4.0 Knowledge Needed

[XLT469]

I really need some help here my 02 4.0 (vin e) has died on me.This newer ford sohc is new to me,but after alot of searching im guessing something in my front timing is gone,it has 158,000 since i got it,its had the rattle,last few times i had it running it ran ruff,when it started,then it "popped" and now sounds like a drag race starter when it turns over.it has fire and fuel,but nothing.Im in the process of pulling front apart,but when i get there,how do i check the timing,and align it?From what i understand you need a special tool for ford,also the back chain doesnt usually go.I Think i can go in the front,replace a few things and be back on the road.My biggest question is how do i set the timing without the tool,and without pulling motor?Even if i needed tool,from what i understand u need to set with the back chain also.Thanks for any help,this is my only buggy and i miss driving it. -Andrew

 

[Vette76]

XLT, it sounds like you may have an issue with your front timing chain tensioner which may have caused your left camshaft to have jumped timing and now it won't start. I truly hope that this is not the case because the solution is absolutely a real chore, even if you have some advanced skills.

You are correct that you can only time this engine with the use of a special tool. If you are doing just the front left chain tensioner, you can replace it and retime the engine while it is in the vehicle. If you are going to need to replace the rear chain tensioner, you'll have to remove the engine.

Easiest way to find out if it is the left chain is to spend some time taking off the left hand valve cover and looking down inside the cmashaft timing chain chamber, which is in the very front of the head. If there is something wrong with the left hand chain tensioner, you'll usually see something there...signs of a broken plastic tensioner.

I was in the same boat and did an extensive search. It took me around a dozen hours..yeah a dozen...reading through everything on this site regarding camshaft timing, chain tensioners, etc. After I read everything, I had marked those posts that best described the process for fixing the problem. I printed those out and cross referenced those with my shop manual...for which all practical purposes was useless compared to what the folks on this site had to offer ...and then read through them again and made notes in the margins. THEN...I was ready to ask the folks on this site for help!!

I have to tell you that after wrenching for 30 years and building several cars virtually from scratch, this was one of the hardest processes that I've ever attempted and I'm not even done yet. That said, there are a couple of members here that know this process like the back of their hands and will hopefully jump in!!

Best of luck.