GM Ecotec timing tensioners: old and new tensioners dis-assembled, de-activated and re-assembled

[@eeledahc]

Oldie but goodie, Thanks!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Thanks for the excellent video. My engine is a 2.4 L. Ecotec that is in a 2010 Equinox. Always take out the chain tensioner and disassemble it if you have odd DTCs indicating multiple system failures that occur out of the blue. On mine, the dealer had replaced the water pump/balance-shaft chain under a GM secret extended warranty program. The timing chain has to be removed to replace the pump/balance-shaft chain, and after that repair, the timing chain has to be reinstalled and the tensioner reset and the valves retimed. On mine the chain tensioner was either not reset or reset incorrectly, and the fragile-looking detent mechanism(as pictured in this video) was crushed into small metal pieces which over time locked up the tensioner. Then the timing chain, having little tension from the tensioner mechanism, jumped timing, thus triggering the error messages for reduced engine power, check stabilitrak, ABS error, throttle position sensor error, throttle body error, cam/crank sensor correlation error, ultra high pressure in the high pressure fuel system that supplies the fuel injectors, and a host of others. All were caused by the timing chain jumping one or more links. To add to my misery, the normal and properly installed timing chain has colored links for locating the chain on the timing marks on each cam shaft sprocket as well as on the crankshaft. These well-known multi-colored links were not used by the dealership when it reinstalled the timing chain, so there are no “landmarks” on the chain to use in resetting the timing. I was able to drive my car into the dealership on “reduced engine power” to have it checked; it was dead when I went to get it 10 days later. I was handed a $5,700+ estimate for anticipated repairs, and was told that the engine might be blown and that it was junk to them, with no salvage value - it only had 89,000 miles on the odometer and was otherwise in excellent condition. The upshot was they had let the battery die, which they did not notice, and it needed a new chain tensioner and to have the two camshafts reset to the proper timing marks. The chain tensioner was the last thing I checked, and it wasn’t until I disassembled it out of curiosity that I discovered the source of all my car’s problems. Don’t let this happen to you and avoid cars with the Ecotec engine. P.S. if the timing chain is in still place and on the cam sprockets, it is extraordinarily hard for a DIY mechanic to screw in a new or reset chain tensioner, and impossible if the tensioner has already been activated. You have to either insert a dowel into tensioner opening and use it to push back against the mechanism inside the engine to be able to screw it in, or if the valve cover is off, you can use a 24mm open end wrench to turn the exhaust camshaft slightly to get enough chain slack to be able to start screwing the chain tensioner in.

[@shaunroberts7645]

Great video. Thank you for being detailed.

[@stellarboy1]

You saved me a couple bucks. Thank you so much 😊

[@RyanHull76]

Thank You! I accidentally activated mine before it was installed and was worried I broke it. LoL - Great video and explanation!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@salvadorarreguin5923]

Justo lo que quería ver, saludos

[@DirtyMike2011]

Very helpful, thank you. Now wish me luck all goes well and I don't slip timing!

[@luimobilefixes5279]

DirtyMike2011 how did everything go Mike2011?

[@jimssouthwestfloridachanne8349]

Very helpful...Thanks!

[@martinaj9829]

Thanks te amooo me salvaste de una saludos 😘😘😘😘😘❤

[@janetarzan4294]

You left out an important part(showing us how u get the snap ring off with the tool).you showed which tool to use, , but it doesnt come off so easy.i wish you'd have shown us the process of actually using the snap ring tool.

[@buckwilson4167]

So do you activate the new one BEFORE installing it, WHILE installing it, or AFTER installing it?

[@mica122213]

after..

[@cswann8]

So when installing the new style tensioner, is there something you have to do to activate it, or does it activate by itself?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You have to activate it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kISmg4iFgbSXb80 at 10:09

[@1111comment]

@@TheOriginalMechanic any tips on only replacing the tensioner?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

@@1111comment I didn't really look at that but I bet another You Tuber has done it that way.

[@sthomp6464]

Does the new design tensioner have to be tapped from the cam chest to activate it? Or is it self-activating?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Yeah, it still should be tapped on. Although when I put one in, it activated on install. I wouldn't guarantee it though!

[@adrianzamora6785]

I tought the timing tensioner will be activated just spinning the engine a couple times only.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You could be right, but I just followed the instructions.

[@turbot6592]

So you have to take the c clip out so it can be ready.to activate it

[@armandoorozco7876]

Gracias bato

[@tcinala]

I am installing one of these today on my 2004 Saab 9-3. What do you mean it needs to be tapped on?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I show it in the video. The timing chain needs to be given a little jolt near the position of the tensioner to activate it. Otherwise the chain will remain loose. At least this was true on GMs tensioners.

[@fordmondeo3320]

so what is exactly wrong with the old one ? because it really simple design and with the spring its not much that could go wrong

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

The piston didn't seem to always freely move in the body. It wasn't anything totally obvious, but I had few other suspects to explain why the chain had stretched and jumped.

[@mica122213]

@@DillonTurner395 336k here no timing chain work.done yet.

[@joshuaanzell5823]

Lots of brands have different styles

[@krissycoc89]

could this be why mine has a misfire code? im not sure its my first project car

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Seems unlikely. You should look into the ignition circuit with a coil being a likely prospect.

[@mica122213]

bad coil

[@albertogarcia4246]

I need to replace a timing chain guid

[@tbombdabomb]

You showed us how to activate the old tensioner. But, you didn't show how to activate the new one!! Totally why I watched the video. Lol

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

They activate exactly the same way and that may be why I didn't show it. I didn't want to bore anyone...or I'm covering up for absent-mindedness. Thanks for watching

[@King-og4hp]

i had big niose from the engine its 2.4l, i was going to change the chain, but someone told me change the tensioner because it seem gone and the chain is lose and i changed it with the new model not the old one and it works and the big noise gone

[@jamescooper3154]

best thing to do is drill hole in the center from the back tap it to 1/2 and put jack bolt. I have did it on three of them adjust it so the chain don,t flap, more presser you put on the spring tighter it get, you don,t want it too tight just so the chain snug it will work that is a bad way they did it junk in my book jack bolt will stop it from jumping and it works.

[@michellerose8087]

nice thanx man

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome.

[@albertogarcia4246]

hey is there any way I can email u or Txt u I need help w my cavalier

[@zacharyclark1194]

You should re-do this video with overdubbing. Your sound is horribly quiet. I can barely hear you talk with all my volumes at 100%

[@MeaHeaR]

It like A ballpoint pen clikker

[@tonywestvirginia]

Volume sucks!

[@daveyboy8907]

I just got a new one from Gmail part number 12608580 ..Should I be able to pull it out?? New in box and I can pull and push the shaft easily..Is that normal?

[@albertogarcia4246]

timing chain Chevy cavalier

[@music9556]

are these tensioners spring operated or do they use oil pressure too?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

They use oil pressure as well