cam chain tensioner - how to evaluate wear?

[fairdeal]

F225TXRD - ~1300 hrs - has been running great

Recently I started noticing a "tapping" sound at idle, when hot

the sound seems loudest in the area of the port side timing gear

I am about to check the valve lash (followed by a new timing belt)

and I HOPE to find the cause of the "tapping" while I'm at it..

there is some "abrasion" of the plastic of the port chain tensioner,

but otherwise I don't see anything else "worn"

can this tensioner be the origin of the sound I hear?

[fairdeal]

Thanks, Capt

I read your post from last summer,

at that time Rodbolt wrote

"my guess would be timing chain tensioner wear.
the belt tensioner typically makes a slapping noise if it fails.
the chain tensioner makes a tapping sound"

Well, I think I have "a tapping sound"

And I will happily replace the $226.49 tensioner if that's the cause

I just was expecting to see something more obviously "worn" than a little scuffed plastic...