engine

Timing Chain Tensioner

for 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Advanced

Time

6.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Replace the timing chain tensioner on a 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 engine to restore proper timing chain tension and eliminate rattling or timing issues.

Warnings

⚠️Never rotate engine counterclockwise. This can cause timing chain to skip and result in catastrophic engine damage.

⚠Ensure engine is cold before beginning work to prevent coolant burns and allow accurate timing alignment.

⚠Do not allow camshaft or crankshaft to rotate independently once timing chain is loosened. This will cause valve-to-piston contact.

ℹ️This engine uses interference design. Incorrect timing will cause severe internal engine damage.

Tools required

Socket set (8mm-19mm)Essential

Torque wrenchEssential

Crankshaft holding tool or breaker barEssential

Camshaft holding tool

Valve cover gasket scraperEssential

Engine support fixture or jack with blockEssential

Timing pin or paper clip for tensionerEssential

Drain panEssential

Oil filter wrenchEssential

RTV silicone gasket makerEssential

Wire brush

Ratchet straps or bungee cords

Parts

Timing chain tensioner × 1 — Use OEM specification
Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
RTV silicone sealant × 1 — Kia-approved RTV

Fluids

Kia Genuine 5W-20 engine oil — 4.5 qt
Hyundai/Kia Long Life Coolant (Green) — 1 qt

Preparation

Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
Remove engine cover by pulling upward on clips
Remove air intake system from throttle body to air filter housing
Label and disconnect all ignition coil connectors
Support engine from below using jack with wooden block under oil pan
Remove right-side engine mount to allow access to timing cover

Procedure

1
Remove valve cover
Disconnect PCV hoses and breather hoses from valve cover. Remove all valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside pattern). Carefully lift valve cover and gasket away from cylinder head. Clean all gasket material from valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces using plastic scraper.
Torque spec
Valve Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
2
Remove accessory drive belt and crankshaft pulley
Rotate belt tensioner clockwise to release tension and remove serpentine belt. Note routing for reinstallation. Use crankshaft holding tool or have assistant hold breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt (reverse thread awareness: standard right-hand thread). Remove crankshaft pulley from crankshaft snout.
⚠Crankshaft pulley bolt requires significant torque. Ensure vehicle is in gear (manual) or Park (automatic) and parking brake is applied.
Torque spec
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt167 Nm (124 lb-ft)
3
Remove timing chain cover
Disconnect any remaining electrical connectors near timing cover. Remove all timing cover bolts noting different lengths and locations (8mm bolts require different torque). Carefully pry timing cover away from engine block using plastic pry tools at designated pry points. Remove old gasket material and clean all RTV from mating surfaces on both engine block and timing cover.
Torque spec
Timing Cover Bolts13 Nm (10 lb-ft)
4
Rotate engine to TDC and verify timing alignment
Rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front) until TDC mark on crankshaft sprocket aligns with pointer on engine block. Verify camshaft sprocket timing marks align with cylinder head surface and with each other. The intake and exhaust camshaft sprocket marks should both point upward. Mark chain-to-sprocket relationship with paint pen for reference.
⚠️Do not proceed if timing marks do not align properly. Existing timing chain may have jumped or been incorrectly installed.
5
Remove timing chain tensioner
Locate timing chain tensioner on right side of engine. Remove tensioner mounting bolt. Carefully extract tensioner assembly. Inspect old tensioner for wear, scoring, or hydraulic fluid leakage. Check tensioner plunger movement - it should move freely but with resistance.
ℹ️Timing chain will be slack once tensioner is removed. Do not rotate engine in this state.
Torque spec
Tensioner Bolt19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
6
Inspect timing chain and guides
With tensioner removed, carefully inspect timing chain for wear, stretch, or damaged rollers. Check fixed chain guides for wear grooves or cracks. Inspect tensioner blade guide for excessive wear. If chain shows more than 1mm of deflection when pulled away from guides, or guides show deep wear grooves, they should also be replaced.
Torque spec
Guide Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
7
Prepare and install new timing chain tensioner
Remove new tensioner from packaging. Compress tensioner plunger fully by pressing it into body. Insert retaining pin or bent paper clip through hole in tensioner body to lock plunger in compressed position. Apply light engine oil to tensioner plunger and bore. Position new tensioner on engine block, ensuring blade properly engages timing chain. Install tensioner bolt hand-tight initially.
Torque spec
Tensioner Bolt19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
8
Release tensioner and verify operation
Verify crankshaft and camshaft timing marks are still properly aligned. Torque timing chain tensioner bolt to specification. Carefully remove retaining pin or paper clip from tensioner, allowing plunger to extend and tension the chain. Verify tensioner plunger has extended and chain is now under proper tension. Slowly rotate crankshaft clockwise two complete revolutions and recheck all timing marks for proper alignment.
⚠️If timing marks do not realign after two rotations, stop immediately. Timing chain installation is incorrect.
Torque spec
Tensioner Bolt19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
9
Reinstall timing chain cover
Apply thin bead of Kia-approved RTV silicone to engine block mating surface following service manual pattern (typically 2-3mm bead). Install new timing cover gasket if equipped, or apply RTV per factory specification. Position timing cover on engine block, ensuring proper alignment with dowel pins. Install all timing cover bolts finger-tight, then torque in sequence from center outward. Note that 8mm bolts require higher torque specification than standard bolts.
ℹ️RTV must cure for 30 minutes before adding engine oil. Do not start engine during cure time.
Torque spec
Timing Cover Bolts13 Nm (10 lb-ft)
10
Reinstall crankshaft pulley
Clean crankshaft snout and pulley bore with brake cleaner. Install crankshaft pulley onto crankshaft, aligning keyway. Install crankshaft pulley bolt and torque to specification using holding tool to prevent crankshaft rotation. Reinstall serpentine belt following noted routing pattern. Verify belt is properly seated on all pulleys.
Torque spec
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt167 Nm (124 lb-ft)
11
Reinstall valve cover
Install new valve cover gasket into valve cover groove, ensuring proper seating. Apply small dab of RTV at camshaft cap corners if specified by service manual. Position valve cover on cylinder head, ensuring gasket remains properly seated. Install valve cover bolts and torque in sequence from center outward to prevent gasket distortion. Reconnect PCV and breather hoses.
Torque spec
Valve Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
12
Complete reassembly and refill fluids
Reinstall right-side engine mount and remove jack from under engine. Reinstall air intake system and reconnect all electrical connectors. Install new oil filter and refill engine with 4.5 quarts of Kia Genuine 5W-20 engine oil. Top off coolant if any was lost during engine mount removal. Reconnect negative battery cable.
ℹ️Allow RTV to cure for minimum 30 minutes before starting engine.

Reassembly

Double-check all electrical connectors are properly seated and locked
Verify serpentine belt is properly routed and tensioned
Ensure no tools or rags are left in engine bay
Verify oil level on dipstick shows full after 5-minute settle time

Verification

Start engine and listen for unusual timing chain noise - should be quiet with no rattle
Check for oil leaks around valve cover and timing cover after engine reaches operating temperature
Verify no coolant leaks around engine mount area
Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes and recheck oil level - top off if needed
Road test vehicle and verify smooth operation across RPM range with no timing-related noises
Recheck all torque specifications after first 100 miles of operation

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