CC:
You may think that a tensioner or even a variable valve timing actuator has a pretty easy life on an engine, compared to a bearing or a camshaft, or let’s even say a connecting rod. But the reality of it is, is that’s two different designs of oil flow, that makes the life just a little bit different for each of them. If you have an engine bearing, oil is circulated around the bearing and it creates almost a hydraulic layer between the two bearing surfaces. But that oil is constantly circulating. In other words, it’s pumping out any contaminants, debris, and keeping it at pressure so you don’t have the bearing surfaces coming together. But with this one, it’s a little bit different. Yes, it’s still a hydraulic relationship between the oil and this component, but that oil is used to create hydraulic pressure that pushes on a chain guide to keep everything in tension. The reality of it is, you only have typically one port going in and maybe one relief hole coming out.
A lot of the time, the oil remains inside the component. This is not good for some components if the oil is not constantly changed. In other words, all that debris, sludge and stuff you wouldn’t want inside of an engine bearing, well, it ends up in here and stays in here for a long time. The only time it may be pressurized out is when the engine is off and the oil pressure goes down, and the chain pushes against it and pumps that oil out. But the rest of the time, well, most of that gunk is trapped inside here. And the same is true for a variable valve timing actuator.
With these, again, it’s a hydraulic action, but that oil is trapped inside the chamber between the two different rotors. And over time, it can really gunk up the system and increase wear on some of the veins inside. So just keep that in mind when recommending an oil change. In other words, use the correct oil and a high-quality filter so the oil change will not damage and extend the life of the tensioner and variable valve timing actuator. I’m Andrew Markel, thank you very much.
