Which Chain Tensioner ?

Hi all,

I have the tapping on start up which lasts for maybey 3-5 seconds.

its a 4.4 v8 on a 2004.

Which chain tensioner do i need to replace to solve it.

The upper or lower tensioner ?

Thanks

The one that's leaking oil and going slack.

There is one tensioner on the main drive chain, and two tensioners on the cam chains, one on each bank.

The main chain tensioner is the common culprit

Sorry to butt in but this may help the OP, when I did my cam covers the drivers side cam chain tensioner was relaxed with plenty of play in the chain and the passenger side was tight. Does that say anything or is that normal?

I also get the start up rattle when the engine is warm.

I have the main tensioner on standby ready to fit but when i initially tried i couldn't even get a socket or spanner on it to undo it.

Mine is also a 4.4 2004.

holidaychicken said:

Sorry to butt in but this may help the OP, when I did my cam covers the drivers side cam chain tensioner was relaxed with plenty of play in the chain and the passenger side was tight. Does that say anything or is that normal?

I also get the start up rattle when the engine is warm.

I have the main tensioner on standby ready to fit but when i initially tried i couldn't even get a socket or spanner on it to undo it.

Mine is also a 4.4 2004.

Click to expand...

The chain tensioners act like an hydraulic tappet. They fill with oil via a one way valve. If that valve gets **** on it, the oil drains off allowing tension to be released. So you get a rattle on startup which goes away as oil pressure returns and expands the tensioner.

wammers said:

The chain tensioners act like an hydraulic tappet. They fill with oil via a one way valve. If that valve gets **** on it, the oil drains off allowing tension to be released. So you get a rattle on startup which goes away as oil pressure returns and expands the tensioner.

Click to expand...

Ok, thanks, i have the one way valves also ready to fit that sit behind the vanos solenoids, is that the same valve or is there also an integral one way valve in the tensioner itself ?

holidaychicken said:

Ok, thanks, i have the one way valves also ready to fit that sit behind the vanos solenoids, is that the same valve or is there also an integral one way valve in the tensioner itself ?

Click to expand...

Don't know, was just describing how hydraulic tensioners generally work. Ant would be the one to ask about Vanos never had one apart.

holidaychicken said:

Ok, thanks, i have the one way valves also ready to fit that sit behind the vanos solenoids, is that the same valve or is there also an integral one way valve in the tensioner itself ?

Click to expand...

wammers said:

Don't know, was just describing how hydraulic tensioners generally work. Ant would be the one to ask about Vanos never had one apart.

Click to expand...

The tensioner has a one way valve integral to it....

The valves you have Andy are the VANOS NRV's....

And the Cam Chain tensioners should be the same tension as each other...if you have a slack one, the little tensioner is U/S or the chain guide shoes that sit a top and bottom of the tensioner are excessively worn.

Changing these little guides is simple, but you need pins to lock the tensioner in its closed position as these are a spring as opposed to the main tensioner which is hydraulic.

Cheers Wammers.

Ant, i am trying to find a little vid i took of the cam chain but i could get hold of the chain and lift it up and down.
if i wanted to replace the tensioner, can that be done with just the cam covers off or is more involved than that.

Apologies for the hijack OP

How often do you do a oil change ? Really long oil changes on stop start engines tend to get more carbon build up. City or Rural. I changed oil in half the time they stated and filter of course. We had a Rover in and it had the top engine in from Honda and it was rattling like a good one. Wynns hydraulic tappet cleaner with fresh oil and a filter, ran it hot for a long while, then the noises went slowly away. Dropped the oil hot into a good drainer (not thin plastic) using thick rubber gloves to undo the sump plug. Changed the filter, wiping away any crap in the housing, fresh oiled the new filter and topped up when cooled down. The filter will get extra tight if you do it hot. Wait until it's cool.
Engine runs quiet now. Check your oil type as well, older engines may need a different grade. Castrol used to do a chart.

Thanks for the replies.

Will order one up, hopefully it is easy to change without dismantling the engine !

Are Febi Bilstein tensioners ok ?

Febi Bilstein - Euro Car Parts UK?s No.1 Car Parts Retailer

This is the one i have but not fitted as i couldnt get a socket on, be interested how you get on.

Timing Chain Tensioner 4.4 BMW (Genuine) LHP000050 8510259 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

holidaychicken said:

Cheers Wammers.

Ant, i am trying to find a little vid i took of the cam chain but i could get hold of the chain and lift it up and down.
if i wanted to replace the tensioner, can that be done with just the cam covers off or is more involved than that.

Apologies for the hijack OP

Click to expand...

Not 100% sure TBH Andy, looking at the position of the little blighter, it is partially covered by the VANOS gear unit....

(tensioner sits in the middle of the cam chain with black 'shoes' on)



FYI...the main chain tensioner can be seen at bottom-middle of the photo

Does nobody to a mod to get rid of VANOS?

Saint.V8 said:

Not 100% sure TBH Andy, looking at the position of the little blighter, it is partially covered by the VANOS gear unit....

(tensioner sits in the middle of the cam chain with black 'shoes' on)


FYI...the main chain tensioner can be seen at bottom-middle of the photo

Click to expand...

Thanks Ant, I tried going through Rave but couldn't find the removal of the tensioner on its own. I can't find my little video I made but basically the chain in your pic I could pull up and down away from the tensioner and the other side the tensioner was extended keeping the chain tight. It might not rattle when it's cold and been standing all week as it goes straight to the higher idle and the oils thicker.
What oil do you use ?