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?

[paulseau]

I have the same noise. I reckon the majority of Mirage owners don't boser what's going on under bonnet. The typical owner of the ordinary car in 21 century and consumers society don't care how this 4 wheel staff sounds. That's what I see around me.
I have the saame noise on the cold start and a bit longer after oil change. I use Mobil synthetic 5W30 and Ryco oil filter on my 2013 Mirage with 40k on odometer. It was from the first start when I bought it with 25k on odometer. It's definatelly timing chain. I have heard the same noise on the other cars from othe car makers.
Sometimes this sound last aboud a second or two sometimes none at all. I don't know why such difference is. What I noticed that if I park the car with the right inclain or with the right and forward inclain the noise will be as mentioned above, 1, 2 sec or none at all. The opposite car orientations lead to worst.
I don't think that it harms engine at all. Fortunatelly Mirage doesn't have the high revs on the cold start as some of the others cars have. Anyway would be good to fix it. I agree with some of the guys here that the oil filter needs to be with good back flow valve, but I believe the real problem is that the tesioner doesn't work properly by designe. Maybe replace it someday, see what's happens.

[Fummins]

So you’re saying the ratchet mechanism in your tensioner is broken? Neat

[paulseau]

If this question to me, I am not sure. Technically the ratchet part of the tensioner should keep the "push rod" as close to chain as possible while engine doesn't work, which is obvious. But it is not in my case. Some time there isn't nose at all some time a second on cold start. I did have old Pajero with 2.6L 4G54 engine. There was a tensioner similar like we talk about but without ratchet. I had exact the same noise on cold start.
I replaced oil recently, found and installed a better oil filter and Looks like got better.
Would be interesting to pull tensioner out some day and take look closer on it.

[Mark]

If this question to me, I am not sure. Technically the ratchet part of the tensioner should keep the "push rod" as close to chain as possible while engine doesn't work, which is obvious. But it is not in my case. Some time there isn't nose at all some time a second on cold start. I did have old Pajero with 2.6L 4G54 engine. There was a tensioner similar like we talk about but without ratchet. I had exact the same noise on cold start.
I replaced oil recently, found and installed a better oil filter and Looks like got better.
Would be interesting to pull tensioner out some day and take look closer on it.

The strange chatter at start up is just part of the Mirage charm.

Brand new Mirages do it. I highly doubt you can eliminate it, but good luck trying.

I think parking with the front end facing downhill helps for longer periods of being parked. Outside of that, I don't think a better oil filter makes a difference.

If you're successful, I look forward to hearing about it.