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Search forum for "failed hydraulic tensioner".

 

I agree with the Tensioner. My 06 made that exact sound at 94k miles. I went ahead and had the TB, WP and tensioners replaced. No more noise.

 

ugh...not really what I wanted to hear.

 

You must be due for a timing belt service? Might as well tackle this noisy tensioner at the same time.

 

Timing belt was done at 105k...I'm at 125k right now.

 

Could it be valve noise? Can this be isolated with a mechanic's stethoscope?

 

thats what I thought esp since it goes away after its warmed up. I would think the tensioner would make the noise all the time vs after the van was warmed up???

I'm going to try and get to the tensioner this weekend and see if I can see it jumping around and making noise.

I wonder if the tensioner can be replaced without removing the belt? anyone know?

 

Technically speaking, you can replace the tensioner without removing the timing belt. You can also save a bunch of steps, like removing the engine mount. The tensioner is behind the lower timing belt cover, so if you can avoid taking off upper covers, do that. Unfortunatelly you still have to remove the crank bolt to do the job. I would also double check the timing after you are done.
Good luck,
Max

 

I will bet it's the auto tensioner as mine made the same racket at start up and as it warmed up it went away. There is a video clip of someones auto tensioner on here or maybe youtube where we can actually see the tensioner bouncing off the pulley and making the racket. You could examine your's the same way and either rule in or out the tensioner.

You have to remove the belt to replace the tensioner. Sorry. But if you want some sunny news thats the easiest part of the project.

 

The tensioner does stop once it warms up, mine did that too. It's easy to tell between tensioner and valve tap. If you go under the car when it's doing it and the noise is the tensioner, it's obvious that it's below and not up in the valves.

 

 

Ahh you're right about removing the belt I was still half asleep when I replied this morning. My mistake.