4.6L V8 - Do you have a timing chain replacement kit recommendation?

[SyberTiger]

Are there certain timing chain kits to avoid. I see a lot of inexpensive complete kits on eBay but don't know if these typically are cheap and have problems. Also, while I'm in there does it make sense to replace the oil pump as I have 150K miles on the engine?

 

[drdoom]

I used a Cloyes kit that I bought online. Just remember the kits are available with sprockets and chains, without sprockets, without chains, etc., or a la carte.

 

[drdoom]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...6l-explorer-engine-timing-chain-ooops.204267/
This is a good thread.

 

[SyberTiger]

I used a Cloyes kit that I bought online. Just remember the kits are available with sprockets and chains, without sprockets, without chains, etc., or a la carte.

For example, something like THIS LISTING. Anything that jumps out that this is a crappy kit?

 

[drdoom]

What concerns me is that it says DOHC... I would stick with a name brand, it's too much work and risk to go cheap on internal parts. YMMV

 

[Hugh Janus]

Are there certain timing chain kits to avoid. I see a lot of inexpensive complete kits on eBay but don't know if these typically are cheap and have problems. Also, while I'm in there does it make sense to replace the oil pump as I have 150K miles on the engine?

Don't mess with the pump unless you've got hard evidence of a failure - it isn't that easy to replace. I've used the full Cloyes kit, even though I didn't need to replace the sprockets. If the guides aren't worn through to the metal backing, you can just replace the chains,guides. But if you check oil pressure and it is low, you need tensioner too. Given the work to get in there, and the uncertainty of what you'll find, the full kit is the safest option - and get it from Rockauto.

 

[SyberTiger]

Don't mess with the pump unless you've got hard evidence of a failure - it isn't that easy to replace. I've used the full Cloyes kit, even though I didn't need to replace the sprockets. If the guides aren't worn through to the metal backing, you can just replace the chains,guides. But if you check oil pressure and it is low, you need tensioner too. Given the work to get in there, and the uncertainty of what you'll find, the full kit is the safest option - and get it from Rockauto.

I would have thought the oil pump easy to replace while you are in there...no? Because there isn't enough room to get in there or there's other stuff in the way?

I briefly read THESE COMMENTS about the oil pump.

 

[Hugh Janus]

I would have thought the oil pump easy to replace while you are in there...no? Because there isn't enough room to get in there or there's other stuff in the way?

I briefly read THESE COMMENTS about the oil pump.

Can't drop the pan on a 4wd explorer, and there is precious little room to get at the bolts. There may be a trick to doing it in an Explorer I'm unaware of - check Youtube.

 

[SyberTiger]

Can't drop the pan on a 4wd explorer, and there is precious little room to get at the bolts. There may be a trick to doing it in an Explorer I'm unaware of - check Youtube.

Thanks...I didn't realize that the oil pan had to be removed to fully access the oil pump. I had also heard on the 4x4 that you can't remove the pan from the bottom. Oh well, I'm not aware of an oil pressure problem on my vehicle. I was just considering it since I was already in the area.

Do the oil pumps generally last forever in most cases?