TCT...difficult to replace?

[chrisjm00]

My TCT has gone bad. Friday when the government FINALLY pays me (it's been a month and a half), i'm getting a new TCT, however, the dealership wants to charge exuberant amounts of money to do it. I figured I would just do it myself. How hard is it to replace?

[Clone]

it's incredibly easy with a little bit of mechanical knowledge and the proper tools...

Check the FAQ, it's got a link to a DIY of the install, step by step I posted a while back when I did mine.

actually... I'm feeling generous today, so I'll link you right to it:
DIY: Timing Chain Auto Tensioner install



But seriously... the FAQ is your friend. questions like this one are why I made it.

[chrisjm00]

Cool, thank you. Now I did have one question though, pertaining to something that was in the DIY. It said that the pieces could fall out in the engine because there isn't any tension on the tensioner. How easily do those seperate? I don't want anything to fall apart. And also, you use the old piston and springs with the new tensioner right?

[Clone]

Originally Posted by chrisjm00

And also, you use the old piston and springs with the new tensioner right?

No, the part comes with entirely new piston, springs, everything you need. The reason you're replacing it is because the springs inside have worn over time, and no longer hold the piston with the proper amount of pressure to keep tension on the timing chain.

THe old piston and spring components will slide out of the tensioner housing with some ease... so be careful when you're pulling it out, because they're not held in place with anything...

just another note... dont remove the pin off of the new tensioner until after you've installed it. The pin must be removed through the maintenance hole after the install. If you remove the pin beforehand, you've just wasted a brand new tensioner, cause there isnt any way to get it back in again, and you cant install it otherwise.