97/98 SOHC V6 Timing Chain/Tensioner-MUST REPORT to FORD!!

[mditto]

I have been in contact with Ford Motor Company twice now concerning the 97/98 SOHC V6 timing chain tensioner problems. They contend that they are unaware of any problems and have not heard from any other owners. Anyone/everyone that has/is experiencing timing chain tensioner and related problems should contact Ford via e-mail at:
cacowner@customersupportctr.com
or call their toll-free customer line. We need as many owners to report this to Ford and NHTSA as soon as possible. Even those who's engines were repaired by Ford under warrenty should still report, it will happen to you again after warrenty... Some have had to replace the entire engine at their expense. Get the word out to all, we need to get this resolved. NHTSA has a website to report defects. This clearly appears to be a design/manufacturing defect, which Ford should make good to all owners of this product.

Mark Ditto

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[Fritz]

I think someone at Ford is full of BS.The new
part will be at your local Ford dealer sometime this month.If it is a real problem
your service manager can get it early.How do i know this you ask ? because mine was ordered yesterday.Mine is not that bad but
i don't know what damage it could do in the
long run.The new tensioner has some kind
valve to keep the oil near the tensioner
when you shut the engine off.

 

[MichaelF]

I am very interested in this topic. I took my '97 to a local dealer when it began to tick or rattle when first started. The sound was similiar to the way a small import engine sounds if it gets low on oil. When I picked it up it cost me a couple of hundred, but sounded great. They said it was the Timing Chain/Tensioner. The rattle started again 3 days later. Another trip to the dealer gave me the old..."operation of vehicle checks out normal". Help! What did I pay for and what is wrong with my vehicle?