Cam Tensioner Help!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Frisco, TX
Cam Tensioner Help!
I have a 85S 5 manual, I removed the cam tensioner from the left side of the engine yesterday and have a couple of questions. 1.- The top pad looked very good, the bottom pad appeared more worn and uneven, How do I know if the tensioner needs to be replaced? 2- Why would the top half of the chain be tight, but the bottom half have play?
Dan
Frisco, Tx
85 S
Dan
Frisco, Tx
85 S
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 9
From: North Richland Hills, TX
Dan,
It is normal for only one pad to show wear. The piston in the tenioner pushes out (via oil pressure) and applies tension on only one side. So, the side under tension will wear out first. The other side will almost never wear out unless there is some other problem that I am not aware of. They are relatively cheap. I recently replaced mine on both sides and bought them from 928 Specialists. The passenger side on U.S. models pushes up, and the Drivers side pushes down on their respective chains. The oil pressure should pump up the tensioner and tighten the chain as soon as you fire the motor. If you have a bad tensioner, you would be able to hear it right away. If you suspect that you have a bad tensioner, replace it. Otherwise, replace the pads and motor on.
Mike
1987 S4 Auto
It is normal for only one pad to show wear. The piston in the tenioner pushes out (via oil pressure) and applies tension on only one side. So, the side under tension will wear out first. The other side will almost never wear out unless there is some other problem that I am not aware of. They are relatively cheap. I recently replaced mine on both sides and bought them from 928 Specialists. The passenger side on U.S. models pushes up, and the Drivers side pushes down on their respective chains. The oil pressure should pump up the tensioner and tighten the chain as soon as you fire the motor. If you have a bad tensioner, you would be able to hear it right away. If you suspect that you have a bad tensioner, replace it. Otherwise, replace the pads and motor on.
Mike
1987 S4 Auto
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,972
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From: Brighton, MI
Originally Posted by Dannyfumi
Mike,
Thanks for the reply, I was hearing my chain slapping under load, i.e. revving up. Just to be safe I'll replace the whole tensioner.
Dan
Frisco, Tx
85S-32v manual
Thanks for the reply, I was hearing my chain slapping under load, i.e. revving up. Just to be safe I'll replace the whole tensioner.
Dan
Frisco, Tx
85S-32v manual
Good idea.
