4.0 sohc timing chain rattle - everything you need to know
Seen many, many many many posts on here about the 4.0 sohc timing chain rattle, so here is literally everything you need to know about it.
I have recently rebuilt the top end of my 4.0, so do not hesitate to ask me questions on this thread or via PM if you can not find an answer looking through all of the following: Im not posting a how to as there are many links about causes/diagnosis/repairs scattered throughout the internet. Here I am going to post about every link known to man about how to deal with the infamous SOHC rattle. First off: THE FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE BETWEEN 2001~2004, AFTER THAT, FORD USED THE UPDATED HARDWARE. THAT STILL DOES NOT MEAN YOUR 2005+ 4.0 WONT DEVELOP PROBLEMS. ALL 4.0 SOHC OWNERS SHOULD REPLACE THE PLUNGER TYPE SCREW-IN TENSIONERS EVERY 70,000 MILES OR SO TO PREVENT CHAIN SLACK, WHICH KILLS THE GUIDES! If the rattle is ONLY on startup, and never at idle, or at any other RPMS's it is most likely the tensioners. They screw into the block and are ~$80 from ford. Much better than having to possibly remove the engine to replace all of the guides. They look like this: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/201397...-1/s-l1000.jpg If that does not solve the problem, look here: If you hear the rattle coming from the front of the engine, it is MOST LIKELY coming from the primary cassette/tensioner (the chain that connects the crank to the jackshaft and drivers side cylinder head) Here is a picture of one that is fubar: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...chmentid=60234 Here is one that has been corrected using the updated componets: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...9-VgP07pen-e3w If this is your problem, then you DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENGINE!! all you have to do is pull the front timing cover as you would with a pushrod engine. Also, if the drivers side guide is broken, you can replace it with the engine in as well. Now, if the rattling is coming from the rear passenger side, you'll either have to remove the engine or transmission in order to replace the chain and guide set, HOWEVER it IS possible to replace the rear GUIDE without removing the engine. Note, guide only. To remove as well the chain you have to at LEAST remove the transmission in order to pop off the rear jackshaft sprocket cover in order to remove the bolt holding on the sprocket. The ford OTC-6488 tool is designed so that you can remove the rear cam sprocket, replace the guide, and re-time the cams with the engine in the vehicle, remind you, it'll be cramped, but it is possible. In fact, using alldata, the service procedure has you replace the rear guide with the engine in. There have been people who have successfully replaced the rear guide with the engine in. Now, here are links to all of the SOHC replacement threads. I highly recommend using a database like all data, or a Haynes or factory ford service manual along with these links. A lot of these links are for 4.0 explorers, but the process is essentially the same, however, use ranger 4.0 torque specs as the explorers have had two types of 4.0's in them; Job 1's with the aluminum valve covers, and the Job 2 explorer 4.0s which were similar to the 2001+ ranger 4.0's, so be careful when you search torque specs. To play it safe, use alldata or a service manual. timing chain replacement walktrhough PDF: http://sohcreplace.blogspot.com/2008...97-2005-4.html Links to SOHC timing chain related threads, search through all of them until you find what you need: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=278100 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=316471 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=287416 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=269442 This guy has many videos on replacement of the 4.0 SOHC timing chain/guides/tensioners. Here is the link to his youtube channel. with a long list of videos on how he did it. https://www.youtube.com/user/cruzroy...y=timing+chain 4.0 SOHC TIMING CHAIN PART NUMBERS Jackshaft/primary timing chain kit 2U3Z6D256CA includes: Crankshaft bolt harmonic balancer E7RY6A340B Tensioner-engine jackshaft chain YL2Z6L266AA Gasket-cylinder/timing front cover F77Z6020AB superseded by 1L2Z6020AA Sprocket/gear-engine jackshaft/intermediate 2U3Z6M264AA Guide-engine jackshaft chain 2L2Z6K297AA Bolt-jackshaft sprocket bolt F77Z6M264BA superseded by 2L2Z6279AA (included when 2U3Z6M264AA is purchased) Sprocket/gear-crankshaft two wheel drive 2L2Z6306BA Chain-engine jackshaft F77Z6268AB Bolt-camshaft sprocket right hand Bolt-camshaft sprocket left hand F77Z6279BA Left/front timing chain cassette assembly 