Engine is out of the car in this video I think.

 

The top and the passenger side fender liner. With the front jacked up on jack stands is a stretch to reach. You could lay on the valve cover after the engine has cooled.

 

I do it over the engine bay. It’s a little blind, just gotta go by feel.

 

That's what I'm doing. Having trouble getting the new one in

 

Just make sure the tensioner is locked and it’s not upside down.

 

Oil the Oring and twist it side to side inward.

is it OEM?

 

No

 

Thanks folks. Love this forum!

 

I put a small hand held mirror and wedged it against the firewall pointed at the tensioner to help guide me. I didn't go underneath to gain access (you can try it) but like others, just laid across the top of the engine.

 

I found this guide more useful as a beginner wishing to get familiar with the vehicle, and an opportunity to replace the valve cover gasket if needed. The 'hard part' is remembering not to turn the engine with the tensioner disconnected. You can by a cam-shaft pulley holder, to hold the shafts in place, but you may not be able to fit it with the timing chain cover (RTVed) on.

Unfortunately due to the age of the engine, the default size rubber grommet becomes too small and will contribute to oil leaks. I'll have to redo mine.

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/timing-chain-tensioner-oil-leak.846346/#post-14945831

 

Just curious......why are you replacing the tensioner? Usually all that's needed is to replace the o-ring, which is the failure item. At 437K miles I still have the original tensioner (o-ring has been replaced 2-3 times). It's VERY important to clean the bore into which the tensioner is re-inserted, btw.

Once you understand what it looks like (use a mirror or your camera to take a photo), it's much easier to just remove the two nuts and tensioner from top of the engine bay. No need to crawl underneath (that's what I did the first time). It's not necessary to remove the wheel, though.

 

My Tensioner seal is leaking on my 09 camry wondering if i need to set the engine at TDC then replace it without doing anything else? Or that doesnt matter just replace the seal and reinstall tensioner?

 

Yes, you’re supposed to set the engine at TDC first. I didn’t and my brother in law mechanic was surprised I didn’t mess it up. 😀

 

The FSM does state to put the engine at TDC and I can't fault anyone for following that. That being said, it's not necessary, though. I've done it 2-3 times following the DIY posted on this forum by @hardtopte72 which doesn't bother with setting it at TDC and uses the "bump start" method to engage the tensioner. Worked fine for me.

He does say in the DIY that it's a different situation if the chain is stretched in which case the bump start method (and perhaps not bothering to set TDC?) might not be recommended. Really though, in the case of a stretched chain, the chain should be replaced anyway.

My Tensioner seal is leaking on my 09 camry wondering if i need to set the engine at TDC then replace it without doing anything else? Or that doesnt matter just replace the seal and reinstall tensioner?

Welcome, Alex. By the way, you posted in the Gen 9 Corolla forum. For the best results, you'll want to post in the correct forum for the Gen 5 & 6 Camry: Camry 5th and 6th Gen '02-'11, Solara '04-'08 | Toyota Nation Forum