1999 4.0L Timing chain install question

[Mutineer]

A buddy of mine had the death rattle, and then His truck quit running.

Itll barely idle, and dies after a few seconds, can keep it running if you feather the gas.

Misfire codes on all cylinders

We thought the Cat might be stopped up, so we cut them off and no difference.

Our best guess is that it jumped time...

Here is some pictures of what we found during the exploratory into the timing cover:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=887&pictureid=7756

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=887&pictureid=7753

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=887&pictureid=7755

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=887&pictureid=7747

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=887&pictureid=7757

Looking at the Circled part in the last picture, it looks to me like something is missing... I have always seen another chain running down to the (?)oil pump(?) and this one has nothing...

I know the set was swapped out to the tune of $2500.00 aboout 5 years ago.

looking at these pics it seems like this tensioner should have a spring or at least some "tension" on it... it was flopping and the chain is loose. I believe we have found the culprit... Opinions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mutineer]

Dont know why the pictures arent showing...

 

[boominXplorer]

I can't see the pics but pull the passenger valve cover and check the rear chain. The condition of the rear guide will determine if the engine needs to come out or not.

Only 3 chains on a 2wd, 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. I have a feeling the main chain has jumped a few teeth. As long as it hasn't gone more than 3 or 4 teeth on the crank there wont be any valve damage.

 

[Mutineer]

Replaced pictures in OP with links to the pictures... thatll work

 

[BubbaFL]

Replaced pictures in OP with links to the pictures... thatll work

Pic links don't work...

 

[Mutineer]

You can go to my profile and its in my albums... Thats weird cuz they work for me.

 

[BubbaFL]

You can go to my profile and its in my albums... Thats weird cuz they work for me.

Sorry, doesn't work - when I try to view your albums I get

"Serious Explorations"
Invalid Album specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator You can use our Google search box to search for a similar thread.

You might try a flickr or photobucket instead.

 

[Mutineer]

 

[Mutineer]

Worked that time

 

[2000StreetRod]

no balance shaft

If your buddy's Explorer is two wheel drive it has no balance shaft.

Did you compression test the cylinders?

The original primary tensioner looks like it may still be functional.

I suggest checking the left and right cassette guide assemblies: SOHC V6 Timing Chain Inspection & Repair

 

[Mutineer]

If your buddy's Explorer is two wheel drive it has no balance shaft.

Did you compression test the cylinders?

The original primary tensioner looks like it may still be functional.

I suggest checking the left and right cassette guide assemblies: SOHC V6 Timing Chain Inspection & Repair

Ok. Yeah its a 2WD. That explains it.

He said he did compression tests and it tested good. He hired me to pull the timing cover off, and after some research, i agree the tensioner looks good, although i havent set the crank to check the timing marks yet. I know you cant turn counterclockwise, and when i turn the crank clockwise it seems to take a quarter turn before it "engages". I never feel compression like I should when turning it over, it seems like the same resistance all the way around, so im not sure how he saw good compression... My compression guage is broken so i didnt check it myself, just pulled the cover so he could see inside...

Seems like more is going on than we can see under the front cover...