So i just did the timing chain tensioner on my 2005 cobalt and now i have a very loud ticking sound. The tensioner engaged so what could the sound be?

 

Post a video

 

Could be a broken or failing guide.

Pull the cam cover, and take a look down to see if you can see anything loose. Check the slack on the chain as well.

 

well i pulled the cover and the timing jumped, it didnt hit the valve tho

 

How do you know for sure??

If it jumped timing, that ticking sound could have been the valves tapping against the pistons.

For piece of mind, I'd run a scope down the spark plug holes and inspect the tops of the pistons.

 

thats been done, the noise i was hearing was the chain with no tension on it, the rest of the engine is safe