Primary Timing Chain and Tensioner Help!

[Wordwoman]

Has anyone here changed their primary timing chain and tensioner on a 97 Explorer 4.0 SOHC? The dealer wanted about $2000 for the job, so needless to say we are tackling it ourselves.

Upon taking it apart, we discovered that the tensioner was shattered inside timing chain cover. We lucked out in that a parts man at the local Ford dealer recognized the chain guide I brought in, and found that they had my entire kit in storage. This saved me the trouble of waiting for them to order the kit. I thought I was home free.

Before putting the new parts on, we searched and searched for some sort of timing marks to set the valve timing. Finally I came here and read that you needed crankshaft and camshaft holding tools which would hold the gears in place to set the timing. The instructions with the kit call for about seven special tools, but never mentioned that the marks would be located on the tools.

I probably called about a hundred parts places and Ford dealers, and not a one carried those tools. Ford dealers were willing to order them if I could provide the tool part number. One of the parts places suggested trying to contact a Matco or SnapOn tool representative, saying this is the only way to obtain these special tools. One would think that in Chicago and the Chicago burbs with every other vehicle on the street an Explorer, these tools would be easier to buy.

So here I sit with the Explorer apart in my garage, waiting for both representatives to get back to me and POSSIBLY get me the holding tools in about five days.

If anyone else has changed the primary timing chain or tensioner, can you tell me which special tools you actually needed to buy and where you got them from? Since each tool looks to cost from $30 to $60, I would rather only buy the tools I absolutely need to set the timing. Also, if this tensioner shattered for anyone else-----did it end up causing any further damage in your engine? Right now all I discovered was an unrelated problem----the thermostat temperature sensor housing was broken on the end where the heater hose connects to it------probably from previous servicing by one of many dealers. Ford tells me that this part is $136. And my serpentine belt looks pretty frayed, so I will also replace that.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. It seems I have some time on my hands for reading before I locate these holding tools.

Thanks,
Marilyn

 

[RickOTR]

Yep, you will need the cam holding tool to time the two camshafts. No way around it. I just called around and finally found a rental place that had one and considered myself lucky. The tool is around $120 and comes with everything you need with excellent instruction so don't let it intimidate you. It's easier then it looks. Just follow the directions and take you time. Also you could have bought the parts seperately and saved yourself a wad of money then buying that POS expensive kit Ford sells.

 

[ErnieSOHC]

Help me please!

Guys, I think I have the same problem, the engine has an strange noise in the zone of the chain. It has the same power, no other sign of distress than the noise. I got to the Ford dealer and they wanted to remove the engine to service it.

How do you open the camshaft? Could it be the tensor?

thanks,

E

 

[Bronco638]

Marilyn,

If you cannot find a local Ford dealer to assist you, call Dan, in Parts, at Friendly Ford in Roselle. He knows his stuff and is an Explorer owner to boot. They may not have the tool(s) in stock either but he will be able to answer other questions and might be able to have one of the techs help you set the timing. If I knew more about the SOHC, I'd be happy to drive over and help.

Dave.

 

[Katmandu]

Isn't the Primary Chain Tensioner covered under one of the Recalls ???