Timing Chain/Tensioner issue

[81eagle]

I did timing chains on my '01 and was very satisfied the results.....for about 250mi. The engine started making a rattling sound when warm at idle. The noise continues even off idle and worst at about 2000rpm. I installed a mechanical oil psi gauge to verify oil pres was not the problem. It holds about 20lbs at idle warm and instantly hits 40+ off idle. It jumps to 55+ at cold start. I pulled the belt off to verify it wasn't an accessory causing the noise. It wasn't.

I pulled the engine to verify cam timing and no slipped sprockets. All OK. I noticed that when barring the engine over the rear cassette flops open and closed. Like the tensioner doesn't hold enough pressure on it to maintain tension. The engine also when being barred over has resistance from compression, then goes free just briefly, and this is when the cassette flops. The front cassette does not do this. You can also see where the cassette has contacted the head from the flopping action.

I feel this is my problem. I used shop air to blow into oil passage that feeds the tensioner and it is clear straight to the filter base. No restrictions found.

The engine ran absolutely flawless for those first 200mi. Any input?

 

[RonD]

Tensioner should have a spring inside to hold tension when there is no oil pressure so I would say bad tensioner.

 

[81eagle]

Tensioner should have a spring inside to hold tension when there is no oil pressure so I would say bad tensioner.

I hear ya and it does. I am thinking the same thing. I must say the old tensioner and the new have about the same resistance when pressed. I just don't want to put engine in again just to remove for the 3rd time.

Shouldn't oil psi compensate for the spring during operation?

 

[RonD]

Yes, they are hydraulic tensioners

 

[81eagle]

I really appreciate your responses. I just saw on a Youtube video that the tensioners have to be primed. I was not aware that when I assembled the Cloyes timing components. Is it necessary? I mean it ran great for couple hundred miles. I put the OTC fax tensioner in it which has considerably more spring tension, and the cassette didn't flop around when barring the engine over. Do you think I may have an oiling issue?

Thanks for all your help. I really don't want to put the engine back in just to pull it back out again. Have you heard of anyone else having this issue with the Cloyes set?

 

[RonD]

Not sure what they mean by "priming it", you would soak it in oil like you would hydraulic lifters.

And yes, if that was the issue then it wouldn't have been fine for those few hundred miles.

Not sure how disassembled the engine is but you could use a drill to run oil pump without that tensioner in place to make sure you got oil flowing out of its feed hole, Air is good, oil is better