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  #1  
Old 01-30-2018, 12:28 PM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Hey guys, long time no post. Title is self-explanatory. I replaced the external timing chain tensioners on my truck because it had 81k miles when I bought it and I had no idea if the tensioners had ever been changed. However, I still have an intermittent rattle that is there on some cold startups but not on others. It lasts for less than a second, literally just when the engine first catches. Are the internal cassettes worn enough that it's approaching the time for the timing chains to be done, or did I miss doing something on these tensioners? It's very frustrating because on some cold starts (~30 degrees) there is no rattle (about 70% of the time) but sometimes there is. Any ideas?
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Old 01-30-2018, 01:06 PM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Did you use Ford Chain tensioners? If you did then it’s possible the old ones were bad enough to wear the plastic cassettes? Also what oil are you using?


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Old 01-30-2018, 01:20 PM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

I did use Ford tensioners, and I'm running Valvoline 5-30 full synthetic oil with 5k changes
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Old 01-30-2018, 01:25 PM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

I was told by a Ford mechanic that 3k oil changes only because it blows the Tensioners. Clean out your oil pan really good, then when you do your next oil change look for any plastic pieces in the waste oil. Also it’s possible that if it’s cold where you live the oil is settling down and taking a minute to get the pressure up.


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)

Last edited by 99Ranger376; 01-30-2018 at 02:18 PM.
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Old 01-31-2018, 11:13 AM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

It's very cold where I live, always under 20 when I fire this truck up in the winter. So it may be partially normal for the circumstances I'm in and I'm just going to have to live with it. thanks for the insight.
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Old 01-31-2018, 01:33 PM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

You’re welcome, My ‘11 rattles for a second when it’s under 20 but I’ve never been concerned because it goes away immediately. Does your truck do it when it’s warmer out say 40+ ?


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Old 01-31-2018, 02:24 PM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

My '02 will rattle the timing chain for a split second intermittently on cold start. Does it more in colder weather. I change oil at 5k miles using a Motorcraft FL820S filter and 5w-30 high mileage semi-sythenic oil. Also Motorkote every 3 oil changes. Truck has 169k miles.

Timing chain will also make noise above 2600 rpm so I keep it below that. Means I'm going 65 mph on the freeway.
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Old 01-31-2018, 04:07 PM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

That noise at 2600 is a sign that your tensioners are going if you haven’t already you should replace them.


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)
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Old 01-31-2018, 09:58 PM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

That honestly makes me feel so much better, the 2011 rattling for just a tiny bit of time. That’s how mine is- it goes away almost as soon as it starts.


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Old 02-01-2018, 07:23 AM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Quote:
Originally Posted by 99Ranger376 View Post
That noise at 2600 is a sign that your tensioners are going if you haven’t already you should replace them.


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My 'bro has been a heavy repair mechanic at Ford dealers his whole life. Right now the timing chain system is a crap-shoot. I just baby it and cross my fingers. Members of this site probably know the amount of work involved to replace the timing chain tensioners and/ or related parts. His suggestion is if I'm going to do the timing chain stuff to just replace the whole long block.
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Old 02-01-2018, 09:09 AM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Quote:
Originally Posted by beau-tech View Post
My 'bro has been a heavy repair mechanic at Ford dealers his whole life. Right now the timing chain system is a crap-shoot. I just baby it and cross my fingers. Members of this site probably know the amount of work involved to replace the timing chain tensioners and/ or related parts. His suggestion is if I'm going to do the timing chain stuff to just replace the whole long block.


Replacing the cassettes, yes absolutely might as well do a rebuild while you are there. However just replacing the tensioners is fairly easy, the only ass ache removing the thermostat housing. Just replacing the tensioners may stop your rattling and prevent any further damage to the cassettes.


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)
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  #12  
Old 02-07-2018, 12:11 AM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

So you guys would say to just drive it until the rattle gets worse or doesn't go away when it's warm?
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Old 02-07-2018, 06:26 AM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

I would say replace the tensioners, it’s pretty easy and should stop the rattle because a rattle for a short time on start up or cold suggests the spring in the tensioners are worn out. So it’s taking a second to get the oil pressure up in the tensioners to hold tension, this is what the springs are supposed to do but can’t when they are worn.


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)
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  #14  
Old 02-07-2018, 03:51 PM
flyboy12 flyboy12 is offline
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Default 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Thing is, I replaced one in November and one right at the beginning of the year...


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----------

The truck runs great, like I said the rattle is intermittent. Some cold starts it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. The tensioners I used were motorcraft brand. Torqued then to spec. I’m very lost. Truck has 90k miles on it. 2006- so it’s supposed to have the updated guides and cassettes.


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  #15  
Old 02-07-2018, 06:56 PM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
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Default Re: 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Still Rattles

Quote:
Originally Posted by 99Ranger376 View Post
Replacing the cassettes, yes absolutely might as well do a rebuild while you are there. However just replacing the tensioners is fairly easy, the only ass ache removing the thermostat housing. Just replacing the tensioners may stop your rattling and prevent any further damage to the cassettes.


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After looking at a couple of videos I see what you are describing. My bro must have meant the rear timing chain pieces. I will replace the tensioners when the weather warms up. Thank you for the help
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