Z24 Chain tensioner

Hi guys got a question for everyone. 1997 Cavalier Z24, 2.4 DOHC. Had the water pump go on me about a week ago, had a new one put in and 6.5 hours later it was installed. When we took out the chain tensioner, noticed that it was not reseting properly. It was binding up, we put everything back together and sure enough it was knocking horribly. We figured because the chain tensioner was binding up that was the problem. Ordered a new tensioner and installed it. Still no diffrence. The Knocking will go away if I have just started the car in the cold. But as soon as it begins to warm up the knocking comes back and the warmer it gets the louder it gets. If I rev it up the knocking goes away. not sure if maybe we got a faulty chain tensioner. The tensioner itself says see manual to reset, I have a service manual nd it does not mention anything about reseting the chain tensioner. It seems like after installation the tensioner it runs on oil pressure and that should reset it but without having a shop manual there is no way to be sure. I plan on going up to chevrolet and asking but they are closed for a few days due to the holidays. If anyone has any ideas, they would be appretiated.

Joe Dondaneau

hey man I just went through this 3 days ago... I put a new tensioner on, but you really need to replace the chain, and also there are two guides that this chain rides on... replace those, and it will go away... and when/if you get a new chain, compare the old one to the new one, and look at the differences in lengths... cuzs the chain beats off the side of the block if it stretchs whether the tensioner is bad or not...

oh PS I advise to put a new gasket kit when you put everything back together I got one and got the wrong one, and put it back together hoping the old one would hold up, and it didnt... so now I leak about a quart of oil every tank... so i need to replace those now...

good luck

It sounds like you are not getting the chain tensioner extended. Just to be sure you have the plunger type, correct?
If you get a manual from the library and in there it will tell you to put a screw driver between the tensioner shoe and the plunger then turn and to you suprise the tensioner will pop out. It's almost imposible to get the plunger to come out other wise. I did the same thing, went out and bought a new one b4 I read the book and relized the old one was still good.
good luck, CC

Hey, Got my water pump replaced in Nov. in my 1997 Cav. I replaced the tensioner because when the pump was being fixed, it stretched the tensioner to much. Couln not give you any tips, didn't want the hassel, so I just paid someone to do it. It was not cheap at all!!!