Should I consider pulling the engine and doing a complete chain replacement?
So I still have a concern about the other chains and their guides, specifically the balance shaft chain.
Given what we know about the timing chain guides and their failure rates on the 4.0, and given that my engine has 160k miles on it, should I pull the engine and replacing all the timing components?
My main concern lies with the balance shaft tensioner. If you look at the attached picture, you can see the color difference on the plastic of the tensioner where the chain has rubbed through. In addition, the tensioner seems a little weak to me and I believe StreetRod has said these are known to fail around 150k miles.
Or, should I just replace the main tensioner (which to me clearly needs to be replaced), reassemble, and go on my merry little way, waiting for the other failures later on down the road, if they ever happen (which I'm guessing they will at some point).
At this point, I plan on driving the truck for as long as I can. It's not a daily driver, but more for a cruising truck, used for taking the boat out of the lake and used more during the winter for the 4-wheel drive.
All input appreciated, thanks in advance,
Chris