Replace timing chain tensioner without ripping apart timing cover?

[foama]

You could remove the phaser solenoid and plug it with a bolt of correct size and then start the engine to check.

[Fummins]

You could remove the phaser solenoid and plug it with a bolt of correct size and then start the engine to check.

I’ll have to take a closer look one day. I was thinking maybe if the cam
Was facing a certain direction with the engine off it might just leak out the oil from it, then on restart sounds clacky. If cam stops in a different position it sounds fine. That’d explain why they don’t always make noise on cold or first start after oil change