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Water pump replacement AND timing chain tensioner?

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by Rob-ot, Feb 20, 2021.

  1. Feb 20, 2021 at 6:25 PM
    #1
    Rob-ot

    Rob-ot [OP] New Member

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    I recently noticed a few fresh drops of coolant under the tundra after driving and letting it sit. I’m fairly certain it’s the water pump which needs to be replaced and am fine with this job overall. I know I definitely don’t want to bring it to a shop or the dealership. What I am curious about though is if it makes sense to do the timing chain tensioner at the same time. Has anybody else done both jobs at once here?
     
  2. Feb 20, 2021 at 7:18 PM
    #2
    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

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    Timing chain tensioners, require the entire teardown of the front of the engine. From what I remember the water pump was easily accessible by dropping the radiator, how I know is a completely different conversation, but you will have to pull of everything out of the front, so you may want to plan ahead and check your camshaft towers for leakage and do do those while you're at it. Timing may be a bitch by the way, but you can look up some of the stuff on this site for reference.
     
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  3. Feb 22, 2021 at 12:10 PM
    #3
    Forcefed

    Forcefed New Member

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    Do you have a reason to do the timing chain tensioner? Like sound or something? Plus, I think the tundra has 4 tensioners, so are you doing all of them, or just the primary? Just seems like a lot of work to tear apart your engine to just replace something that has nothing wrong with it. I think it's about a 2 day job to do the tensioner. I would do the water pump, if you have a leak, take care of that. Plus, replace the thermostat since you are going that far in. My truck has 198,000 miles on it and I haven't replaced any tensioner yet.
     
  4. Feb 22, 2021 at 4:12 PM
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    Dalandshark

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    I recently replaced my water pump. It’s pretty easy, especially if you take the radiator out and have the correct spanner wrench for the fan clutch. Like @blackdemon_tt said it’s not inside the timing cover. But - if you really need to change the chain or tensioner(s) wouldn’t be a bad time so you don’t have to take all those things back off.
     
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  5. Feb 23, 2021 at 2:06 PM
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    Rob-ot

    Rob-ot [OP] New Member

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    There is a noticeable ticking noise on the drivers side under the cover which is making me think the tensioner needs to be replaced. Does it really need to be or can I drive with it like it is if I’m willing to deal with the noise? I’m fine if so but just don’t know if I’m taking an unnecessary risk by not addressing it.
     
  6. Feb 23, 2021 at 4:43 PM
    #6
    audiowize

    audiowize New Member

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    I added CeraTec to my crankcase oil and the cam chain noises I had went away after about 50 miles.
     
  7. Feb 23, 2021 at 5:13 PM
    #7
    Dalandshark

    Dalandshark Infected with 5G

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    Mine is pretty noisy. I don’t think it will hurt anything. I’d like to get mine fixed. I don’t think it’s “normal” to a new engine, but I think it is “normal” for them to start making the noise. What I haven’t seen is anyone say they have experienced a breakdown as a result of the timing chain in a well maintained unit - it would be extremely rare.
     
  8. Feb 23, 2021 at 6:28 PM
    #8
    Dr_Al

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    Does the TC tensioner even go bad or is it the timing chain just stretches to the point where the the tensioner can no longer adjust? I personally would either do the timing chain and tensioner together or just not do it. I would lean towards not doing it unless I was sure it needed it.
     
  9. Feb 23, 2021 at 8:10 PM
    #9
    Dalandshark

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    I think the tensioner oil port gets clogged. That's why some people have had success with additives. I don't think chains "stretch" but rather they get worn on the inside where they ride on the gears (not tundra specifically, I'm referring to any timing chain). I don't build engines or anything but I can't imagine they could even stretch under normal use. I am sure it's not going to wear past the point of tensioner travel, one would experience other problems by that point.
     
  10. Feb 24, 2021 at 9:09 AM
    #10
    audiowize

    audiowize New Member

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    Chains do stretch, but usually the camshaft position sensors can detect the stretch and throw a code for it. (A good friend of mine like Audis and knows to sell the current one he owns when that deviation gets to a certain point)
     

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