I have a 2004 Intrepid 2.7 l. I started to get a knocking from the primary tensioner at startup. One night while driving noise became constant. I pulled over and towed it home. Opened the engine up and saw slack between the passenger cam and water pump. Diagnosed it as tensioner failure. I did the complete replacement including water pump. I was verifying correct timing and noticed the primary tensioner was popping every time I rotated to a compression in the engine. I put it all together and at startup, sure enough, tapping, and no solid tension on the guide. I thought I got a crap tensioner, pulled it out and found the o-ring torn??? inspected the bore, wiped it down, got another tensioner, installed it and again the tensioner is popping at startup and won't prime up.

Is there a trick to installing the tensioner??
Can it be primed if you have to insert it in the cocked position?
Could it be the oil pump? I cranked it while the cover was off, oil shot out of secondary tensioner along with lifters.

 

What is funny about your post is that it was awhile ago and still has no responses your problem like my own must be pretty serious. I thought my tensioner was click-clacking also my thoughts are it could be the primary timing chain guides are worn possible bent valve I at this point have my entire engine torn apart