Replacing a Toyota chain tensioner: tips and tricks

24.03.2020

Issues discussed in the material:

• What you need to know about replacing the chain tensioner in a Toyota
• How to replace the chain tensioner in Toyota
• How to understand that it is not the chain tensioner in a Toyota that needs to be replaced, but the chain itself
• How to replace the tensioner and chain in a Toyota Corolla
• Replacing the chain tensioner in Toyota through the eyes and hands of car enthusiasts

Replacing the chain tensioner in a Toyota, at first glance, is not the most difficult procedure that even a novice car enthusiast can handle. However, the apparent simplicity can result in more serious engine repairs if something goes wrong.

To replace the chain tensioner in a Toyota, as well as the chain itself, it is better to contact an authorized service center. If you want to know how such repairs are carried out in order to supervise the master or expand your own horizons, read our material.

What you need to know about replacing the chain tensioner in a Toyota

Toyota cars equipped with a 1ZZ engine are preferred by many motorists around the world to other brands. This is explained by the fact that such an engine is equipped with a timing chain (gas distribution mechanism), and not a belt. That is why the car is considered more reliable.

It is worth noting that replacing the Toyota Corolla chain tensioner is done much less frequently when compared with the exact same engine with a timing belt. In addition, a car with a power of 140 hp. With. consumes less fuel compared to cars equipped with 7A, 4S engines with a timing belt. And another advantage of the engine with a small displacement of only 1.8 liters is that it is more powerful than belt-driven engines.

The timing belt is necessary for the operation of not only the engine, but also other vehicle systems. This mechanism supplies fuel to the cylinders and then removes combustion products.

The timing belt is driven by a chain or belt that is connected by 2 gears. A chain or belt drive plays the role of a transmission mechanism during engine operation. If the gas distribution mechanism fails, the internal combustion engine will also not be able to function.

Many motorists are interested in when to replace the chain tensioner in a Toyota. If extraneous sounds appear under the hood while driving, then replacement cannot be avoided. Moreover, this must be done in advance, as soon as the first signs of a malfunction arise. Don't delay replacing and wait until the chain breaks.

How to replace the chain tensioner in Toyota

When there are oil leaks and the chain starts to ring, it means replacing the tensioner in Toyota is mandatory.

What tools and consumables will be needed for replacement:

• tensioner No. 13540-0D010 for Toyota;
• RTV silicone based sealant;
• wrenches or sockets with a ratchet and an extension for 10 and 22.

The procedure for replacing the chain tensioner in a Toyota is as follows: retract the rod on the new part. It must be locked in a compressed position; to do this, use a hook. On the 1.8 liter Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine, the mechanism is located on the passenger side at the rear of the cylinder block.

When unscrewing the second fastening bolt, you must be careful - the tensioner in the Toyota is spring-loaded and can jump out. Use a flathead screwdriver to lightly pry the mechanism, this will make it easier to remove.

Oil or silicone-based sealant should be applied to the rubber sealing ring in Toyota. It is important that the lubricant does not come into direct contact with the tensioner itself. Apply sealant in small quantities. Otherwise, the compound will squeeze out when you start tightening the bolts.

When replacing the chain tensioner in a Toyota, make sure that it is installed correctly. How to do it? The hook should be positioned at the top, then the fastening bolts should be tightened to the required force, approximately 20 Nm.

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Next, take a 22mm key or socket and turn the generator pulley. This way you can turn the motor counterclockwise. This is necessary to release the locking hook and bring the rod into working condition. If you do everything correctly, you will hear a click.

How to understand that it is not the chain tensioner in a Toyota that needs to be replaced, but the chain itself

If a Toyota engine is equipped with a timing chain, it means that it transmits rotational force from the crankshaft to the camshaft located in the cylinder head (overhead valve type engines).

All chains in Toyota are divided into two types: gear and roller, and the latter are practically not used. On most machines with a gas distribution mechanism, gear systems are installed if a chain drive is used.

Toothed units ensure smooth operation, have increased reliability, and make virtually no noise during operation. In operation, gear systems are similar to belt drives. It is impossible to accurately answer the question of which is better. If you start discussing this topic, you will get a full-fledged article.

