Corolla timing chain tensioner

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Averroes

Averroes

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Hope you're all well. Just put in a new timing chain tensioner on my sisters 2004 Corolla since the old o ring on the tensioner was passed its shelf life and was leaking. The new tensioner did the trick but now it's leaking again. Could anyone possibly give a few pointers as to why? Bolts were torqued to spec and I followed the instruction video to the T.

Only thing I didn't do is apply RTV silicone sealant on the o ring area and behind it (on tensioner) since I felt it wasn't required. Should I? The factory steps don't have the process listed... Any input is appreciated.
 
Averroes said:
Hope you're all well. Just put in a new timing chain tensioner on my sisters 2004 Corolla since the old o ring on the tensioner was passed its shelf life and was leaking. The new tensioner did the trick but now it's leaking again. Could anyone possibly give a few pointers as to why? Bolts were torqued to spec and I followed the instruction video to the T.

Only thing I didn't do is apply RTV silicone sealant on the o ring area and behind it (on tensioner) since I felt it wasn't required. Should I? The factory steps don't have the process listed... Any input is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Is this chain tensioner number 1 in this picture?

ct1.webp
 
The reason for O ring failure are improper installation, wrong size O ring, bore damage or an old defective part,
Get a new O ring (part # 9030122013), check the bore where the ring sits for any nicks or burrs, these must be corrected before installing the new ring.

This seems to be a common issue, to prevent it happening again get some Hylomar M and coat just the O ring before installing it in the bore.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hylomar-M-...022178&hash=item2a80deddee:g:hqQAAOSwSkhe~5ar
 
Not sure if your engine has this but on certain Toyota 4 cylinder engines their is flow control filter that is inside the block after the oil pump.

It is on the passenger side back side and hiding behind the power steering pump. The part number for this filter is 15678-28010, it filter the oil going to cams and probably the VVT.
 
Someone else on here reported the same issue after replacing the o ring. They used some Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 which stopped the leaking. When a different oil was used it would start to leak again.
 
Trav said:
The reason for O ring failure are improper installation, wrong size O ring, bore damage or an old defective part,
Get a new O ring (part # 9030122013), check the bore where the ring sits for any nicks or burrs, these must be corrected before installing the new ring.

This seems to be a common issue, to prevent it happening again get some Hylomar M and coat just the O ring before installing it in the bore.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hylomar-M-...022178&hash=item2a80deddee:g:hqQAAOSwSkhe~5ar
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I will give it a shot. I bought an entirely new tensioner from Rock Auto, the brand is "Millings". If wasn't leaking then it started to. The car is 16 years old, so it's a given. Regardless thank you everyone for your inputs, if you have more to add anyone do so. Currently using PP HM synthetic, maybe I will give maxlife a shot.
 
So I have replaced the o-ring on the tensioner more than once on the 2006 Corolla in my sig. I have found that by me using the Mobil One EPHM oil in combination with the replacement of the o-ring, it has prevented the seepage that has occurred in the past. Very common problem on this generation of Corolla. And as a side note, don’t put any Silicone or sealant around the tensioner. The o-ring creates an internal seal Within its bore and any sealant on the outside wouldn’t help.
 
Trav said:
Dont try and stop a leak due to some defect be it from installation of defective part with HM oil or snake oils, its a fools errand.
Click to expand...
So anyone that had a leak which went away after just switching to a high mileage oil is a fool? I'd say you could argue the opposite of that.

I'm not saying it can fix any leak or even the majority of leaks, but you have to put oil in it anyway, so if you have leaks you can't afford to fix I can't think of any good reason not to run a high mileage oil? Especially when they have it on sale right beside the non high mileage variant.
 
He already replaced it and says it is leaking once again, something is not right, either the o-ring is defective (age) or installation failure due to a nick or burr or pinched during install.
Why would you try to repair it with HM oil which uses additional seal swellers on possibly a nicked seal? The seal swelling effects all seals not just the leaker and temporary, as soon as regular oil is used again the seals try to return to their original shape.

I am not convinced that softening and swelling seals is the best thing for them, I fix the leaks not band aid them.
 
Averroes said:
Hope you're all well. Just put in a new timing chain tensioner on my sisters 2004 Corolla since the old o ring on the tensioner was passed its shelf life and was leaking. The new tensioner did the trick but now it's leaking again. Could anyone possibly give a few pointers as to why? Bolts were torqued to spec and I followed the instruction video to the T.

Only thing I didn't do is apply RTV silicone sealant on the o ring area and behind it (on tensioner) since I felt it wasn't required. Should I? The factory steps don't have the process listed... Any input is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Do you still have the original tensioner? Just replace the o-rings. No need to replace the tensioner.
 
Trav said:
He already replaced it and says it is leaking once again, something is not right, either the o-ring is defective (age) or installation failure due to a nick or burr or pinched during install.
Why would you try to repair it with HM oil which uses additional seal swellers on possibly a nicked seal? The seal swelling effects all seals not just the leaker and temporary, as soon as regular oil is used again the seals try to return to their original shape.

I am not convinced that softening and swelling seals is the best thing for them, I fix the leaks not band aid them.
Click to expand...
I re read your post and understand what you mean about there being a reason the leak reocurred. Obviously something is wrong and seal conditioners won't fix that.

I still think there is no reason not to use high mileage oil in an older engine, they don't cause problems with seals just potentially reduce or prevent leaks. In the case of a leak due to age, trying high mileage oil isn't foolish by any means.
 
350Rocket said:
I re read your post and understand what you mean about there being a reason the leak reocurred. Obviously something is wrong and seal conditioners won't fix that.

I still think there is no reason not to use high mileage oil in an older engine, they don't cause problems with seals just potentially reduce or prevent leaks. In the case of a leak due to age, trying high mileage oil isn't foolish by any means.
Click to expand...
HM oil is just a blend with extra additives for the seals. Why NOT use it? :unsure:
 
LazyDog said:
Not sure if your engine has this but on certain Toyota 4 cylinder engines their is flow control filter that is inside the block after the oil pump.

It is on the passenger side back side and hiding behind the power steering pump. The part number for this filter is 15678-28010, it filter the oil going to cams and probably the VVT.
Click to expand...
What's that got to do with his repair problem?
 
O'ring, seems to me problem was inner circumference, the one that came with new tensioner was wrong size and when I got a replacement, think it was an OEM from the dealer, it was much tighter fitting on the tensioner.
 
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