Help! Timing Chain Tensioner 2.4 Help!

[darnsuprat]

I installed the timing chain tensioner on the 2.4. It seems like this tensioner is primed with oil while the engine is running and forces the piston up to tension the timing chain. I installed a new tensioner. The piston is down since it has no oil to prime it and the chain is loose. It doesn't seem to be as loose as to allow slippage.
My question is: Is this how it's supposed to be until I close up everything and start the engine for oil to flow into the tensioner?
Does anyone have any experience in this area? Please help as I have everything apart and just waiting on this part to complete my work.

P.S. I had to remove the tensioner to replace a bad water pump.

If anyone can assist me by calling my cell, it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks.

[xeroinfinity]

Is your tensioner shoe one piece or two ?

Also the chain may feel loose if you didnt get all 4 of the chain giude back in .

PS Its probly not a good idea to post your cell #.
As anyone can call you or pass it around,
you can edit your post

[darnsuprat]

The tensioner has 2 bolt holes and has like a piston that is pushed out after oil is forced into the chamber via an oil hole. Not sure if that's what u meant by one or two piece.
Also, thanks for the phone # advise.

[xeroinfinity]

I was talking about the shoe its self that rides up against the chain. Sometime they changed them from 1 piece shoes to a 2 piece.

Not much difference, though it should tighten up fine when the oil pressure's up.

[xeroinfinity]

I did want to add that if the plunger on the tensioner was set and locked before the install,
you DO need to unlock it with a screwdriver or other pry tool before it'll work properly.

Sorry for the delay.

[darnsuprat]

xeroinfinity, thanks for your replies.

I looked at the tensioner very very carefully and there's no way the tensioner is "locked" before installation. The only way that the piston is pushed up to tension the chain is be oil being forced into the chamber.
I know what you meant by the locking and I've done that before on other applications but have never seen one like this before.
This tensioner for the Alero is the GM 24575512. It does say on the tensioner "See manual to reset" and that's why I'm so puzzled because it doesn't look like it can be reset.
The shoe you're asking me about......is a one piece with the bottom end attached to the engine and allows for the tensioner to push the other end up to tension the chain.
I was able to start the engine and was hoping that the oil pressure will tension the chain but it isn't. I let it idle for a bit to get the oil pressure up but it still didn't work. The chain didn't slip because all the marks lined back up.
I'm still stumped. Do you think if I go ask the dealer if they would help?

[xeroinfinity]

When you install a New tensioner thier is a wire pin that keeps it from poping all the way out.

So if yours is new then you may need to look for the pin holding it.
My manual says to use a pry bar to pop the tensioner shoe shaft out.
I usually use a large screwdriver, not a pry bar

Also it may not biuld oil pressure with the timming cover off ;D

Hopefully this'll work !

[etherialcruiser]

There is a trick to this seemingly simple tensioner-the "chamfered" end of the piston (which slides freely in the bore) is actually a piston within a piston. You have to smach it with a hammer to have it pop out.I am learning this as I go, as I had a garage replace the timing chain and tensioner, but they omitted this important step.The back of the outer piston has a ball check valve. I believe it would be a good idea to bathe the unit in oil when you do it,so that the inner piston hydralically "locks" outward.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF etherialcruiser.
Please look at the dates before posting in outdated threads!!

this is closed!