What does a cam chain tension problem sound like ?

[JohnW63]

For some time now, my 95 3.2L SHO has had this random sounding rattle from the drivers side top of the motor. I have found quite a few posts about noise and what it might be. I was wondering if it could be described or a sound clip posted. From the location, I suspect something to do with the chain on that side. I saw the post with SDPat's worn tensioner, and I'm trying to recall what mine looked like, when I had the valve covers off, but I can't remember it was anything THAT worn ! I have about 150K on the motor.

If my leaks are fixed, ( See other post about leaks ) I would like to stop this noise. I normally only hear it, in drive through lanes , when the sound echos off the building.

 

[SuperHO]

Sounds like you're dead on. Just replace it, and if that's not the problem, then by God, consider it preventive maintenance.


Just make sure you get the cam timing right....

 

[JohnW63]

Is the tensioner work just by spring pressure or by oil, like a hydrolic lifter ?

 

[Eric VerValin]

Hydraulic.. some have luck cleaning them out.. I just had too much wear on my pads and had to replace mine.





There is actually 2 different types of plastic I've seen... this is what I replaced.. just a little too chewed for me to put into my rebuilt shiny heads.. lol

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Ah, you just wanted everything inside the engine new, since the block was new . . . .

Hydraulic.. some have luck cleaning them out.. I just had too much wear on my pads and had to replace mine.

[deleted]

There is actually 2 different types of plastic I've seen... this is what I replaced.. just a little too chewed for me to put into my rebuilt shiny heads.. lol

:wave:

 

[JohnW63]

Since it seems these are also no longer made, how would I get a new one ?

Would they work less well, if the oil pressure was low. With my leaks, it was not uncommon for the car to be a bit low on oil.

 

[rubydist]

I think they work less well if they get varnished up because of poor oil or not changing it often enough, etc.

 

[IM Buddy8]

I shoulda changed mine when I had valve cover off.. it wasn't worn looking like the pics he posted it was still smooth and I'm not sure if it's supposed to be like this but if I remember right it felt different then the one that was sitting a few feet away allready apart on another mtx motor... tension was different then my atx

 

[JohnW63]

I think they work less well if they get varnished up because of poor oil or not changing it often enough, etc.

Does Penzoil 5w-30 count as poor oil ?

Not changing it enough ? Guilty. I ended up topping it off too much.

I ran it around today, even in Drive-thru and I didn't hear the noise. I'll keep my ear on it. It was completely drained of oil ( Sat in garage for 2 weeks with oil pan off for most of it. ) and 5 quarts of fresh oil put in, when I was done with the leak fix project .

 

[SHOtimer]

Pennzoil is one of the worst oils you can put in your motor. Use Castrol, or Valvoline - and anything, but a Fram filter.

The tensioners have springs inside of them, and they are also fed by oil pressure. Most of the time you can take them apart and clean out all the gunk and get many more quiet miles out of them. Or you can replace them - and get new chains, except that is quite a bit more expensive.

Doug