Timing chain tensioner
 

Have any of you guys had just the tensioner replaced at a Chevrolet dealership? I have read the posts about replacing these before the engine is damaged. That worried me enough to call my local dealer to get a price. They said the tensioner only comes in a kit with the chain and all the necessary parts to do the complete job. I asked him for a price JUST for the tensioner replacement and he wouldn't give me one.

My question is; have any of you had a dealership replace the tensioner only and how much do they typically charge?

And how much does that compare to the price for total replacement of all of the chain assembly and related parts?

Our 2008 SS has 81K miles. Would the chain be worn enough for replacement already?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

I have just replaced the tensioner to the new style, it has kept both my 2.2's quite happy.

Did you change them yourself? How hard was it?

Did they give you the part number for the kit?

I bought the part , and changed it myself there is a how to sticky here somewhere, it is just a 32 mm socket and 1/2 drive ratchet and a small pen magnet to get the old piece out if it separates , a 10 to 15 minute job

Are the 2.2's different from the 2.0's in this regard?

Was this "new style" tensioner a fix for 2009 or 2010 model years?

The tensioner is for all the displacements for the HHR, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4.
I don't remember the year of the revision I think 2009 but not 100% sure

I was told there was a kit by the service advisor. So, after reading your question, I called the parts department at the dealership to ask for the p/n for the kit. The parts guy said there is not a part number for a whole kit but that the parts book groups all the parts for this repair together for easy reference. He sent me a pdf showing all the parts included along with their prices.

OK, so here is what I gather from what I have read here and the parts list the dealership sent me.

There is a tensioner which is p/n 12608580. It is the one most people on this forum talk about changing. It is accessible from the outside of the engine. It is the new improved part.

However, there is another tensioner which is listed in the parts pdf I received from the parts department. It is p/n 90537300 which is the water pump and balance shaft chain tensioner. Does this one affect the noise from the timing chain? Is it necessary to change this one too?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

The second tensioner is under the timing chain cover and tensions the balance shaft / water pump chain.