I can't get my new Hydraulic Tensioner back in on my 85 300D...

[Carrameow]

I replaced my Hydraulic Tensioner wile redoing my chain and it doesn't go back in. (BTW The new tensioner comes without a spring and the 19mm cap that bolts on the outside and I guess we should reuse our existing spring and cap...)
The telescoping part of it pressing on the Banana Slide prevents it from mating to the side of the cylinder head. I have never remembered this happening before.
I tried to lightly tap the telescoping head back in with a rubber hammer, but it won't retract. I read somewhere there's a trick to this. The Frankenstein solution of trying to mate it to the block by slowly tightening down on the mounting bolts and compressing the telescoping part--I know enough not to do that.
There's a trick here and embarrassing enough I cannot remember it...though once I did a workaround by removing the camshaft gear and then I put it back on. Can anyone jog my memory?

[Carrameow]

so much for driving the car tomorrow --!!

[barry123400]

The newer one has a ratcheting action either as a safety feature or to keep it backing up when empty. Probably quite stiff when new. If I guess right you have to disengage it somehow to retract. Try dropping hunter a note. He might know. I do not. The factory service manual either on line or if you have one should explain the proceedure as well. Sorry I cannot help. Perhaps someone with more knowledge will respond. I also may be misunderstanding the problem. Would not be the first time for that.

[Carrameow]

Originally Posted by barry123400

The newer one has a ratcheting action either as a safety feature or to keep it backing up when empty. .

Thats what I think it is...sighhhhhhhhh

[rg2098]

Thats how I broke my old one. They ratchet. Use a screw driver or punch and push the end straight out, then stick it back in through the hole where the bolt goes. It's simply a one way ratchet. There is a bit on a "blockage" when fully retracted to it won't fly out if the spring is still in. Just give the screwdriver or punch a good tap and it should come right out.

[Mustang_man298]

I have heard mention of these ratcheting tensioners before. I believe the cure for your dilemma is:

1. Remove cap and spring.
2. Push tensioner plunger out in direction of tension (would be toward chain)
3. install tensioner housing on engine, insert plunger, then spring, then press cap into place over spring and tighten cap. (tensioner should ratchet itself out to proper preload on chain as you squeeze spring.

If anyone else knows something I forgot, chime in, but I'm pretty sure this was the procedure I'd seen.

-Chris 80 240D w/617

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Mustang_man298

I have heard mention of these ratcheting tensioners before. I believe the cure for your dilemma is:

1. Remove cap and spring.
2. Push tensioner plunger out in direction of tension (would be toward chain)
3. install tensioner housing on engine, insert plunger, then spring, then press cap into place over spring and tighten cap. (tensioner should ratchet itself out to proper preload on chain as you squeeze spring.

That's exactly the procedure required...........

[mharison]

YOu take it apart and reassemble it from the back, ie take the tensioner piston out the front an reinsert from the back.