Engine Mechanical
Timing Chain Tensioner
A timing chain tensioner keeps steady pressure on the timing chain so it does not slap or jump teeth. We list 35 tensioners from $16 to $160 for 1994-2012 vehicles, from Cloyes, Mopar, Melling and SKP, with many for the Dodge Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 and others for the Volkswagen Passat.
Shop timing chain tensioner by vehicle
How chain tensioners fail
Most chain tensioners use engine oil pressure, often with a spring, to push a guide against the chain. When the internal ratchet or seals wear, the tensioner cannot hold the chain tight at start up before oil pressure builds.
The typical symptom is a rattle from the front of the engine for a few seconds after a cold start. Left unchecked, a slack chain can wear guides, jump timing and set camshaft correlation codes.
Position and type
V6 and V8 engines often have several tensioners for the primary and secondary chains. Listings show positions such as right upper, left upper, left lower or center. Match the location to the tensioner you are replacing.
Types include hydraulic and mechanical tensioners, and some come with a mounting bracket. Many hydraulic units ship locked with a pin, which you pull after installation to release the plunger.
Fitting advice
Some tensioners thread into the outside of the block or head and can be changed without removing the front cover. Others sit behind the timing cover and are best replaced with the chain and guides.
Use new gaskets or sealing washers and torque to spec. If your old tensioner had worn into its guide, inspect the guides and chain while you are there. Confirm your engine code in the fitment table.
Timing Chain Tensioner questions
What does a bad timing chain tensioner sound like?
Usually a rattle or slapping noise from the front of the engine for a few seconds after a cold start, which fades once oil pressure builds.
Do I need to remove the timing cover to replace the tensioner?
It depends on the engine. Some tensioners screw in from the outside of the block or head, while others are behind the timing cover. Check the service information for your engine.
Should I replace the chain with the tensioner?
If the chain is stretched or the guides are worn, yes. If the rattle is only from a weak tensioner on a healthy chain, the tensioner alone may be enough.