4.0 SOHC Rear Timing Chain Tensioner Oil Leak

[2000StreetRod]

Congratulations! Hopefully, there will be no leaks for years. For the distant future, you may want to consider a pre-oiler so you'll never have to replace the tensioner again.

 

[Tekreck]

Sealing washer

Anyone who has a leaking chain tensioner needs to consider the following fix if you have exhausted all other options other than pulling and replacing the head.

See link below.
McMaster-Carr

We tried everything.
New crush washer, no crush washer, second $10 crush washer, Brass washer that comes with the SOHC timing chain tool kit, Gasket maker Black, Gasket maker Red (from the dealer), JB Weld, more JB Weld, buffed mating surface with die grinder and buffing pad, new tensioner, double crush washer.

$3.60 sealing washer from McMaster Carr and thread lock-tight, DONE! ZERO LEAKS!

Yes the washer is thicker than the crush washer but the tensioner seems to be working great. No chain rattle at all.

Good luck.

Just for the information of posterity - I tried this washer, and had high hopes for it - but on my 2003 Explorer I got severe chain rattle with it. I had an occasional sound that sounded like sheet metal rattling when coming off of a stop, and I thought it might be the beginnings of chain issues and so I changed tensioners as a preventive measure. Now I know what chain rattle sounds like.

I suspected it might be thick enough to keep the oil hole out of the circular oil canal, and I suspect this is what happened. I torqued to 52 lbs. I called McMaster-Carr about torque on the washer and recommended range was 90-120 ft/lbs (FYI).