Hydralic Valve Tensioner?????

[98blackz24]

I just had the water pump replaced on my '98 Z24. About a day later when idling, it started to 'clunk'....but it goes away when driving.

Thought it may be the timing chain, or a valve prob. I called the dealer and they said it may be the Hydraulic Valve Tensioner....its common for them to stick........

Anyone had this prob??????

[dadzilla15]

Had the same problem with 97 Quad 4 for my niece. The timing chain tensioner can malfunction if not properly "reloaded". Unfortunately I did hers myself and had to tear off the timing cover to fix. I would suggest that you take it back to who ever changed the water pump and suggest they should take care of it for you. Search this forum for "timing tensioner" and read some of the posts to get an idea of what you are talking about before approaching them.

[NuBlackCavy]

Originally Posted by 98blackz24

I just had the water pump replaced on my '98 Z24. About a day later when idling, it started to 'clunk'....but it goes away when driving.

Thought it may be the timing chain, or a valve prob. I called the dealer and they said it may be the Hydraulic Valve Tensioner....its common for them to stick........

Anyone had this prob??????

I sure did! I've got a '98 2.4L DOHC 4 door Cavy that needed the waterpump changed. It took the guy I went to 3 times to get the hydraulic tensioners to work right especially at 500 RPM. What a mess I tell you. Please for God's sake, if you're getting this work done on the 2.4L , make sure those mechanics are ASE certified!!! I dropped almost $1000.00 on this job and guess what, the damned thing is still loosing pressure, plus I've got a PS leak near the rack and pinion box. Anyway, not to get off topic, make sure that the tensioners are properly seated and WORK AT ANY RPM IDLE, very important. No tapping period. That part of my engine sounds very smooth. That's all I've got goin' for the moment: a very TAP-FREE smooth sounding 2.4L. MAKE WHOEVER FIXED YOUR WATERPUMP, ADJUST YOUR TENSIONERS AT THEIR EXPENSE. I'll bet they were working before you had your waterpump replaced.

[SWEATBREAD]

1st Of All The Tensionor Is A Common Problem With This Engine When Timming Chain And Water Pumps Are Replaced. However The Tensionor Is Not Adjsutable. If The Tensionor Fails It Is Not A Installer Error But A Part Failure. That Is Why A New Tensionor Should Always Be Installed Any Time A Water Pump And Or Timming Chain Is Replaced. If The Technician Did Not Replace This Part And It Has Now Failed It Is Not A Matter Of The Part Being Missinstalled But A Lack Of Experience.

[dadzilla15]

If The Technician Did Not Replace This Part And It Has Now Failed It Is Not A Matter Of The Part Being Missinstalled But A Lack Of Experience.
Sorry to disagree with you Sweatbread but I just finished washing up from fixing the problem with the one I stated. This being my first experience with this particular type of tensioner I was unaware that once the tensioner was compressed to put it back in the engine you had to release it after it was bolted down. After pulling the front timing cover off I released the tension to reset the tensioner and put it all back together,, all is fine now. It is not a matter of a failed part but a matter of an inexerpienced or careless installer. (As I was) If failure is such a common problem a good mechanic would know to replace it when doing this work. My

[redr2]

so does anyone know how to reset the tensioner?

I am puting it back on a 96 2.4 and want to make sure everyting is good before I reset everything.

thanks!!

- Kurt

[rhandwor]

Most hydraulic tensioners you have to put in a vise and compress the tensioner put a pin in it and when it is installed pull out the pin. If it just pushes in it is defective. Normally I found hydraulic tensioners on Volvo's or Mazda's. All of them I have found work this way.

[randy78]

so how to reset the tensioner ?
ok i am bringing this up from the past because i need to find out details on this


when do you need to reset the tensioner?

and by resetting what do you mean exactly ? and whe is it supposed to be done ?


do you have to do anything to a new tensioner when installing it- other than pull the horse shoe shaped clip to release it ?



thanks

[rhandwor]

It has to be installed with the belt in place ready to run then pull the clip the tension should be on the belt at this time.