just got the water pump replaced and now the timing chain sounds like its rattling. Mechanic said the tensioner is worn out but I refuse to believe it since I brought the car in silent as a sleeping baby...what do you guys think? He suggests that I replace the tensioner, chain, and guides for an addition $200, and I said "what?, hell no!!"

you shouldnt ever have to replace the timing chain. the dealer told me that too. If you needed it replaced the ecu would throw some sort of misfire code.

The tensioner does tend to get weak over time. To replace the pump, your mechanic had to release the tension on the chain. Most likely he did that by releasing the tensioner. Now that it's been played with, it's lost it's ability to keep the chain tight. It needs to be replaced. Tll your mechanic to replace it, you pay for the part and he eats the labor. (Labor is the biggest part of the job)

200 is pretty good price.

Hey,
I did the water pump on my car and when I started it the chain rattled for a few minutes then it went away after it pumped back up. How long have you ran the car since u did the pump.

The service manual says its normal for the chain to be noisy until the high pressure chamber fills up, but its been 2 days now and it still hasnt gone away.

Hey
If it has not pumped up yet then most likely it is shot. Unless the guy who did it left the pin in it that takes the tension off the chain. but i don't think someone would forget that... just my .02...