Hydraulic Tensioner Replacement

[LKWTSI]

I'm doing a full engine rebuild and wondered if it's absolutely necessary to replace the Hydraulic Tensioner

I took the one of the old motor and compressed it to lock the pin into the holes and it was exceptionally stiff. So I just want to know if this is one of those nice to do things or if there's some benefit to replacing it, such as it softens over time or what?

Thanks.

 

[awdtalon21]

Its not absolutely necessary, but if your going to be in there and replacing the other stuff you better just replace it for piece of mind.

 

[92AWDHX40]

This is easy if you dont you could be paying for a head job, its around 90 bucks replace that and the pulleys, and done. Ive had everything fail in the past so now, everything is replaced especially if you dont know the conditon of the parts.

 

[fwdmaster]

I recommend getting a new one,so you know everything is legit and ready to go

 

[LKWTSI]

Thanks guys, I planned on doing it, but figured I'd make sure I wasn't just putting $90 down on something that wasn't 100% needed. But I want to do this right and not pull this thing again for a while!!

 

[92AWDHX40]

There you go thats how i learned with this thing.

 

[steve]

Since you don't say how old it is even if it's currently functional you replace it because you spent a long of money on the other parts and if it fails you would be looking at 10x the cost to fix the damage.

It's cheap insurance.

 

[haswesley]

Tensioners fail like all other timing components. Change it now or pay later.

 

[PhillTSi]

any pics on how to do this replacement? or a thread of sorts.

 

[BLINKY619]

any pics on how to do this replacement? or a thread of sorts.

theres a picture here of the timing components

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/375360-help-oil-leak-pic-included.html

 

[LKWTSI]

any pics on how to do this replacement? or a thread of sorts.

The actual tensioner is easy. It's just 2 bolts. getting to it is another story. Depending on what you are planning, it'll either require you to do alot of monkeying around between the fenderwell and front of the engine. Or if you are pulling the engine to do a rebuild it's a whole lot easier. There are tons of pic's out there and VFAQ has a great description on how to do the timing belt replacement.

You can see some clear pic's of what all the components look like, at my blog and see what I did.

Timing Belt VFAQ (Timing Belt TSB - ENHANCED)

here's VFAQ, for starters.

 

[WickedQuikAWD]

Definitely replace your tensioner, a friend neglected to do so on his build and soon after bent his new valves when the timing belt jumped timing and the valves hit the pistons. It is worth the peace of mind alone.