Hydraulic tensioners, the working fluid of which is engine oil, tension the chain in Toyota. Oil flows through the engine lubrication system. The number of tensioners depends on the number of camshafts. There may be one, two or three.

The timing chain system includes the chain itself, the tensioner, and the lubrication system. Over time, due to wear of parts, the mechanism begins to work worse: the tensioner or the chain itself in the Toyota needs to be replaced.

How to understand that the timing belt has become unusable? To do this, listen to how the motor works. We heard metallic sounds and a crackling noise at high speeds, which means that the gas distribution system has failed.

Press the accelerator pedal sharply, you will immediately understand that the circuit is faulty. In this case, the ignition will not work properly, and when the speed increases, you can see black exhaust gases coming out of the exhaust pipe. This indicates that the fuel mixture is over-rich.

To identify wear on the chain drive, you need to inspect the motor. We remove the valve cover, even a beginner can handle this, the main thing is to take a suitable key. After 10 bolts are unscrewed, remove the cover. Now you can easily reach the chain. Carry out a visual inspection of it. If it is in working condition, it will not sag at the top.

You should also inspect the tensioner in the Toyota. It should be in such a position that the chain is well tensioned. Have you noticed that it is sagging? This means it needs to be replaced. Many motorists who do not have the opportunity to replace the chain do the following. They install bolts on the tensioner or even install a second tensioner. This manipulation is considered a last resort and can only be performed in emergency cases. After all, the effect will be temporary, and it will be more difficult to repair the mechanism later.

How long a chain will last depends on the material from which it is made. It must be high quality. You should also pay attention to the degree of effectiveness of the heat treatment of the material.

Timing sprockets must also meet the above requirements, because they participate in the operation of the mechanism. The lubrication system must not be allowed to malfunction, as it affects the functioning of the unit. Only high-quality lubricant should be poured into the engine and changed on time.

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If the chain drive is made of durable material and the required tension is set during maintenance, and the oil is changed regularly, the mechanism will properly serve as long as the engine.

On the contrary, a stretched chain will quickly fail. To avoid the need to replace it, you should buy a high-quality part, set the tension correctly, and use a suitable lubricant.

1ZR - Toyota 1.6 petrol engine

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The Toyota 1ZR-FE engine has been manufactured from 2006 to the present. The motor is produced in the USA and China. The power units are designed for C-class cars.

Characteristics of 1ZR

The 1ZR Toyota 1.6 engine (exact volume 1598 cc) had two modifications. The main option is the 1ZR-FE model (power 126 hp), and the analog version is the 1ZR-FAE engine with a power of 134 horsepower. Next, we present the technical characteristics of the 1ZR-FE power unit:

Cylinder block with cast iron liners and chain tensioner mount
The 1ZR-FE engine block is made of aluminum, with thin cast iron liners. An in-line four-cylinder internal combustion engine uses four valves for each cylinder. AI-95 gasoline is required as fuel.

The manufacturer sets the permissible oil consumption up to one liter per thousand kilometers. In this case, a complete replacement of the lubricant in the engine should be done every 10,000 km.

Judging by reviews from owners of cars equipped with the 1ZR Toyota internal combustion engine, the engine life is about 300,000 km.

Fuel consumption

Gasoline consumption per hundred kilometers for certain Toyota models with the 1ZR-FE engine is:

Toyota Corolla 150 dorestyle

What cars was it installed on?

The 1ZR-FE engine modification was used on Toyota Auris and Toyota Corolla models for the Russian and European markets. In Russia, the motor was installed in the following periods of time:

In Europe, the 1ZR-FE power unit was installed from 2006 to 2010 on Toyota Auris and Corolla E150 cars.

Briefly about the mechanical part of the engine

The design of the Toyota 1ZR-FE power unit is a standard in-line arrangement of four cylinders. The block and cylinder head are made of aluminum.

The engine is equipped with a chain drive timing mechanism and a VVT-i clutch for each camshaft. The engine uses pistons with a short stroke of 78.5 mm.

In this case, the cylinder diameter is 80.5 mm.

