Sigh.. leaking tensioner...
#16
Former Vendor
So I rebuilt my tensioner, fine. All went according to plan. So I filled it up with gear oil using the fill and bleed screws. It is SO slow to fill with the tiny holes in those bleed screws, course it didn't help that I work in an unheated shop where it was -10 at that point in time. So eventually I got impatient and just poured the gear oil in the little sections where it mates to the block, sure enough it filled. Then I thought I was good to install it. So I applied some RTV to the perimeter of the gasket that will see oil contact, just to be sure. Bolt it on and torque all the bolts to 20nm and I have what appears to be a very slow leak, like maybe a drop a day, right at that bottom bolt where I assume all the gear oil pools. What do I do? I made sure the aluminum mating surfaces were cleaned of all the old gasket material with a razor. I'd rather not have to order another gasket. Was the RTV a mistake?
Here's the rule of thumb, that I've taught every mechanic that has ever worked for me:
If the gasket was originally installed dry.....put the new one back on dry. If either of the surfaces are damaged or have corrosion, come and get me, to look at the damage. If there was Loctitie on the bolt threads when the factory installed it, apply Loctitie again or get the correct "encapsulated" bolt. If there was never seize on the threads when the factory assembled it, re-apply the exact same product.
#17
#18
Nordschleife Master
#19
Nordschleife Master
When I recommend a Porkentensioner it is when installation error is likely.