Is my timing chain guide broken?

[CodiBroney]

When installing a new timing chain tensioner on the passenger side, there was no resistance screwing it in, like there was for the driver side tensioner. Could this indicate something is broken?

 

[koda2000]

Remove the lower oil pan (easy to do on the 2WD, harder on the 4WD). If you find pieces of broken tan colored plastic in the pan your TC cassette is broken. That would explain why there was no resistance when you installed the new rear tensioner.

Ford Mazda Mercury 4.0L SOHC Timing Chain Gears Cassette Rail Set (Right Side) | eBay

 

[CodiBroney]

When I had the tensioner out I pick a small piece of dark brown material that seemed to be plastic. But it wasn't extremely hard. Unsure if that would be from the guide?

 

[kuntryquesttsi]

It depends on where the cam is in rotation. it could have tension on the chain or not making it easier or harder.