The following points can be highlighted from the features of the power unit:

• presence of hydraulic compensators;
• a separate chain is used to drive the oil pump;
• use of independent camshaft housings;
• main bearings with separate caps.

Weaknesses of 1ZR

The problems of the 1ZR-FE power unit remained identical in comparison with its predecessor, the ZZ series motor.

There is also increased oil consumption, a leaking coolant pump, extraneous noise, low service life and unstable idling.

You can extend the life of the internal combustion engine and reduce excessive oil consumption by using a lubricant with increased viscosity and eliminating increased loads.

The following are the most common breakdowns and weaknesses of the 1ZR-FE engine:

• the manufacturer does not provide for the possibility of major repairs;
• the duration of operation of hydraulic compensators depends on the quality of the oil used;
• increased vibration at idle, due to a design flaw;
• limited service life of oil seals;
• the formation of extraneous noise due to the gradual stretching of the timing chain;

• Fuel filters are sensitive to the quality of the gasoline used, which is accompanied by a decrease in pressure in the fuel system if they become clogged. The engine also starts to stall;
• The drop in power unit speed when starting from a standstill is due to problems with the electronic control unit.

Engine Maintenance

The main maintenance measure for the 1ZR-FE Toyota power unit is timely oil changes. To do this, you will need to pour SL or SM class oil with a volume of four liters. Replacement is carried out every 10,000 km. You will also need to take the following steps:

• checking the tension of attachment belts at intervals of 30,000 km;
• replacing spark plugs every 50,000 km, checking the condition of the gaps every ten thousand kilometers. Otherwise, the ignition coils may fail;
• monitoring the condition of the injectors, and if necessary, cleaning them every 50 thousand kilometers;
• the fuel and air filters must be replaced after the next run of 20,000 km, and the coarse fuel filter - 50,000 km;
• The chain drive of the gas distribution mechanism needs to be changed every 100 thousand km. It must be borne in mind that if the circuit breaks, the valves will be damaged.

Motor modifications

Japanese developers have designed two modifications of the 1ZR Toyota series engine:

1. The main one is 1ZR-FE. It uses a Dual-VVT-i variable valve timing system. This model requires the use of AI-95 gasoline. This is due to the compression ratio of 10.2. At the same time, the power of the power unit is 124 horsepower;
2. The analog version is the 1ZR-FAE motor. It features higher compression ratios and power, 10.7 and 132 hp. respectively. The Valvematic system was also introduced, which is responsible for adjusting valve lift, depending on the driving style of each individual driver.

How to replace the tensioner and chain in a Toyota Corolla

To replace the chain tensioner in a Toyota Corolla, you will need the following consumables:

• timing chain;
• tensioner;
• shoe;
• drive belt.

If you are not confident in your abilities, you should not do the replacement yourself. At first glance, the work seems easy. However, if you make a mistake, it will not be easy to correct the situation: the motor will fail. Be prepared for the fact that you will spend a lot of time and effort replacing the tensioner in a Toyota. You should be extremely careful while working.

To replace the tensioner in a Toyota, the chain will have to be removed. You need to proceed as follows:

• We remove the protective cover of the motor, as well as the ignition coil of the spark plugs.
• Remove the valve cover. There is a reusable gasket under it; it must be left and installed back upon completion of the work.
• The machine must be fixed; for this we use a jack or a lift. We dismantle the front right wheel, as well as the protection (fender liner), it is located in the wheel arch.
• You now have access to the pulley on the crankshaft. We jack up the engine and remove the support to reach the chain.
• After the tension is loosened, remove the chain.
• To remove the chain, we pull out the lower sprocket; it easily moves along the crankshaft to a distance of 1–1.2 cm. Then we remove the chain.
• We stop the crankshaft pulley by wedging the flywheel. When the bolt on the pulley is unscrewed, remove it from the key.
• We dismantle the generator and power steering pump. Then unscrew the side cover.
• After the coolant has been drained, remove the tensioner and shoe.
• Using compressed air, we remove dirt and install a new tensioner and chain in the Toyota.

