Hey everyone I live in Costa Rica and drive an 87 Montero with the gas 2.6L 4 cylinder.
I had to pull the head to inspect the piston area. I found a small nut that made its way into the chamber where it was bouncing around smashing the electrode on the spark plugs. Have no clue how it got in there maybe previous rebuilder left a surprise for me. So Im inspecting my timing chain while everything is open. The cam gears look good, chain looks good. Since it is a self tension chain Im not sure how to inspect it for freeplay. If I pull up on the passengers side of the chain I can move it 1/4 in up. Which seems like the spring in the tensor is giving a bit when under pressure and the chain returns back to its original position when I let go. So does anyone have some pointers on inspecting the timing chain? I dont have the timing cover off just the head. Thanks Trever

With the head off, the only inspection you can do is the visual condition. Unless you pull the timing cover, there are no additional check.

Look it up in the FSM (Factory Service Manual )@ mitsubishilinks.com

Tagged following. My '87 2.6 is knocking under acceleration from the front of the engine. Hoping it is the cam chain tensioner instead of a balance shaft or main bearing
Norm

Your knocking...does it sound like pre-detonation? Do you feel a power loss when the engine is knocking?