Hi guys, recently I hear a little of noise at startup on one right side.
It could be the tension spring, oil ?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks

 

The chain tensioners last a long time. The tensioners are a combination spring and hydraulic function. Its not likely the spring is lost tension. How old are the tensioners? What oil are you using? What is the ambient temperature at start up? What does your oil pressure gauge say at start up?

 

Hi Rob, thanks!
All parameters are good temp. Oil pressure no leaking oil just sometimes a rattle from right side of the chain side or at least I think so. I will need to change the gaskets anyway.
can I remove the bracket which hold the ac compressor will be easy to get to the right side cover.

 

Tensioners I don’t remember replace them car is an ‘93.

 

Unless it was already modified, you'll have to remove the pulley to remove the ac holder.

 

A rattling on start up which goes away after a second is likely to be a chain tensioner, I’d replace them asap as it won’t be doing the chain guide rails any good.👍

 

If it is the right side the tensioner is accessed from below it is the left side that has the tensioner up top. Left is easily accessed by removing the distributer. Easy to do just find Cyl 1 TDC and pull. Make sure it is repalced the same way. No need to remove the A/C if it is from the right if unless you want to access the rails for inspection. . I would pull and check them to be sure they are not clogged. Most likely a good cleaning is all that is needed. I have seen them last 300k miles without ever being removed. I always believe in inspecting and repairing and replacing only when needed. More than likely a result of infrequent oil changes which has its own set of issues.

I would pull the muffler and inspect the right tensioner. If you decide to pull the left timing chain cover since it doesn't require removing the A/C bracket, engine support bar and crank pulley you can inspect the rails on the left side easily. If they look bad it might be time to dive deeper into why it is happening. If you pull the A/C braket which requires pulling the crank pulley I would modify the bracket for easier future access and eliminate the need to pull the pulley in the future. There is a section of the A/C bracket that is in the way and shows you exactly where to grind to.

 

The driver side tensioner can be replaced without removing the distributor. Of course it is much, much easier with the distributor removed but I was able to get to the chain tensioner with the distributor in place and the engine in the car. Thankfully I won't have to do that again in a long time but if someone is reluctant or afraid to remove the distributor, it is possible with it in place.

 

Thank you all for your thoughts.
I need to change the gaskets anyway so I will dig deeper and see what’s going on when I remove the covers.
Cheers!

 

Agreed, but I found it takes less frustration to just remove the distributor. I know people worry about doing these jobs but it is very simple to do