timing chain tensioner

david_edwards

hi all my 04 2.2 direct has a rattle on startup well its there untill the car watms fully up really once car is fully warmed up the noise goes its like a mettalic clinking noise i was wondering if this could be a timing chain tensioner on its way out and also how big a job is it thanks

evocarlos

it is the sound of the tensioner
if its not a gm one then that could be the issue if its old and no history of being done then change it and/or the chains
its a 5min job for just the tensioner

david_edwards

thanks evocarlos do you not have to take airbox out and drop engine mount and take timing chain case off to get to the tensioner then ?

Dave_Gilbert

Im thinking about putting a gm main tensioner on mine. Did the oil yesterday n i still get a rattle on cold start up.

david_edwards

yea i gave mine full service and changed aux belt rattle still there dont want to take it to garage because it seems so many people are getting mis diagnosed rattle is coming from around the crankshaft pulley area i think its quite a sporadic rattle not continous like its metal catching metal every couple of seconds but goes when its warm i was thinking if it were the chain the noise would always be there and i think when chains loose it sounds like an old diesel starting up which mine doesnt

evocarlos

no its just a 32mm nut down the back of the engine

david_edwards

great il look into it so do you think thats what my problems likely to be

david_edwards

well after seeing a video on this site im now very confident it is the balance chain tensioner at fault anybody any ideas on how big a job it is and how expensive ?

patricks

Where did u see the video do u have a link? Im in the same position atm - Ive read that if u just change the tensioner there is a possibility the chain could jump so its best to hold the cam sprockets if you change tensioner dunno...

david_edwards

the video was on a post about a vx220 tensioner problem evocarlos am i able to just take tensioner out and replace or is it a bigger job than that ?

patricks

title of post please?

david_edwards

if you go to toolbox/technical then cam chains on page 2 theres a post saying vx220 balance chain tensioner replacement expert help needed video is on there

patricks

Great thanks.

Dave_Gilbert

My balance chain tensioner failed on my vevtra c. Easy to fit. Id say if your a novice about 1hour to fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E5HP9q9BRc

patricks

hey dave how do u remove the loom tray on z22se?? - im trying to take the cam cover off so i can check my tensioner and chains but loom tray is blocking a bolt on the side near the oil cap. Have removed two bolts holding loom tray to cam cover facing inlet side already

david_edwards

thanks dave is it a case of taking aux belt of and crankshaft pulley and casing then fitting new balance chain kit or can you just swap the tensioner without going through all that

Dave_Gilbert

U need to remove the engine mount, airbox
Auxillery belt and tensioner
crank pulley and side casing to get access to the chain tenaioner.

I just did the tensioner because the chain kit had only done 3000/3500 miles so swapped it out for a GM 1.

But if i was you n dont know the history, i would do both chain kits n make sure u get a pro to do it. Cos its a big job. @[deleted] is the chain expert.

david_edwards

seen a chain kit on ebay 150 quid for timing and balance kit and local garage has quoted £100 to do the job which also run a taxi firm fleet of vectras so i suppose they will have done the job a few times

Dave_Gilbert

I wouldnt think many of the taxis will be 2.2 petrols.

so i wouldnt bank on it. But if there confident it doing the job you will be fine. 1 thing to note n im sure @[deleted] will confirm this.

is.....
the coloured links which all line up with certain things on the crank n cam sprockets will take a good 100turns to line up again unlike a cambelt which will line up every turn. So may be worth mentioning.

david_edwards

ok thanks dave will mention it