• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Timing chain tensioner


Darenp

New Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Washington
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I have acquired a 2001 that has 123k miles on it. It has never had the timing chain tensioners replaced, and it doesn’t rattle on start up or while driving around. I was thinking about replacing them because I have read that they should be replaced every 70k. A buddy of mine said if they are that old then to just leave them because the old tensioners might be holding the old guides together and once I take the tensioners out the guides might fall apart. Does anybody know if there is any truth to that? If I change the tensioners and the guides fall apart would it still be okay to start it up to drive into the garage to pull the engine? Or would it be dead and have to repaired in the same spot.
 


G8orFord

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Messages
814
Reaction score
803
Points
93
Location
FL
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC S/C
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
Just the right size to touch the ground.
My '01 had 258k on it when I pulled it down. The guides were completely toast. They were worn and broken in several places. It's actually pretty amazing the timing had not jumped. I don't think I'd bother just replacing the tensioners, especially if it's not rattling at all now. What your friend said is possible. Probably not a given, but possible.

If you do it, just do it in the spot you'd pull the engine in to start with or plan on being able to push or pull it into that spot. I wouldn't try to start it if I thought the tensioners had fell out of place.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,710
Reaction score
13,166
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I know on my 06... the lower oil pan is easily removed. Not sure about the earlier ones. But if the guides are failing... you will see the evidence in the oil pan.
 

G8orFord

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Messages
814
Reaction score
803
Points
93
Location
FL
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC S/C
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
Just the right size to touch the ground.
There wasn't much in my pan, but there was enough to know something wasn't right had I dropped the lower pan before pulling the engine.
 

Darenp

New Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Washington
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Okay thanks guys I think maybe I’ll take pan off first then decide. I have to do brake work so I’ll take the pan off then and see if anything is in there or not then go from there
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top