2001 Oldsmobile Alero Timing Chain Tensioner

CLUTCH414

MEMBER
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

How do you release the timing chain tensioner shoe. It says to use retainer clip plyers to engage the hole and remove. I engage the hole and can't figure out how the thing comes off. What's the trick?

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 AT 11:27 AM

1 Reply

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Hello clutch414
Thanks for the donation.

Here are the instructions you requested.

Disconnect neg. Battery cable. Remove front cover. Rotate crankshaft in normal direction of rotation (clockwise, as viewed from front of engine) until cylinder No.1 is at TDC of compression stroke.

The camshaft sprocket dowel pin hole should line up with holes on timing chain housing. The crankshaft sprocket keyway should point upward. Remove timing chain guides. Raise and support vehicle. Make sure slack in chain is above tensione assembly, then remove chain tensioner.

Timing chain must be disengaged from any wear grooves in tensioner shoe before removing shoe. Slide screwdriver blade between chain and tensioner shoe, while pulling shoe outward (this should disengage chain from wear grooves in shoe). If timing chain shoe is still difficult to remove, do the following.

Lower vehicle. Hold intake camshaft sprocket with Sprocket Wrench (J-39579) and remove sprocket bolt. Remove washer from bolt and rethread bolt into camshaft by hand. Remove camshaft sprocket using a 3-jaw puller. DO NOT attempt to pry sprocket off, or damage will result.

Remove tensioner assembly bolts and tensioner. Mark outer surface of timing chain and crankshaft sprocket for reassembly reference. Remove timing chain.