I will let you know what I find when my durameter shows up. We changed out the tensioner to no luck. It runs better that it did before, but still CEL flashing and the codes below off my POS Elm unit. Total waste of time and money on our end both parts wise and diagnostic tool wise.
Getting to the 2nd bank tensioner was difficult, but relatively simple compared to replacing the actuator, which apparently need a motor drop. I miss my VW bus, I could drop the engine in 20 minutes flat...
Chris, I was steered towards Durametric by JFP in PA below, which will apparantly give you more abilty to test out the actual var timing solenoid that actuates the tensioner. The reader for a laptop and software was around $300 with shipping. From what I have seen spend the money on a good diagnostic tool.
We are betting the actuator is dead, but why pull an engine if you aren't sure.