Thanks. That's the kind of perspective I needed to hear on this. Much appreciated.

It is an intermittent sound: like maybe 1 in 10 starts.

Ferdman says no oil pressure on start up in tensioner: first time I heard this was after an oil change, ie when there was no oil in the top of the engine for a moment(?)

So do tensioners need TLC from time to time? I don't know how they work but I am imagining some kind of spring loaded plunger?

Thanks again.

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1988 420SEL