The engine has two hydraulic tensioners of the same design - for the upper and lower chain

Because hydraulic tensioners keep the chains constantly taut, regardless of chain stretch or shoe wear, there is no need to adjust chain tension during operation

The hydraulic chain tensioner device is shown in Figure 1.

Replacing hydraulic chain tensioner ZMZ-409

Plunger 4 is installed in housing 5. Spring 6 is inserted into the plunger, which is compressed by screw plug 1.

Return ball valve 2 is installed in the plug.

The plunger is fitted with locking 3 and locking 7 rings.

The figure shows the hydraulic chain tensioner in the non-working ("charged") state, when the retaining ring keeps the plunger from moving.

In order to bring the hydraulic tensioner into working condition (“discharge” it), you need to press the end of the plunger so that the retaining ring moves into the groove of a smaller diameter on the plunger, then the plunger will move out of the body under the action of the spring.

The hydraulic tensioner is installed on the engine in a "charged" state.

Under the action of a spring and oil flowing through the valve from the engine lubrication system, the plunger presses on the tensioner shoe and keeps the chain taut.

As the chain stretches and the tensioner shoe wears, the plunger moves further out of the body, the locking ring moves into the next annular groove on the body, preventing the plunger from moving in the opposite direction.

When the chain hits the tensioner shoe (for example, when changing the engine operating mode), the plunger moves back into the housing by the width of the groove for the locking ring. At the same time, he compresses the spring.

In addition, the valve closes and additional damping occurs due to the fact that the oil is squeezed out through the gap between the plunger and the body.

You will need: a 12 wrench, a screwdriver.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensionersRemoving and installing hydraulic chain tensioners ZMZ-409

Holding the cover of the hydraulic tensioner (it is pressed from the inside by the tensioner), unscrew the two bolts with a 12 wrench.

Remove the cover and take out the hydraulic tensioner.

We install the hydraulic tensioner in a “charged” state, lubricating the channel in the block head and, if necessary, replacing the torn gasket.

After installation, we bring the hydraulic tensioner into working condition - “discharge”.

“Charging” the hydraulic tensioner

Replacing hydraulic chain tensioner ZMZ-409

If there is no mandrel for assembling the hydraulic tensioner or it is not possible to manufacture it, you can assemble the tensioner as follows.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

We reduce the vise jaws, leaving a gap of 19 mm between them.

Do not vise the tensioner body.

When disassembling two hydraulic tensioners at once, do not confuse their plunger pairs, as they are matched with a certain clearance.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Having installed the tensioner body in a vise, as in the mouth of a key, with a wide-bladed screwdriver...

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners Removing and installing hydraulic chain tensioners ZMZ-409

Turn out the valve.

Remove the spring from the body

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Remove the plunger.

We wash all parts in gasoline or kerosene, blow with compressed air and lubricate with engine oil.

Removal and installation of hydraulic chain tensioners ZMZ-409

From a steel sheet with a thickness of 0.8-1.0 mm, cut out a strip (10-15 mm wide and 25 mm long).

With round-nose pliers or on a mandrel, bend it into a ring with a diameter like that of a plunger.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

With a manufactured mandrel, we press the spring in the hydraulic tensioner body.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensionersRemoving and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Installing the plunger into the body.

If necessary, use a thin screwdriver to guide the locking ring.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Use a screwdriver to press the bottom of the plunger all the way.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

We install the spring into the plunger, and the body itself into a vise.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensionersRemoving and installing hydraulic chain tensioners ZMZ-409

Overcoming the resistance of the spring, we wrap the valve into the hydraulic tensioner body.

For a properly charged tensioner, the plunger must be fully inserted into the body.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Use a screwdriver to tighten the valve, holding the body in a vise (as in disassembly).

Do not press on the protruding end of the plunger, and after installation in the channel of the head of the block - on the tensioner itself.

Discharging the hydraulic tensioner

After installing the hydraulic tensioner on the engine, it must be brought into working condition - discharged. For this:

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensionersRemoving and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Using a 12 key, we unscrew the plug from the hydraulic tensioner cover.

Using a screwdriver through the hole, press the tensioner, which, “discharged”, will push it out.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

Install the cork in place.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

This is what an “undischarged” hydraulic tensioner looks like.

Removing and installing ZMZ-409 hydraulic chain tensioners

This is what a discharged hydraulic tensioner looks like