newbie in Halifax

[jddanks]

Hi all, I'm a new member based in Halifax, (Yorkshire, not Canada), and was wondering if anyone knows of anyone who repairs explorers around the area.I'm in need of the timing tensioner upgrade, and a few other niggly things, and would rather find someone familiar with the exp rather than let someone practise on it. just as a matter of interest, are any special ford tools required to do the timing chain tensioner?
I have had a 98 explorer since Nov, and other than the rattles I love it
...Dave

 

[BIGHVM]

Hi all, I'm a new member based in Halifax, (Yorkshire, not Canada), and was wondering if anyone knows of anyone who repairs explorers around the area.I'm in need of the timing tensioner upgrade, and a few other niggly things, and would rather find someone familiar with the exp rather than let someone practise on it. just as a matter of interest, are any special ford tools required to do the timing chain tensioner?
I have had a 98 explorer since Nov, and other than the rattles I love it
...Dave

Hi mate and welcome to the board- the tensioner that most people do first is the front one, just behind the thermostate valve body- this reuires no special tools and you can find many write ups some with pics- using the search function, type"00m12" that is the front timing tensioner kit you can get and includes and oil restrictor and the inlet manifold gaskits. The rear tensioner I did also on mine as it was infact making most of the noise! It is accessed by removing the inner wheel arch under the electric aerial, and yoku can see it in plain view- I think its 22 or 23mm and you will need a hefty drive and long extension to get some leverage on it- its damn tight and has to go in about as tight too!, mine was a quarter turn loose and the oil just hissed out of the gap!

Shame your not local I could have sorted them for you- but anycase if your handy with a spanner, and take your time its not too bad a job- really!

 

[jddanks]

Thanks for the info, I guess Ive been getting a little confused with this upgrade, I should be able to manage it if its as you say.. Id previously been reading through other posts and seen where people mentioned timing chain aligning tools etc and not being able to aquire them, im guessing thats just req if the chain is removed from the sprockets. I have been inside engines before, but its been well over 25 years ago, and they were far simpler beasts back then, (actually it was 1980, so almost 30 years ago).

 

[Howard]

Here are the best instructions for the oom12 kit. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=487634&postcount=33 . I've done quite a few of these for various members on here and it really is not to bad a job if you have the right tools.

Welcome to the site too. It would be great to see you at the Ford Fair.

 

[Terry876]

Hi JDDANKS, welcome to the forum and owning an EX, I can tell you no one in Halifax will touch an EX, most just scratch there head and say no, even the Ford garages local do the same, best one that has worked on one is clemo motors cleckheaton. At least they no what one looks like! Best ok luck with your work and if you see a grey northface driving around give us a wave. Terry Halifax.

 

[jddanks]

I'm figuring they can't be that hard to work on. I lived in Oklahoma for 8 years, and just about everyone worked on their own vehicles, mainly cos there was like 1 garage in town, and a lot of folks lived way out of town, so being able to fix yer own is kind of a neccessity. This is the first ford ive ever owned, tho I did have a 99 chevvy silverado and a 89 corvette while i was there, and did just about all the work on them myself (tho they didnt need much, just minor stuff, new fuel regulator, new tps etc) also the weather helped, I hate getting under cars in the cold and rain, and Oklahoma is HOTTTT.
One thing still puzzling me about this timing chain mod tho is i just seen a ad on ebay for doing the front for 500 quid and the front and rear for 800.(place called newport explorers)
if its just a couple of hours and 50 quids worth of parts , am i looking at the same fix as i think i need???. mine just makes a slight rattle on cold start and the revs surge a little. and i have noticed on a hot start the rattle is a bit worse ( sounds like it lacks oil) but only for a min or so, and the oil pressure is good

 

[Howard]

The ad for the chains is to replace the internal bits and pieces. The oom12 kit is purely outside and does not require very much dismantling. I would start with that and the rear tensioner which you can get separately. Along with an oil change. If you still have issues then you may need the more expensive fixes.

 

[jddanks]

I read somewhere that on these explorers theres a design fault which causes the tensioners (or part of them) to break up and clog up the oilways and also maybe cause the chain to break thro the engine case. so does this simple oom12 kit fix this, or is the fix for that the more expensive internal one? and thanks to all of you for help and patience in helping an old thicko who should be smart enough to not be confused as he is

 

[Howard]

The flaw is that the guides are made of plastic. If these break up you are in real trouble, and yes that is the more expensive job. The oom12 kit simply replaces a worn out oil pressure tensioner along with the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, which harden over time and leak air, causing rough running and poor cold starting. From what you say about you slight rattle it sounds like the oom12 kit and the extra rear tensioner will sort it out.

 

[SmithA]

If these break up you are in real trouble, and yes that is the more expensive job.

i can say from experience that if it breaks it is expensive, cost me 1k to get fixed, although he did change the chain and a few other bits while he was at it.

andy

 

[jddanks]

So, is there any way for sure of knowing which fix is needed...(without waiting for it to all go kaput) ?

 

[Howard]

Well not that I know of, for absolute sure anyway. But as the oom12 is the cheaper and easier option it is worth doing that and the rear tensioner and see if it all goes away. If not then you have not wasted any thing as these items are needed anyway.