Breandawg

Sorry Billan250, just to clarify, is it possible to resolve the issue by removing and reinstalling the tensioner and if necessary rotating the crank to ensure it meets the housing with no resistance?

As I understand it you're saying the tensioner can't be drawn in - perhaps it could with the threaded bolt and wingnut it was originally supplied with?


Sorry for being a pest, I appreciate your help man..getting paranoid about my timing chain now..!

windhund116

Maybe, just put the OEM unit back on, again?

Breandawg

I guess.. though it did seem to be failing..A so called specialist said I was in need of a new timing chain, he denied that the oem tct was a known weakness...

Chuck S

Put the OEM TCT back in the car now.

Sorry to say your "specialist" has little knowledge regarding the S2000 engine. (1) The OEM timing chain tensioner (TCT) is a notorious wear and a replacement OE part will sooner or later wear out as well. (2) The timing chain itself rarely needs replacement. (3) The Ballade TCT is also notorious for overtensioning the chain and consequently damaging the engine.

If needed a new OE TCT is a safe option keeping in mind it will wear out again. Other options are limited in Ireland for now.

-- Chuck

Billman250

I guarantee you didn’t need a chain before, but running the engine with the chain tension 10x more than needed will destroy it in a few miles. If you have only run the engine at idle speed you should be ok.

Do not run the engine any more. A little classic tct chatter will not harm the engine right away, but an overtightened chain will cause irreversible damage.

No matter what method you use to install any tct, the engine has to have room to accommodate it. Being that you drew yours in with the bolts, your chain is tight as a steel rod. The fully compressed unit cannot retract and allow for heat expansion, making it even tighter.

Billman250

-Remove the tct and retract it with the nut and bolt
-temporarily remove the orings, this will aid in checking fit
-install the tct, holding it in with one finger. You may find there is a gap between the tct and the engine
-install one mounting bolt, turn the bolt with your fingers until the bolt head touches the tct. DO NOT draw the tct in with the bolt
-now grab your wrench, and turn the crank clockwise, while holding one finger against the tct
-if the gap closes, and the tct sits flush without your finger on it, then your engine has the room for it
-if you cannot close the gap, the tensioner will shred the chain, sprockets, and the camwheel bushing. Then the top end of the engine will lose all oil pressure and melt the cam towers

Breandawg

I love this forum!

Ok so I immediately followed your advice and withdrew the tensioner right back, reinstalled it first without the seals (slotted straight in having turned the crank a little). When I reinstalled the seals it took a little persuading, nothing major.

I then reinstalled it fully, torqued everything up fully and started the engine... I can't say it sounds any difference really... could it just be valve chatter? I really am paranoid now. As previously mentioned, my timing chain is almost certainly fine... I'd really appreciate if I could call you if you'd like to pm me, I understand it's probably frustrating going back and forth like this. I'm working on the car currently and would like to get this done.

Billman250

Your best bet is to install the oem tensioner, to rule it out.

It is also best to record engine noises 5 feet away from the front of the car, hood closed.

Do a vid now of the car. Then put the oem unit it, and take another vid in this fashion for comparison.

Breandawg

Ok that's what I'll do tomorrow to rule out issues.. only one question - how to retract the oem tensioner?

Billman250

Exactly the same as the ballade.