02 4.0 FEAD tensioner break

[joachimf]

Dear all,

had a strange prob recently with our '02 4.0 XLS M/T 2WD at circa 80k mls. The end stop of the FEAD belt tensioner broke off and the tensioner snapped over. So I went to the local parts store and bought a DAYCO replacement.

This replacement had provided sevice for only four weeks, seme had happened, end stop broke off. So I decided to buy an OEM replacement and it has worked ever since.

I'd like to know the reason.... has our 245cui V6 developed a FEAD tensioner eating manner or was the DAYO replacemet just a 'substandard design'?

Thank you for your help!!!

Joachim
07 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4
02 Explorer XLS M/T 4x2
95 Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible
82 Corvette Coupe
67 Mustang 289 M/T Convertible

 

[muzzymaniac]

I'm surprised you actually broke a tensioner. The springs go bad but most last long over 80k. Do you have the correct belt? Any of your other pulleys bent?

 

[joachimf]

Here are the pics, old OEM tensioner and DAYCO replacement:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s16/lnkf/OEMtens3.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s16/lnkf/dayco3.jpg

 

[muzzymaniac]

Yea so? I doubt it was tensioner failure on it's own. You need to start looking at the other components that contact the belt. Something is putting too much pressure on the belt.

 

[joachimf]

Well..... maybe. All belt driven components, A/C, W/P, P/S, C/S and idler pulley do not have any run out and spin freely, well away from C/S. No other things can contat belt.

Switching on and off A/C does not show any movement on the tensioner.

After I have changed to a new FORD OEM part everithing has been fine ever since.

 

[joachimf]

At the moment winter takes a little break, snow is gone and it is sunny with high 40s. So I did some maintenance on lawn mowers and vehicles. Remember I had a FEAD tensioner eater issue with the '02 Explorer last spring. Had read here about crank harmonic balancer could be out of tolerance at the vulcanized-on rib serpentine section. Put a battery in the '02 last weekend at started it after four months. The little 245 started right away w/o any timing chain rattle and after 5 minutes I crawled under the car and checked the crank damper. Looks like new. Put a crayon stick on it to see whether it is running out, nothing. Still a question……