How did I do that?

[enochbell]

Had some chain noise at low idle and on letoff under no load, progressively worse over last few hundred miles. Opened the valve cover,  I found the chain tensionser to be absolutely non-functioning.  I could flip and flop it back and forth and it was obviously not providing any push against the chain (I installed all new about 5 years/5k miles ago).  Not knowing what else to do, I just cracked the 27mm nut and "plink" the tensioner went back to doing it's job.  What did I do, and what was wrong?  How come the easiest repair I ever accomplished is also the one I did by accident?

g


'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[A Dalton]

A good possible is you had a pressure pin/piston hanging up in the retracted position and turning the cap freeded it .. most likely dirt, but I sure would pull it, take the spring and pin out and look for scoring and a good fit as you certinly don't want a chain to snap. If you find any binding, change it. Bleed it well after you get it back together.

 Here is a good link from the archieves..
 http://index.php?topic=3525

 

[enochbell]

Thanks, Arthur, I will pull it next weekend and see about dirt etc., as I recall I found it very difficult to bleed when I first installed it, it may be hanging up somehow.

Best,

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[ja17]

Hello Greg,
This is not uncommon, Arthur nailed it. The tensioner operates in a small area of its range. You probably have a varnish build up at the outer limits of its travel. Just clean it up a little.



Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by enochbell

I installed all new about 5 years/5k miles ago.

Joe,
Would varnish build up after this amount of time/milage?  Just curious at what it takes to cause a problem.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420