Toyota MR2 Spyder / Roadster 1ZZ Engine Chain Tensioner Oil Seal Replacement

Got oily gunk running down your Toyota 1ZZ engine to the side of the exhaust manifold? Its likely that your chain tensioner oil seal needs replacing. it only costs a few quid and takes about twenty minutes max to replace so get on it.
The video went side ways at the bit where I removed the tensioner but hey you guys and girls can work it out. when putting it back in you need to work between each bolt a bit at a time to squeeze the seal back into place evenly.

[@LupinYonderboy]

Make sure you crank anti clockwise. I did wrong first time which didn't engage the tensioner and could have buggered the valve train.

[@DadDiaries]

True story right there! Glad it all worked out ok

[@LupinYonderboy]

@@DadDiaries It did, This was the first bit of mechanical maintenance I've ever done really and although it was a simple job, it could have been catastrophic. I started the engine after thinking I'd engaged the tensinoer ( but hadn't ) and after a few revs I started to hear some metallic noises which I feared where valves hitting pistons but which was probably the chain flopping around inside. Re did the whole process and worked fine the second time. One tip I got from the very helpful UK Roadster owners facebook group was to simply put the car in gear and rock it to engage the tensioner, this way you don't need to hand crank. Thanks for the video anyway, great content.

[@autocrossracer8320]

Are you sure it's anti-clockwise? All the other videos seem to say it's clockwise

[@heilong79]

@@autocrossracer8320 dont forget the engine is backwards on the MR2.

[@autocrossracer8320]

Chris McEvoy it is, but the other videos were still speaking from the perspective of looking at the crank pulley so it should be the same. It is only mounted intake side facing the front of the car. I engaged my tensioner by rotating it clockwise. I’m not sure if it matters which way as long as it does get engaged.

[@isoconfused8744]

Ive moved the pulley several times, I put the tentioner in correct... didnt hear a click etc what would happen if I started the engine?

[@DadDiaries]

The chain will sound rattley in its guide. Just take it out and check it. You might find it's unlatched but you didn't hear it. If you take it back out just reset and put back in

[@anthonyyarde6003]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to do this? In order to access the crank pulley at the end of the procedure, do you need to remove the plastic undertray?

[@DadDiaries]

+Anthony Yarde hi, thanks for your feedback. My MR2 didn't come with one fitted...I guess the previous owner removed it. If you have a look under the rear of the car and can't see the crankshaft pully or get a spanner to it then I would say yes you do. Have a check and if you need to I'll send you a diagram for removing it :)

[@anthonyyarde6003]

+Dad Diaries Thanks for coming back to me. I managed to get access to the crankshaft without removing the tray. This has saved me a small fortune as local garage quoted me £400! Thanks again.

[@DadDiaries]

+Anthony Yarde no problem. if the videos help just one person and save them some cash I'm happy. £400!!! wow...find another garage....or better still do it all yourself! just in the middle of a brake system refurbished at the moment.....doing my head in but it'll get there....vids coming on that one :)

[@robwagstaff]

Mark, did you do the Viton O ring swap yet? I used the Toyota O ring, it failed, so Ive bought a new tensioner with the Viton O ring. Interested to know your experience

[@DadDiaries]

I haven't yet swapped it out... I'll do it in the next few weeks when I service it. A lot of people have advised it cured the leak from the rear of the tensioner. I should probably buy a new tensioner as well come to think of it. 👍

[@robwagstaff]

Dad Diaries thanks for the video, really useful. Will mine this afternoon. I don’t have a torque wrench so will go carefully

[@DadDiaries]

No worries glad you found it useful. Yeah just go easy... Doesn't need much, if you do it FT you'll risk it shearing the head off.

[@robwagstaff]

Swapped out with new tensioner and the Viton O Ring (it came supplied with the Toyota O Ring fitted and the Viton loose) I noted I could not push the new tensioner all the way in, it stopped as it contacted the O ring. So, I gently eased the 10MM nuts half a turn each alternately so that it went in square. Turned the crank quarter of a turn anti clockwise and heard the click of the piston release. So far so good. Thanks again for the video

[@DadDiaries]

No worries, the greatest thing with these video for me is that they help someone out :) 👍

[@philzvids3577]

Do you need to re-time the engine after doing this job? A garage told me that you do.

[@DadDiaries]

PhilzVids nope! Just swap out and drive off lol

[@robwagstaff]

No but you must ensure the piston in the tensioner is extended and is adding tension onto the chain. This is done by a 19mm socket on the crank pulley, turning it anti-clockwise about half a turn until you hear the audible “click” of the piston being released from the clip

[@rezR2]

Did you ever find a better o ring gasket then the one that failed @daddiaries

[@DadDiaries]

I bought the stock Toyota one....that's failed again so I've bought an upgrade version...vid on that very shortly

[@darylhatherrley5765]

Does the engine have to be lined up like it does to change timing chain?

[@DadDiaries]

No it doesn't 🙂

[@darylhatherrley5765]

@@DadDiaries Thanks :)

[@DadDiaries]

No worries 😁

[@Jonathan-us4ig]

I think the torque spec is 80 INCH lb, 9nm etc.

[@treer0d]

Jonathan 😂 “80FT LBS?!?!?”

[@heilong79]

I snapped a stud when reassembling, my stupid torque wrench never clicked.

[@DadDiaries]

Bad times. My son just bought me another torque wrench as he said mine was so old Noah made it haha

[@heilong79]

@@DadDiaries yeah, i was replacing my exhaust and had the seal for the tensioner so thought as it being such a quick job I might as well, I knew something did not feel right when tightening but it never gave much resistance and then snap.

[@DadDiaries]

@@heilong79 ughh that moment when it gives way and you realise what's happened....the worst!

[@heilong79]

@@DadDiaries I finally got a replacement stud and will be doing this job when I get home, What gear is the car in?

[@SeekTheTruthNow-Freedom]

@@DadDiaries there could be some ambiguity with the "80 ft ibf" which i think should read 80 inch pounds. 80ft-lbs would probably do the job of snapping a stud that size.