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YOUR RESEARCHIms tensioner oil leak - how to fix?
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Just glad I gave the wok a darn good clean before using it, so I could refill with the same oil.
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Hello all, got car on lift today, seems oil leak is from ims chain tensioner seal. Can this be undone, new alloy washer fitted and refitted without any timing issues?
I'm assuming this is not related to an imminent ims bearing failure???
Thx again for all inputs.
I need to do this too.
Googling around, some say you need to lock the cams, some say just whip it out.
Thats why i've not done it yet! (only a slight weep, not getting any worse).
I think there is a revised tensioner you can put in too, that has a spring in it to prevent chain slap on first startup.
Let us know how yo get on.
OK after discussing with several specialists the concensus was to peg engine at tdc (just in case) , undo ims chain tensioner and remove, change rubber o ring (£5!) and aluminiuim sealing ring , refit, torq up.
Did this at weekend and oil leak fixed, engine runs fine, no leaks - phew. The ali sealing ring had corroded in several areas allowing oil to escape.
Can the forum confirm that this the later tensioner design in keeping with timing chain up grade (mines a 99my 3.4)
Some info here:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/37799-chain-tensioners-for-1999-996-m96/
I'd say yours looks like it has a spring!
The TSB linked in post #13 above indicates the change to a sprung tensioner came in to production on 15th august 2000, and has a diagram of the difference.
More info here:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/41236-updated-chain-tensioner/
Makes it clear "upgrading" a tensioner to a newer type might be a bad idea anyway.
Also other people seem to just peg the engine as you did.
I started with a leak a couple of days before Christmas. Had a look and noticed the IMS chain tensioner weeping. Got some new seals delivered next day and just bobbed down my unit to swap the tensioner Aluminium seal ring over. Only problem was I read somewhere you didn't need to drain the oil. NOT TRUE! :x
Fortunately I had a wok underneath to catch any drips. Once I pulled out the tensioner it was like someone pulled the plug out the slop stone. So it ended up a quick dash, swap the seal and screw the tensioner back in quick sticks. Just managed to get it back in before the wok over-filled. Just glad I gave the wok a darn good clean before using it, so I could refill with the same oil. Took an hour to do start to finish. :thumbs:
Think this was deffo the culprit looking at the 'wear' on it.
