I am in the process of changing out my valve stem seals and am still disassembling the head. I took off the timing chain tensioner bolt on the left side of the engine (om617). My Hayes (I know I should get a fsm) manual says there is a spring behind this bolt. With the bolt removed I can still move the tensioner and have it spring back. What am I missing!

I meant to say the bolt was on the right (passenger side) of the engine.

It's tensioned by oil pressure. The spring is just for no oil pressure situations like when the engine is not running.

Hey Pratt-
Welcome to the forum.
Different model years have different parts. Since we don't know what vehicle your asking about it's difficult to answer your question.

Go to the USER CP and add the info in your profile. Then you don't have to worry about it anymore.

Danny

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IIRC, the tensioner housing must be removed entirely. If I am understanding you correctly you have removed the cap that covers/contains the spring and the spring is out? If so the tensioner assembly must be removed completely to take all tension off the timing chain. The piston that the oil pressure pushes against that then puts pressure on the timing chain guide rail is spring loaded. It also has a ratcheting device to hold a maximum clearance on the timing chain. To reset this device or remove all tension from the chain the whole tensioner must be removed. RT

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