Hi,

I have a 98 corolla, manual transmission (76,000 miles) and the timing chain
tensioner seems to start leaking oil every couple of years and needs to be
replaced. On two occasions I've had the tensioner replaced twice within six
months. I was beginning to wonder if this was a scam by the dealer until I
saw oil dripping from the suspension on my car yesterday and I brought it in
to the dealer today and I was told the tensioner they had put in last July
"failed".  They didn't charge me anything or make up a story to extort money
so I guess they're honest but does anyone know if this is normal? Is this a
design flaw? Is there anything I can do to avoid this problem like warming
up the car (which I don't do even during the winter here in the north east
US) or driving like a grandma (which I do pretty much anyway)? The problem
seems to keep happening even when I drive less (I retired a few years after
I bought the car) so could the problem be due to corrosion/deterioration
rather than wear? Can I buy a galvanized titanium or carbon fiber reinforced
composite timing chain tensioner anywhere that will last longer?

Thanks