anyone have a cam chain tensioner?

**dougyfresh** · 01-18-2009 10:29 AM

I think mine just died. Its making a god awful racket. Noise is coming from the VVT solenoid (cam chain tensioner).

Anyone have one?

**vdubstreets** · 01-18-2009 12:49 PM

sorry man threw mine out, i was getting a code and replaced it but it seemed to be mechanically allright.

Take off your valve cover see if theres alot of slack.

**dougyfresh** · 01-18-2009 02:30 PM

Had the valve cover off yesterday to replace a faulty exhaust cam seal. Everything looks fine.

The more I drive it the more I know this effer is on the way out. The past month or so I've been driving I have heard an annoying rattle at part throttle in the upper RPM band. Nothing at idle. I just thought it was some heat shield rattling due to the acoustics of the exhaust. Now that I can hear the VVT ticking at idle (with the windows closed) Its very similar so I'm pretty confident the VVT is on its way out. 135k on it.

Sounds like a ticking time bomb. I've reviewed everything else in the engine bay and everything else is top notch.

That is the problem. I re-used a lot of the accessories (all the sensors and the VVT solenoid and the crank pulley and stuff.. The internals of the motor are new.) The old shit is finally starting to die. Guess this is what happens when you're making more than double the original power of the motor.

I've got a lead on one solenoid but still looking for one in the event that falls through. Anyone? Not looking to buy a new one outright.

**LampyB** · 01-18-2009 04:55 PM

you sure its not just the cam chain sensor going bad? when my B5 tensioner went bad the racket was at idle, i couldn't even hear it under throttle. it was just running a bit slack at idle because the tensioner itself was going bad and couldn't pick up the slack. it's strange that this is happening to you on the east coast, usually it's out west in the dry atmosphere. how many miles are on the tensioner?

**dirtybrd** · 01-18-2009 05:08 PM

I was going thru the garage Sat, found my old crank pulley and you came to mind.

**Hotel Guy** · 01-18-2009 05:14 PM

i just got mine replaced and ive got my old one!

**dougyfresh** · 01-18-2009 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by LampyB

you sure its not just the cam chain sensor going bad? when my B5 tensioner went bad the racket was at idle, i couldn't even hear it under throttle. it was just running a bit slack at idle because the tensioner itself was going bad and couldn't pick up the slack. it's strange that this is happening to you on the east coast, usually it's out west in the dry atmosphere. how many miles are on the tensioner?

I can hear it at part throttle as well as idle. Can't hear it at full throttle because the turbo is singing so beautifully. Both the chain and tensioner have 134k on it. Cams have around 4k on them. I'm not getting any codes. If the chain has slackened up I guess I could take the time to install a new chain and see what happens. Worst case is I pull it apart for a 2nd time and put a new tensioner in. Hmmm. Might wind up doing that first. It shouldn't take me long to replace the chain. Kind of makes sense the chain is wearing since I rev the new motor up to redline all the time now. The old motor I never really brought it over 5k.

Originally Posted by Hotel Guy

i just got mine replaced and ive got my old one!

How many miles are on it? Was it functioning properly when removed? Why did you replace it?

Chris. Thanks. I wound up using the TT pulley I had in my basement. New bolts. Its solid now.

**[email protected]** · 01-18-2009 05:34 PM

I got a working solinoid off my old VVT CCT unit if you need it.

I just unplugged it last week now that the CEL is removed via software.

Funny you mention the 'double the power' and having parts fail. IIRC the VVT was to help with low RPM power. Since you have the extra displacement with you 2.0L setup the VVT part probably isn't needed anymore and is one less thing to worry about if you install a non-VVT CCT

**dougyfresh** · 01-27-2009 08:44 AM

Winston. I received your VVT solenoid. Thanks.

I also picked up a complete 1.8T (as a spare) yesterday and will be swapping that cam tensioner and your VVT solenoid into my car next week. Lets hope that fixes everything.

Jordan. Keep holding and I'll let you know if this tensioner is cool.

In the meantime.... Utah tomorrow for some killer snowboarding!

**risc427** · 01-27-2009 11:20 AM

In the meantime.... Utah tomorrow for some killer snowboarding!

Nice! I'll be there Thursday for the first time. Any recommendations? (advanced rider)

**Hotel Guy** · 01-27-2009 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by dougyfresh

I can hear it at part throttle as well as idle. Can't hear it at full throttle because the turbo is singing so beautifully. Both the chain and tensioner have 134k on it. Cams have around 4k on them. I'm not getting any codes. If the chain has slackened up I guess I could take the time to install a new chain and see what happens. Worst case is I pull it apart for a 2nd time and put a new tensioner in. Hmmm. Might wind up doing that first. It shouldn't take me long to replace the chain. Kind of makes sense the chain is wearing since I rev the new motor up to redline all the time now. The old motor I never really brought it over 5k.

How many miles are on it? Was it functioning properly when removed? Why did you replace it?

Chris. Thanks. I wound up using the TT pulley I had in my basement. New bolts. Its solid now.

There were over 100k miles on it. I havent really looked closely at it, but like the sound being described, my car was ticking/rattling/etc before it was replaced. If anyone wants it as a test/repair part, let me know.