QuestionQUESTION: You responded saying, "The procedure requires the oil be purged first from the tensioner, and then the tensioner is reset using opposite sides of the 8186 to do it.". I assume you mean the part about flipping the tensioner over as there is nothing on the reverse side of the 8186 tool. Yes I have tried this. Without oil pressure in the tensioner how can the tensioner hold the chain support in place when I try to start the car. I have gone all the way through two cycles turning the chain with the crankshaft (with the tensioner activated), then put everything back together and tried to start the vehicle but the tensioner(which, was new out of the box) jammed and I lost tension on the chain of course. Sometimes the tensioner will jam while turning the crankshaft before the two revolutions of the chain are complete. Is this supposed to happen? When I try to start the car, how long should I hold the key in the start position and allow it to crank. I have the tech manuals which show the timing set up and the tensioner purge/reset process. But my mind just doesn't grasp the concept, I guess, of a pressure tensioner being used with no pressure behind it. When I tried to start it it sounded like the chain got too much slack in it and possibly slipped of the crankshaft sprocket...doesn't that mean I've just lost timing?
ANSWER: Hi Carmen,
Which 'tech manuals' do you have? Yes, I meant turning the cylinder over as one side (with the pin) is for oil purging and the other (without the center pin) is for 'restetting' the tensioner. The tensioner body must 'bottom' against the top edge of the inverted 8186 for it to be properly reset. Failure to do so will cause jamming according to the manual (in bold typeface). A new tensioner would not need the purging, but presumably a new on would still need to be 'set'. I am not familiar with exactly how/when the oil enters the tensioner but it is clear that it should be purged and reset prior to installation or it is likely to jamb. I would try it again and this time hand crank it around quite a few times before trying the starter motor. Let me know if you want the Chrysler factory pages... and tell me you email address if so.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer and consider the nomination question. Thank you
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QUESTION: Okay I have this done I purged it completely. I believe I have reset it now as it bottomed against the top of the inverted 8186 and it is set in the compacted position. I have the manual from alldatapro.com. So from here, theoretically all I should have to do is put everything back together and start her up, right? Or should I activate the tensioner and cycle the chain first? What about all the other items in my previous question, sir?
AnswerHi Carmen,
Does the alldatapro.com procedure include:
"After installing the tensioner and securing it, to then rotate the crank clockwise, slightly to remove timing chain slack?"
And then does it say that you should "activate the tensioner by prying the tensioner arm towards the tensioner, slightly? And then release the tensioner arm. And then verify that the tensioner is activated?" If you haven't purposely activated the tensioner as described, that may be your problem. The oil is put into the tensioner after the engine starts running, evidentally.
"After installation or a reset tensioner, engine noise will occur after initial start-up. The noise will disappear after 5-10 seconds"
All this appears relevant, but in the procedure it also includes the steps prior to installing the tensioner, and about installing the cam shaft sprockets (which are now done, of course) after installing the tensioner, and then activating the tensioner. I don't think you would need to re-do any of that. But I still wonder if the alldata is complete. Do you want the Chrysler manual pages?
Interestingly, the Chrysler manual doesn't suggest turning the crank by hand for a revolution or about, so I wonder if that might not be a problem as well. It seems to suggest that if you followe the procedure you can simply try the starter motor. But maybe there is something faulty about your preceding steps.
Again, wouldn't you like a copy of the pages?
Roland
PS Thanks for the rating, nomination, and kind remarl. You may do it again, if you like.
