My car has being making timing chain rattle for a while now. Now its also noticed from time to time after it has reached normal temperature when I step on the gas and around 3K rpm. It only used to rattle few minutes during cold morning start ups.

Can i continue to drive the car without any damage to the engine? Has anyone here fixed their tensioner by replacing the internals like the rubber ring and/or plunger within the orgininal tensioner??

 

if you're going to go in to fix any of that, you might as well change it all out. it's pricy, but well worth it. i had mine replaced about 9 months ago and it's so much better. up to you what you do.

 

any other suggestions?? I ve heard people saying if i chose to replaced the entire tensioner then i should replace the guide, which would involve going through hell.

 

before messing with the tensioner try some different oils. thicker/thinner viscosity, group III synthetic, etc. also try a different oil filter. I had the cold start rattle and eliminated it with a slightly thicker group III 5W30 (maxlife synthetic). also it may take a few hundred miles after changing oils for the noise to go away.

as for the tensioner, you cannot buy the direct fit replacement anymore. you have to buy the new style that requires a new chain guide, and therefore means taking the entire TC cover off. a huge job. some people have claimed they rebuilt a tensioner by doing exactly as you describe (swap the o rings, plunger, etc). I can't comment on how effective that is.