7U3Z6A257A includes: Timing chain Guide assembly YL2Z6M273AA superseded by 7U3Z6A257A Bolt-guide assembly upper mount Sprocket/gear-camshaft Sprocket/gear-jackshaft front Right/rear timing chain cassette assembly 4L2Z6M290AA includes: Timing chain Guide assembly Sprocket/gear-camshaft Sprocket/gear-jackshaft rear Intake manifold gaskets: 1L2Z-9461-CA Left timing chain tensioner 7U3Z6K254B Tensioner metal O ring XU2Z6M252AA Right timing chain tensioner 7U3Z6K254A supersedes XU3Z6K254BA Right timing chain guide assembly upper positioning bolt F77Z6U000BA Jackshaft rear sprocket retaining bolt W703167S430 Cover assy/rear of block jackshaft opening plug F77Z6026AB Left cassette assembly lower mounting bolt W500100S300 Jackshaft chain guide mounting bolt W500100S300 Sprocket/gear-crankshaft inner four wheel drive F77Z6306BE Sprocket/gear - crankshaft outer four wheel drive 2L2Z6306AA Balance shaft chain guide F77Z6K297BC Balance shaft chain tensioner 1L2Z6L266AA Balance shaft chain F77Z6268BC Balance shaft assembly 1L2Z6A311AA Seal-front timing cover E6TZ6700A was superseded by 5H2Z6700AA Seal-rear main crankshaft F5TZ6701A Gasket set-valve cover F77Z6584AE Gasket-lower oil pan 4L2Z6710AA year 2000+ F77Z6710BA year 1997-1999 Gasket-upper oil pan/reinforcement section F77Z6710AA Block cradle retaining bolt seal F77Z-6734-AB (Listed as engine oil drain plug gasket) Left camshaft F7TZ6250AEE was superseded by 7L2Z6250D Right camshaft F77Z6250AE Exhaust manifold outlet bolts (M12-1.75X54.5 H) N811747S2 *NOTE: I am not responsible for damages done to your vehicle, repair at your own risk* |
Re: 4.0 sohc timing chain rattle - everything you need to know
Great Info - Thanks for gathering it all together!
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Yea that one was a pain, trying to push, turn and not crossthread at the same time lol
---------- We cut one of the old tensioners and used it as a thread chaser. |
Quote:
|
Lol as the video goes on you can see we went until night. As you may know working on a vehicle+4 FRF buddies = endless bs time....which is why it took so long haha.
|
Re: 4.0 sohc timing chain rattle - everything you need to know
Noticed Rattle on startup at 148,000 2002 Ford Edge V6 4.0L.
Checked round and found out about Primary Timing Chain rattle noise. Took vehicle to Ford dealership. They knew what it was without me talking about it. They wanted $4K to tear down and put in new tensioner with no guarantee. $6K for remanufactured engine with minimal guarantee. I was extremely disappointed to say the least. Engine froze up on the way home and had vehicle towed. This has priced me out of repairing a mint condition vehicle except for the Ford flaw. This is a money generating flaw by Ford. All with no help to the customer. Have several friends who used to own Rangers and Escapes/Mariners. They had these problems in the 90's and recently, but, did not know what the real problem was. They all have walked away from Fords entirely forever and now own foreign vehicles. I wanted to stay with American trucks, however, I cannot afford to keep taking huge financial hits with Ford products. |
Quote:
|
Re: 4.0 sohc timing chain rattle - everything you need to know
I have a 2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 SOHC with 159,000 miles. Approximately 7-8 thousand miles ago I began having a rattle as my truck would upshift between 2.5 and 3k RPM. I didn't make much of it and at the time was unaware of this issue. The rattle has progressed and will occur during acceleration from 2.5k RPM and up. Also, it makes a very brief but load rattle on cold starts. I have noticed that the noise which occurs while driving is not there when the engine is still warming up just after I leave my house. I haven't been able to isolate the location of the rattle so I am unsure which tensioners are causing the issue. Based off of the description I gave can you make any guesses?
|
Quote:
|
Gonna try and tackle replacing the pre-tensioners. I've come across some conflicting information though. Do you need to "prime" them with oil before install? I've read that you need to and also that it's not necessary. My understanding of how the tensioner works is that the spring holds tension in the chain until hydraulic pressure from the oil can maintain tension. So it would make sense that you wouldn't need to prime them. But, I've been wrong before, so I figured I'd better ask.
|
Anybody?
|
Re: 4.0 sohc timing chain rattle - everything you need to know
tensioners should of been replaced at 70000 miles. at least one of your guides is gone. 2001 had weak guide design. front of motor guide most likely. will have to pull timing chain cover to check.
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:06 AM. |