How to install a tensioner in a Toyota:

• We place marks on the camshaft pulleys, as well as on the crankshaft. This must be done for the motor to work properly.
• We begin to install the chain, first from above, then from below.
• Set the desired tension. We insert the tensioner using the hook, install it, and tighten the mounting bolts. Then you can remove the hook. If everything is done correctly, the rod will be in the desired position and the chain tension will be normal.
• Then install the side cover and screw it on.
• We perform assembly in reverse order.

The resource of the Toyota gas distribution chain is quite large. However, you should regularly check its serviceability. If this part wears out, the timing belt will not be able to function properly, and the engine shoe will fail, just like the damper. In order not to spend a large sum on restoring the mechanism, it is necessary to periodically check the tension. Of course, the chain breaks infrequently, but such a breakdown cannot be excluded with 100% probability.

How to change the timing chain on a Corolla 150

To replace the timing chain in the Corolla 1ZR FE engine, you need to change: sprockets, tensioners, dampers. You can immediately purchase a repair kit that contains all this.

It is important to know! If you do not change the entire set, the new chain can very quickly fail.

On a Toyota, to replace it, you need to remove the attachments from the engine:

1. Top cover.
2. Side cover.
3. Belt (behind side cover).

The first step to replacing the timing chain on a Toyota Corolla 1.6 2008 and other years of production is to remove the front right wheel; behind it there will be a rubber protection that can be moved aside, as in the photo:

After the protection is pulled back, a cover will be visible on the motor, from which you need to unscrew the bolts and then remove it. After dismantling it, the chain will be visible:

In 1 ZR FE there will be a mark on the left sprocket of the gas distribution mechanism, which should fall into the middle of the link, which will differ in color, as in the photo.

Now we put the chain on from below, through the window from which we removed the protection. It will be visually clear that she is relaxed, but that’s how it should be. Then the tensioner will cock it into the desired position, which we will replace in the following step.

The hydraulic tensioner is located in the side cover, which we removed. We unscrew it from there and screw in a new one. It must be in the cocked position.

The next step is to rotate the crankshaft clockwise a couple of turns. After this, the hydraulic tensioner will work and tighten the chain sagging from below.

Replacing the chain tensioner in Toyota through the eyes and hands of car enthusiasts

1. Replacing the tensioner is not a panacea “I wondered how the chain should behave after replacing the tensioner? The other day I made a replacement on my Toyota, and strange sounds appeared when I pressed the accelerator pedal. Then the noise disappeared, but I'm wondering if everything is okay? A friend says there will be problems with the timing belt. After all, if the chain is stretched, the new tensioner will quickly fail.”
2. Changing the tensioner yourself is scary
   “I picked up a tensioner for Toyota today.” But I'm afraid to replace it myself. I've read reviews from car owners who change them themselves. Often, after such intervention, even more problems appear. I studied the instructions on how to make the replacement, everything is shown there, how to and how not to change, but I didn’t see the difference.”
3. There's nothing scary
   Replacing the tensioner in a Toyota with your own hands is easy; even a beginner can do it. Personally, I installed the tensioner on the hook and applied sealant to the gasket. I installed the part, tightened the bolts, took a 19mm socket and a ratchet. Then he rotated the crankshaft in the opposite direction to rotation. I heard a click - it was the tensioner that jumped out. Then he scrolled again, but this time in the direction of rotation. Everything is perfectly audible and understandable.”

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4. I replaced it, but nothing is clear
   “I encountered the following problem when replacing the tensioner in a Toyota: I turn the crankshaft clockwise, but I don’t know how many turns I need to make. I clicked twice in 1 revolution; when I started the engine, there were 2-3 more clicks. That is, when the crankshaft rotates clockwise, it tensions the chain when starting the engine?

   When I started the car another time, nothing clicked. I turned the crankshaft - nothing. There are no noises, everything seems to be fine.”

Signs of worn parts

There are several symptoms that determine whether the chain needs to be replaced:

1. It rattles when the engine is running.
2. It scrapes against the sides of the lid.
3. It looks like it's sagging a lot.

The chain is much more reliable than the timing belt and lasts many times longer, but every coin has another side: changing it is much more difficult and expensive. For those who want to replace it themselves, detailed instructions are provided below.