A tensioner device for a belt or chain defines a housing defining a bore with a plunger disposed in the bore. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction. The housing further includes an oil chamber connected to an oil passage in communication with the oil chamber for delivering pressurized oil to the oil chamber, wherein when the oil chamber is pressurized the pressurized oil applies a counter force opposing a force of the spring.