Replace timing chain tensioner without ripping apart timing cover?

[foama]

I think my tensioner has gotten lazy as I get the rattle on cold starts...

Why don't you post an audio file of that rattle here? Maybe it sounds familiar to some of us.

Of course stuff happens, but I would be very cautious about calling it a defect tensioner before all the other possible stuff has been looked at.
It may sound stupid, but you could first check:

1.) You have a decent quality oil filter? Beware, They do sell some really crappy stuff in some parts.

2.) Are you using the wrong oil viscosity? Too thick oil takes too long to properly get into circulation, That causes "no oil rattle" on startup, just as a drained oil filter.

3.) After you take the valve cover off, the chain should sit on the pulleys tightly with almost no play, Check by hand. That lets you evaluate the plunger-ratchet of the tensioner. Btw, they hardly ever go broke.

4.) With the valve cover off and while you are at it: Have you measured valve play? See the FSM about how to.


Nice pix, Fummins!

[MightyMirageMpg]

The numbers are on the bottom of the buckets? Does this mean there's not a way you can know what parts you need to do the adjustment without taking it apart twice or having the car down multiple days?

[Fummins]

The numbers are on the bottom of the buckets? Does this mean there's not a way you can know what parts you need to do the adjustment without taking it apart twice or having the car down multiple days?

That's correct. So far I've checked zero valve lash in these engines. But there are two that sound like they have top end clatter. One is a 2015 with almost 450k km/280k miles and the other is a 2019 with 200k km(but driven by a 50 y/o teenager).

[Wallythacker]

Nope, there isn't any manual adjustment.
Edit: didn't realize that was you.
The lifters aren't adjustable though, you gotta replace the lifter with one that's a different height. The engine I tore down had 3-4 different height lifter buckets. Each one is marked with the height or part number. I'm sure there's pics on the forum somewhere. I'll tear a couple more engines apart one of these days and share that.

Kawasaki engines had buckets. You needed a kit with hundreds of buckets before you began work on your Z1. Ugh. I hated that. Are you sure the chain system is at fault? You would only be the 2nd person here with chain issues. Ever. Another guy was just, IMO, clueless when he was diagnosing noises from his engine. He posted once about the chain then never again. I wonder if he pooched his engine and scrapped the car.

[inuvik]

Are you sure the chain system is at fault? You would only be the 2nd person here with chain issues. Ever. Another guy was just, IMO, clueless when he was diagnosing noises from his engine. He posted once about the chain then never again. I wonder if he pooched his engine and scrapped the car.

If it is the timing chain I'd be very surprised. We (the forum) just haven't seen this kind of problem with the exception of the person that Wallythacker mentioned. I'm not saying it isn't but these 3A92's engines have really had zero timing chain issues. Even members that have made it past 300000 miles / 482000 km have had no issues with the timing chain.

[foama]

How about posting an audio file of that noise?