bwoodry

I have a nasty noise on start up and when the oil pressure comes up within a second it goes away.

After much consideration and some searching on previous posts I have determined it is either timing chain tensioners not having pressure which causes the rattling or a starter motor gear not pulling away from the flywheel.

Now considering that this only happens after the car sits overnight and never during the day of driving during restarts I feel it is the chain tensioners. Possibly the springs are weak on the tensioner of the cam chain and it allows the chains to rattle around until oil pressure moves the tensioners

Question,, is it difficult to replace the springs on the chain tensioner , can this be done with relative ease?



Any experience in this area ?

Thanks

Bob

Heirsh

I don't know about the springs themselves, but the chain tensioners don't look too bad to replace. I was going to do it because I have a bit of chain slap if the car sits for 3-4 days without running, but I'm delaying it for now.

dfinnegan

I believe that you need to put in a chain with a master-link if you don't break down the engine. At least that's what I've read about the pre-'89 911's.

Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but probably not optimal.

Cheers,
Dave

Heirsh

I don't think you need to replace the chains when replacing tensioners? They push in from the outside of the chains so should be no problem?

dfinnegan

Ah, chain tensioner . . . sorry.

garrett376

Chain tensioners are accessed and removed by taking off the small cover - bottom side of the engine on the right, top side on the left. They just slide right out. I have not heard of these needing replacement... at least on this forum.

bwoodry

Perhaps a spring is bad or the oil is not getting to them fast enough. The other optionis the Start,, but it only happens on initial start up.. Any ohter ideas?

Tks

Bob

bwoodry

I pulled the spring tensioners and checked the oil jounals etc, , they seem fine, so what next?

Could a failing CAT Converter make this noise?
Bob

bwoodry

Would valves needing adjustment make this noise on start-up?

Thanks
Bob

JasonAndreas

If your valves are loose and in need of an adjustment they will make the sewing machine noise all the time.

I would go down to a local pharmacy and spend $5 for a stethoscope. They really help to pinpoint the source of weird noises. Another option is to record the sound into an .mp3 file and post it here.

bwoodry

Jason:
Thanks,, I have someone coming over to listen to the noise today.

Bob

bwoodry

Update:
New spring Tensioners and rails solved the problem.
Tks

Bob

Heirsh

Ah thks. I guess I need to spend the cpl hundred and do this as well. I just dont care for that awful sound

oh hey, do you still have your old ones? Could I buy them off of you?

BaysideC4

I need to replace them too - Any advice on the installation and cost? Thanks

JasonAndreas

The hydraulic chain tensioners are oil pressurized springs so you don't necessarily have to replace them (I didn't). Instead you can take them out (they're held in place with two nuts) and clean them and (more importantly) at the base of the lower tensioners, remove the oil sludge.