Most liked posts in thread: What NOW Part II - Timing Chain

Replaced the tensioner today; another pig of a job...

Yes, I know it's easy, but not if you have big hands, are doing the job for the first time, can't bloody SEE what you're doing, and drop the new tensioner while trying to get it into the hole and have to jack up the car to find it (lodged behind the oil filter housing...). No way could I get my 3/8" drive torque wrench in with room to tighten the plug up, so I just softened the copper washer up by heating it and did the plug up as tight as I could. It'll do, I reckon, but I'll check for an oil seep after a couple of weeks running, just to be on the safe side.

It's a b****r of a job; like the thermostat and housing replacement, damn-all space to work in and everything gets in the way of everything else - a true successor to the original mini...

The rattle has gone, so it's sorted. I did find one easy job; adjusting the front window so it seats properly when closed. Hurrah!

Now I just wait to see what goes wrong next...

 

The rattle stopped...

It was back next start, though not nearly as bad, which tells me that it's the tensioner rather than the chain guide. I've ordered a new Febi tensioner, and can fit that myself.