise. Since it was random I chalked it up to the timing chain tensioner.

I also had a little leak from the valve cover gasket right under the intake cam so I decided to buy a new valve cover gasket kit and a new timing chain tensioner from Crate Engine Depot. Corvettespirit, Dr.Balt407 and I made a little discovery as to why you should get the new style chain tensioner. Anyway here is the carnage from an old style 2 piece tensioner.



Yes, that is in 5 pieces and a little clip it has is missing. I also dropped the pan that day and found bits of that clip in the oil pan. If you are having random noise at idle that sounds like valvetrain noise and it comes and goes, this very well could be your issue. Much bigger issues could have came from this and I am glad I changed it.

You can find the part at Crate Engine Depot for like $40 plus shipping: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2216C133.aspx.

Hope this helps some of you!

 

nice pics and pieces but its old info i believe but nothing wrong with posting it up again word to you dawg

 

good info here. but gm did come out with a brand new tensioner within the past year i believe. i have it. its pretty meaty. no issues with it thus far.

 

Can you describe the noise? I have have a feeling I have this same problem.

Thanks for the info!

EDIT: valvetrain noise?

 

yea had this go about a year ago easy fix and will save u tons of money

 

yep i know it is but my issue started recently. figured pictures would help get some people off of their ass and change theirs

yep they did. the new style is one piece and a breeze to install

 

Glad you posted pics of it. My old-style tensioner came apart when I took it out, but luckily nothing was broken or I would have had to drop the pan like you did.

The new style is such a great design I'd say its worthwhile for anyone with an LSJ to upgrade to it just for the peace of mind it brings.

 

its just a pretty loud rattling sound that increases with rpm. but it comes and goes. kind of weird

 

^^^^it seriously sounds like a tick, like click click click lol. you will notice it, if u feel like your car dosent sound right and the noise is coming by the passenger firewall. that would be that. i made a how to on this! i never havve it handy but search it and u will find it.

 

Yeah, the new one is a ton better. I bought one of the previous "upgraded" ones when I did my motor, and it was still pretty much the same thing. Now, the LSJ "updated" one is just like an LNF one, much more solid, and oil pressure driven as opposed to just the spring... like it should have been from the beginning.

Yeah, and honestly, if you didn't do anything else, you could just take it out, replace it, and go. You don't have to move anything to get to the tensioner, and nothing should move just by removing the tensioner.

 

Bingo! thats what mine is doing, though it hasn't in awhile....does that mean I'm screwed?

 

link to good new one? i think i have heard this little sound u speak of beforee

 

finish reading my post.

 

 

do these work on my bicycle timing chain?

 

sorry did i super quick look. I failz

 

Nice catch man. Im gunna buy one and replace mine when I paint my VC in a few weeks.

 

subd, if its 40$ for piece of mind i might as well have it done when i do my gmp clutch next month

 

I need to change my valve cover gasket so I might as well replace this while I'm in there to save future problems.

 

or get one from rock auto for $25

 

Is this tensioner as easy as taking out the old one and putting in the new one?

 

how long did it take? I am starting to get scared of something breaking on my car as I am out of town and have no tools so I would have to bring it to a shop.

I am probably gonna pick up a 260pc tool set from sears in a few weeks when I see it on sale online. Luckily I just changed my oil the day before I left so I am good on that for 6000+ miles.

 

a lot of people do that but we removed the valve cover to make sure everything was seated correctly

took about 30 minutes to take off the valve cover, remove old tensioner, install new tensioner and put the valve cover back on. the tensioner is a big socket. 24mm i believe

 

32mm, same as the oil filter

 

Ah crap. I thought it was my idler pulley that was clicking. Sigh... Well I know what i'm doing this weekend. Along with 3in cold side piping and some tig welding