2004 Dodge Stratus Timing Belt Tensioner: A Solution or a Recipe for Disaster?

If you're experiencing issues with your timing belt tensioner on your 2004 Dodge Stratus, you're not alone. Many owners have reported strange noises and vibrations coming from the tensioner area, which can be unsettling to say the least.

I recently experienced similar symptoms myself, including a tinny tick that appeared about 5 minutes after startup and just before reaching full operating temperature. The sound was loudest when I put my ear up against the right bank of the engine, directly above the tensioner. Once the engine reached its full temp, the noise disappeared.

I was able to pinpoint the source of the noise by using a piece of PVC pipe as a makeshift stethoscope. This allowed me to listen more clearly and locate the sound to the exact spot where the timing belt tensioner is located.

The issue with my timing belt tensioner was similar to what you described in your video, where a tinny sounding tick appeared during the mid-warm-up stage of engine operation. I'm curious if anyone has used cheap aftermarket tensioners without experiencing any problems. Are they recommended? Have there been any reported failures of these tensioners that couldn't be blamed on low oil pressure?

Unfortunately, my local auto supply store doesn't carry aftermarket replicas or the original OEM part. However, I did find some options on eBay for around $30-$35 plus shipping. This seems like a much more affordable option compared to the over $200 price tag of the OEM tensioner.

I've decided to take a different approach and install a stop block to keep the chain guide snug. While this may not address the issue with the checkball, I'm hoping that it will help reduce the noise and vibrations coming from the tensioner area. If my running oil pressure is okay, I don't see any reason why this shouldn't work.

One thing that's bothered me about the checkball is its purpose. It seems like it's intended to keep the tensioner filled with oil while the engine is stationary. However, if the protruding nail used to depress the checkball was too long and displaced it somehow, it could potentially cause issues.

In conclusion, I'm hoping that my solution will work and eliminate the strange noises coming from my timing belt tensioner. If you have any experience with aftermarket tensioners or stop blocks, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

2004 dodge stratus timing belt tensioner