When installing a new timing chain tensioner, how can I verify that it's been activated after installation? Both the How To on here and Alldata say to just feed a long tool down the chain cover and whack the tensioner diagonally downward to activate it, but as far as I can tell that does jack squat. Jolting the tensioner is supposed to compress the tensioner 2mm and activate it, but I cant get the plastic guide that touches the chain to move at all. When I remove the tensioner, its active. Now I know that means that the tensioner must have been activated when I installed it, but if that's the case why is what I'm seeing different from what Alldata says should be happening?

 

Nobody?

 

If the tensioner is properly compressed when you install it and fully extended when you remove it to double check, it sounds like you're doing the procedure properly.

One thing I do to check is to use the same flat bladed tool to push down on the chain/guide. If it springs back then you're good.

You may not think its alot of tension, but its enough to get the car started without any issues. Just don't rev the **** out of it and you'll be good. Since the tensioner is actuated with oil pressure, once pressure builds the tensioner may ratchet out another click. It will make some timing chain noise but that should go away as soon as oil pressure is built in the engine.