Question about 2002 Dodge Intrepid

I just had my water pump changed and when everything was all finished I was told to start my car. Well it started right up but it sounded like the chain was dragging on metal. I opened the front plate and you can see that the tensioner never opened up, the arm that moves still had a little play in it. I took out the Primary timing chain Tensioner and you can tell its either sticking or it just won't open all the way! I bought a new one and replaced it, I don't know how to get it to set itself again. They do come reset already! Now what do I do?

1 Answer

Here is the procedure for the tensioner:

Remove the tensioner from the tensioner housing.
Place the check ball end of the tensioner into the shallow end of the Tensioner Resetting Special tool 8186.
Using hand pressure, slowly depress the tensioner until oil is purged from the cylinder.
Reinstall the tensioner into the tensioner housing.

Position the cylinder plunger into the deeper side of the Tensioner Resetting special tool 8186.
Apply a downward force until the tensioner is reset.
WARNING Ensure that the tensioner is properly reset. The tensioner body must be bottomed against the top edge of the Tensioner Resetting Special tool 8186. Failure to properly perform the resetting procedure may cause tensioner jamming.

Install the chain tensioner into the right cylinder head.
At the right cylinder head, insert a 3 / 8 in. square drive extension with a breaker bar into the intake camshaft drive hub. Rotate the camshaft until the camshaft hub aligns with the camshaft sprocket and damper attaching holes. Install the sprocket attaching bolts and torque to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
Turn the left camshaft by inserting a 3 / 8 in. square drive extension with a breaker bar into the intake camshaft drive hub. Rotate the camshaft until the camshaft hub aligns with the camshaft sprocket and damper attaching holes. Install the sprocket attaching bolts and torque to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
If necessary, rotate the engine slightly clockwise to remove any slack in the timing chain.
To arm the timing chain tensioner: Use a flat-bladed prytool to gently pry the tensioner arm towards the tensioner slightly. Then, release the tensioner arm. Verify the tensioner extends.

Posted on Oct 04, 2010

2 more comments
Jimmy Rozzo Oct 04, 2010

I did buy a new tensioner and was told it is fully reset. What I need to know is, after I place it back in the hole or the housing it goes in, what do I do next? I need to take the valve cover off to open the tensioner?
Jeffrey Turcotte Oct 04, 2010

I don't see any reason to take the valve cover off. You just need to get the tensioner to release. It says to pry the arm toward the tensioner. I would just push against the chain there to get it to open. If it won't release, you may have to take it out and see why it isn't releasing. Once you get it to release and reinstalled, I would doublecheck the timing marks at TDC. OK?
Jimmy Rozzo Oct 05, 2010

I'm trying to tell everybody that I just Bought a Brand new Tensioner because the old one would'nt open all the way. The old one was stuck halfway open and that left my Timing Chain Loose. When I replaced the Tensioner in the hole, and pressed the Tension arm against it, it still will not open so that the chain would tighten up! What do I do?
Jeffrey Turcotte Oct 05, 2010

yes, I understand, but what I suggested is that if you cannot get it to release you will have to take it back out to see why.