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Fed Up & Want EXPERIENCED input

Joined
February 6, 2015
Messages
11
Reaction score
3
City, State
Houston TX
Year, Model & Trim Level
2004 Ford Explorer EB
Excuse my irritation, but I have replaced the timing cassettes in my 2004 4.0 TWICE... and both times the kits lasted about 24k miles.

The first replacement set I purchased cheap, off of ebay. When they went out in under a year, I presumed "lesson learned on buying cheap parts" and went straight for buying the second set of timing cassettes from a Ford dealership at twice the cost. Imagine my dang surprised and disgust that I can now hear the rear timing cassette failing AGAIN!

DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW OF A DAG GUM QUALITY TIMING KIT I CAN ORDER?!?! OBVIOUSLY they must exist some where, if the original set lasted 150k+ miles.

For the love of God if I pull this engine for the 3rd time to replace the timing cassettes again, I want a dependable cassette that won't wear through and disintegrate in under a year.

If you actually KNOW of a quality kit for sell -- as in know know (not in theory) -- PLEEEEEEASE share!!
 



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There may be something else causing the premature failure. Haven't done timing on a 4.0 SOHC to know, but the Ford one should have certainly lasted longer.

What all was replaced when the work was done previously?
 






There may be something else causing the premature failure. Haven't done timing on a 4.0 SOHC to know, but the Ford one should have certainly lasted longer.

What all was replaced when the work was done previously?

Everything associated with the timing system was replaced. Every bit of it. I am actually extremely experienced as a mechanic 30+ years, added to the fact that I am meticulous, naturally excel at mechanics, and read all published materials I can before proceeding. I even used the special tool kit, rather than venturing without it even though I was confident I could.

I also use top motor oils and change my oil religiously. So the polymer of the timing cassettes crumbling to pieces has me extremely upset, considering it required and entire engine removal to accomplish the job.

That being said, thanks to Rick's share, I am going to venture to replace with Ford parts once more, but also install a "pre-oiler"... rather logical concept that I am thankful to be introduced to. I am also going to replace, again, the hydraulic tensioner on that timing cassette, in the off chance the other replacement is faulty.
 






get the complete cloyes kit.
 






Excuse my irritation, but I have replaced the timing cassettes in my 2004 4.0 TWICE... and both times the kits lasted about 24k miles.

The first replacement set I purchased cheap, off of ebay. When they went out in under a year, I presumed "lesson learned on buying cheap parts" and went straight for buying the second set of timing cassettes from a Ford dealership at twice the cost. Imagine my dang surprised and disgust that I can now hear the rear timing cassette failing AGAIN!

DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW OF A DAG GUM QUALITY TIMING KIT I CAN ORDER?!?! OBVIOUSLY they must exist some where, if the original set lasted 150k+ miles.

For the love of God if I pull this engine for the 3rd time to replace the timing cassettes again, I want a dependable cassette that won't wear through and disintegrate in under a year.

If you actually KNOW of a quality kit for sell -- as in know know (not in theory) -- PLEEEEEEASE share!!
Did you find the kit and what brand did you settle on? Ive been searching for days now...Where did you purchase it..thanks
 






Ford dealership. Discovered my issue was not also replacing the hydraulic tensioners with the new timing cassettes. Once I replaced the tensioners everything has been great.
 






I'm confused, you'd said you had replaced everything.
Were the replacement tensioners bad? Or were they still original?
 






Having completed this task for a second time several weeks ago, I learned how important it is to "pre-oil" the tensioners. I had to submerge them into a rather tall (taller than the body of tensioner) container filled with 5w-30 oil. Then pumpted 20+ times the plunger until the air bubbles finally came out of the hole at the top (and/or bottom), and the plunger became rock hard (resistance-wise). (I have photos if you anyone wants them and can guide me how to post.)

Until I did this the new cassette/timing chain on the right (rear, passenger) side would occasionally "catch" something as I rotated the engine clockwise by hand. Maybe every 5-6 revolutions. Had to back off (rotate a few degrees counter-clockwise). I became worried that on initial startup (i.e., until the oil pressure built up the tensioners) there could be premature wear/damage to the cassette unless I performed this pre-priming of the tensioner.

I did not see this procedure mentioned on the Cloyes video or anywhere else authoritative, though someone mentioned it (Streetrod2000?) along the way.

Cloyes are the OEM of these kits, and have a pretty good video on installation on youtube. Drew.
 






I just replaced the tb in my civic today in 3 hours..water pump tensioner for $85. Good for another 105k..if i would have known about this 4.0 debacle i would have not purchased my 05 sport trac..ive put 45..yes 45 miles on it...i dont trust it to go to walmart..start-up rattle. Boy it so clean though..to bad its disposal because of this issue...my accord has 589,400 with the original engine and trans..im still deciding what to do..thanks everyone for solid info and advice on this site...
 












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