Last August I had the timing chain on my '92 4runner replaced at about 202k miles. Lately, I notice a brief rattle when I start the engine after it has been shut off for a while - e.g., in the morning when it has sat overnight and when partly warm after sitting for an hour or more. The rattle lasts about 1 second. I had the valve cover off on the 4th to adjust the valves: chain and guides look good, like new. The engine now has 214k miles and runs great otherwise. I am wondering if the tensioner is behind this brief rattle: should I replace it? Any advice is appreciated.

 

what oil filter are you using?

 

I use Toyota filters bought from the dealer.

 

That is normal. It takes a second for the oil to push the tensioner.

 

Hope you didn't over torque the bolts

 

That generally happens when you A. Over torque the bolts, or B. use an aftermarket tensioner. I learned the hard way not to do either.

 

This is exactly right. The first is just taking your time and the second you just need to be careful of the parts. You can use non-OEM tensioners if you know that they are good quality (Japanese made, for example, is one thing to look for). I figured this out the hard way, too... I just rebuilt my engine this winter and it doesn't rattle on start-up at all. Before the timing chain failure it did rattle similar to a diesel at start-up.

 

My mechanic didn't replace the tensioner. I will ask him about the torque issue, and will check maintenance records supplied by the former owner to see if the tensioner was replaced when the original chain was replaced, about 100k miles ago.

 

Reviving an old one here but does anyone know the torque so I dont overtighten it?

Andy

 

Enggg.....a reused tensioner.



This is how one looks after the second time around.

 

What torque specs are you guys referring to BTW? Torque on the timing chain guides? tensioner?

 

The tensioner bolts.......@14ft/lbs.

(Silly me....didn't notice the origin date of this thread)

 

Thread resurrection:

My truck does the same thing, except it has a new Toyota tensioner and I torqued the bolts to 14ft/lbs...

Toyota filters... It consistently does it, have done multiple oil changes...t-chain was done about 8k ago...

Any other ideas?