How to add the Timing Chain Tensioner
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2026 6:40 pm
Hi, I'm sure this has been covered in the forum but I can't seem to find the details.
I've got oil leaking out of the front of the engine so need to replace the seals, and given it's a radiator-out job my plan is to replace the timing chain at the same time (possibly including the gears, no idea what state they might be in), add a timing chain tensioner and a harmonic damper crank pulley.
I know I need the kidney-shaped timing cover for the tensioner, but I can't find details of what else needs to be modified? I believe another couple of holes are needed in the front plate of some sort?
If there's details already here (as I suspect) then please point me at them, I'm trying to get the shopping list together to get all the parts at once rather than leave the car stuck off the road for weeks!
The reason I'm looking at replacing the chain even though it isn't rattling horribly is I would rather not have to pull the car apart again anytime soon, and the car was off the road between 2000 and 2024 which is why all of the rubber everywhere has got so bad.
I've got oil leaking out of the front of the engine so need to replace the seals, and given it's a radiator-out job my plan is to replace the timing chain at the same time (possibly including the gears, no idea what state they might be in), add a timing chain tensioner and a harmonic damper crank pulley.
I know I need the kidney-shaped timing cover for the tensioner, but I can't find details of what else needs to be modified? I believe another couple of holes are needed in the front plate of some sort?
If there's details already here (as I suspect) then please point me at them, I'm trying to get the shopping list together to get all the parts at once rather than leave the car stuck off the road for weeks!
The reason I'm looking at replacing the chain even though it isn't rattling horribly is I would rather not have to pull the car apart again anytime soon, and the car was off the road between 2000 and 2024 which is why all of the rubber everywhere has got so bad.