leaking timing chain tensioner on 2004 Corolla

[gallamine]

I took my 2004 Corolla to the dealer to get it inspected. They told me that the timing chain tensioner is leaking. It must not have been too bad, because they told my wife it wasn't critical to replace it.

Questions:

1) what exactly is it leaking? what happens if it fails?
2) where can I look to see the leak?
3) how difficult is it to replace?
4) if I had a shop replace it, am I looking at a few hundred $ or several hundred $?

Thanks!

[quick69gto]

Interesting. The timing chain tensioner is located under the timing chain cover. The tensioner is constantly covered in oil (under the chain cover).
They can't see the tensioner to say that it's leaking. However, it is possible that the timing chain cover is leaking.
Look at the front of the engine (passenger side) for any leaks but I would bet that they were trying to take advantage of your wife (not uncommon).
Take the car to someone else for a second opinion.

Good luck!

[jamesmetairie]

probly they were talking abut the accessary belt tensioner assembly. . the assembly malfunctions . symptoms = noise when idling when starting the motor cold while it warms up.

[Pntsplat]

The chain tensioner is not located inside the cover it slides through the cover on the back side. Two number ten nuts hold it in place. They really dont fail that often since they have a ratcheting mechanism that prevents them from releasing tensior from the chain. Anyway it has a large o-ring around it that keeps oil from seeping out and around the tensioner. Take out the ten mm nuts slide it out, replace the o-ring and slide it back in. Simple as that. If you want to verify the leak you can open the hood and look behind the engine on the passanger side and see if its leaking. its right above the powersteering pump pressure switch connector bolted to the timing cover.

[quick69gto]

Oops!
Pntsplat is right. I was thinking of the Chain Tensioner Slipper.
The actual tensioner is outside the cover. As Pntsplat indicated: it's very easy to change the O-ring.

[yaeler]

Tensioner is cheap..No big deal.