A check valve assembly (20) and method of assembly can include a hydraulic tensioner (10) having a body (12) defining an inlet fluid passage with an inlet fluid passage port (14a) having a valve seat(14b). The check valve assembly (20) can include a retainer (22) located within the body (12), a valve disk (30) having a sealing surface (32), and a biasing member (34) normally biasing the valve disk (30) toward the inlet fluid passage port (14a). The retainer (22) can define an outlet passage (24). The valve disk (30) and the biasing member (34) can be received within a cavity (26) of the retainer (22). The biasing member (34) can allow reciprocal movement of the valve disk (30) from a closed seated position sealing the inlet fluid passage port (14a) to an open unseated position spaced fromthe inlet fluid passage port (14a) opening the inlet passage.