OEM Timing Chain Tensioners

[ExplorerRider]

Okay... I have a 2005 4×4 Explorer w/4.0 Liter SOHC V6 & want to replace the two external timing chain tensioners. I would much, much prefer to use OEM/Motorcraft parts, but to my amazement, RockAuto doesn't have any Motorcraft/OEM tensioners, & anyone who has ever bought their own parts knows the savings they can deliver. A. Should I absolutely stick w/OEM tensioners, & B. if not, is there a tried-&-true aftermarket brand I could turn to? Thnx!

 

[wollimann]

I would also prefer OEM parts, last longer.

2005 Ford Explorer V6 4.0L Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set Ford OEM FDEEK00011

Order your Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set - today at 1AAuto.com. Up To 50% Off Prices EveryDay! Get Fast & Free Shipping On Premium Quality Parts. Shop Now & Save!

www.1aauto.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

regards Wolfgang

 

[410Fortune]

Yes factory only!!! Try your local ford dealers and Mercury and Mazda dealers maybe surprised at the prices
The sohc was used in mountaineers and Mazda b4000
Pickups

If you don’t want to spend the $$$ for ford tensioners the only other advice
We can give you is to consider stainless steel
Manual chain guide tensioners
Yes I said manual
A pair of them can be had for around $50

You set the tension, lock them down, and forget about it
Many of us do this and we have tested it for many years now, discussed at great length on this forum

They are made for the Polaris 999cc northstar engine

 

[ExplorerRider]

I would also prefer OEM parts, last longer.

2005 Ford Explorer V6 4.0L Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set Ford OEM FDEEK00011

Order your Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set - today at 1AAuto.com. Up To 50% Off Prices EveryDay! Get Fast & Free Shipping On Premium Quality Parts. Shop Now & Save!

www.1aauto.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

regards Wolfgang

Ty, sir. You're a gentleman & a scholar.

 

[ExplorerRider]

I would also prefer OEM parts, last longer.

2005 Ford Explorer V6 4.0L Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set Ford OEM FDEEK00011

Order your Timing Chain Tensioner 2 Piece Set - today at 1AAuto.com. Up To 50% Off Prices EveryDay! Get Fast & Free Shipping On Premium Quality Parts. Shop Now & Save!

www.1aauto.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

regards Wolfgang

So you think the Motorcrafts from 1A Auto would be legit? I know a lotta folks don't like them, but I've bought calipers & pads from them w/np whatsoever & good customer service.

 

[donalds]

1a auto is legit I buy from them all the time

 

[ExplorerRider]

Yes factory only!!! Try your local ford dealers and Mercury and Mazda dealers maybe surprised at the prices
The sohc was used in mountaineers and Mazda b4000
Pickups

If you don’t want to spend the $$$ for ford tensioners the only other advice
We can give you is to consider stainless steel
Manual chain guide tensioners
Yes I said manual
A pair of them can be had for around $50

You set the tension, lock them down, and forget about it
Many of us do this and we have tested it for many years now, discussed at great length on this forum

They are made for the Polaris 999cc northstar engine

After reading... DEFINITELY OEM ONLY! But earlier I stumbled upon the "factory method" of installing them as opposed to priming them before installation. Know anything about that???

 

[410Fortune]

I checked that site
It says oem ford brand both for $165
Sheesh they used to be $165 each! Cool

 

[ExplorerRider]

I checked that site
It says oem ford brand both for $165
Sheesh they used to be $165 each! Cool

Yeah... Now then, to prime or not to prime! Hehe

 

[410Fortune]

You can soak the tensioners in oil before install
I just dip the tips in oil
Then once installed hold the throttle pedal to the floor, this is “flood mode” and the engine will not fire but it will crank and build oil pressure, thus priming the tensioners

 

[ExplorerRider]

You can soak the tensioners in oil before install
I just dip the tips in oil
Then once installed hold the throttle pedal to the floor, this is “flood mode” and the engine will not fire but it will crank and build oil pressure, thus priming the tensioners

Appreciate that. I knew you could do a 'cold lube' before fire-up, but whether to fully prime them w/oil or not beforehand.... I've gotten 3 diff recommendations now! I think I'll take this route. Seems the most commonsense to me.

