A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cavity with a plunger disposed in the cavity. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction. An oil passage is in communication with the cavity for delivering pressurized oil to the cavity and an oil reservoir is disposed in the housing and in communication with the cavity. The oil reservoir includes a vent opening at a vertical level at least as high as the oil passage into the cavity so that oil is maintained with the cavity when the tensioner is installed in an inverted orientation.