Timing chain tensioner

[john rhodes]

Hi all, I fitted a new timing chain over a year ago and all seemed fine. It was done just as a "we will fit a new chain just to make sure we know it is ok " job. Its been a long long resto but is now nearing completion and hope to have her on the road in April.
The thing is, there now appears to be quite a " Ticking" noise when the engine is revved up and it sounds like its coming from the timing chain cover. There is no noise when ticking over though.
Can the tensioner have stuck in possibly ?
Could it be something else ?
Does anyone have any ideas about the problem ?
I hope so.
Kind regards John

[nick]

Engine noise are really hard to diagnose. About the only thing around the chain that could produce a ticking sound would be the a bent sprocket bracket hitting or maybe a chain tensioner or sprocket if one of those is loose. You may be able to see the sprocket bracket if you take off the oil cap and look inside. Also if you run it with the oil cap off you may get a better handle on the origin of the sound. I chased one of these and replaced the chain guides only to find it was piston slap and I had to change out the #1 piston. Hopefully that's not your problem.

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nick
'79 TR7 DHC
'76 TR7 FHC

[john 215]

Hi John,

Did you set the clearance on the tensioner using the top guide ? They don't normally stick and you would have constant rattle even on idle.

You tried running her without the alternator belt on, possible viscous coupling or alternator ?

Does it do it at a certain RPM or as you rev the engine up, ie. can you keep the noise present if you hold it at a certain rpm ?


Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

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[Stag76]

There are 2 types of tensioner...one that is released when a spacer is pulled out, and one that has a removable stud that allows an allen key to be inserted to release the plunger.
On the sprint motor I had, the cam chain joiner was inserted from the wrong side, and was touching the cover at one point causing a click/tap that was at half engine speed. This may not foul on an 8v engine.

TR7 Convertible
Sprint Motor
MegaSquirt EFI

[john rhodes]

Hi, and thank you for all your suggestions.
At least now I have some ideas to work with.
Lets hope I can trace it before April !!!
Cheers, and thanks again. John

[John Clancy]

I usually find the cause of any ticking is a warped valve bucket. A very common fault and always worth checking before re-assembling the engine. Probably a bit late now but as it's just the camshaft that needs to come out it's not the end of the world if that is the cause.

To check, I hold two cam buckets up against each other side by side. If daylight can be seen anywhere between the two then one of them is junk.

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