 

[4rd Xplora]

You can soak the tensioners in oil before install
I just dip the tips in oil
Then once installed hold the throttle pedal to the floor, this is “flood mode” and the engine will not fire but it will crank and build oil pressure, thus priming the tensioners

I do this the first start up of the day. Pedal down, crank for at least 10 seconds (sometimes till the gauge shows pressure, depending on how long it's been sitting) release the pedal, and start the day. No rattle at all. The rest of the day, just normal starts. BTW, I did change out the tensioners a while back because of all the horror stories related to the 4.0 SOHC.

 

[ExplorerRider]

I guess this would be my last question... My truck has 156,000 on it, but still fires up quietly & runs the same. I've actually read that if you've got bad components like guides &/or cassettes, sometimes removing these tensioners can accelerate the beginning of the end, since the guides and cassettes are what eventually get ya. Should I just let them be so long as she fires up quietly, or... ??? Appreciate any advice & my tensioners are Ford Motor Co. brand. Just came in. So what do y'all think???

 

[410Fortune]

Replace them
They lose their spring over time which is all they have on cold start to hold the guides snug to the chain
If you replace the tensioners now with oem or manual tensioners you are only buying time

The nylon guides are not going to come apart when you remove the tensioner or they would already be in pieces

The drivers head is difficult on the 97-01 sohc to replace simply because you have to remove the intake to get at it… good time to do intake seals and upgrade thermostat housing

Some sohc engines go 250-350k miles with just frequent oil changes
But there is no sohc out there with 156k that could not benefit from new oem or better tensioners

It is the cheap aftermarket parts that will cause issues, cloyes or duralast type parts store tensioners may last a year or less. Oem or manual set at proven to last and work

 

[ExplorerRider]

I do this the first start up of the day. Pedal down, crank for at least 10 seconds (sometimes till the gauge shows pressure, depending on how long it's been sitting) release the pedal, and start the day. No rattle at all. The rest of the day, just normal starts, I ng these did change out the tensioners a while back because of all the horror stories to the 4.0 SOHC.

I'm taking her to the shop tomorrow - I know a guy w/the nicest shop in town, not the most well-organized, but DEFINITELY the most well-equipped, he's been there since '83, he only works on certain folks' stuff, & only gets $70/hr! But I've read that sometimes, replacing these suckers, if you already have bad or brittle guides, cassettes, etc, can actually do ya more harm than good, & I get nothing but good starts now, & need it to complete SATOP & 6 months of driving w/a breathalyzer ignition interlock to get an unrestricted license back. You think I might ought to wait til AFTER SATOP before replacing the tensioners???

 

[donalds]

Replace them better yet go manual tensioner

Don't listen to the myths you read on the net
Listen to the guys that have actually been there and done that

 

[ExplorerRider]

Yes factory only!!! Try your local ford dealers and Mercury and Mazda dealers maybe surprised at the prices
The sohc was used in mountaineers and Mazda b4000
Pickups

If you don’t want to spend the $$$ for ford tensioners the only other advice
We can give you is to consider stainless steel
Manual chain guide tensioners
Yes I said manual
A pair of them can be had for around $50

You set the tension, lock them down, and forget about it
Many of us do this and we have tested it for many years now, discussed at great length on this forum

They are made for the Polaris 999cc northstar engine

Well... I had my mechanic - I'm disabled AND w/out tools - replace my old thermo housing w/an aluminum one, & I had him install 2 new Ford Motor Co. tensioners. Has run great for the last 3 or 4 months, but now I have the dreaded death rattle. I've been told I'm gonna need the chains replaced, & might as well do everything while the motor's out... But I've also been told that one of the tensioners may've just failed. Any thoughts? Should I try another tensioner first, or proceed to having the motor pulled & having all the chains done? Or should I consider a used, low mileage or remanufactured engine??? But no matter what way I go... Could you point me in the direction of how to do the manual tensioners AND a prelubing pump? Thnx!