Timing Chain Guide Questions (Picture)

[BrentW]

Ok, Took the lower pan off yesterday and found the chunks of plastic in it that I suspected I might find due to a cold start rattle I have had for a little bit now. My question is this. Is there a simple way to tell which one is bad and what am in in for as far as trying to fix it? I have taken apart plenty of V8's and replaced plenty of engines so I am not a stranger to tools and getting dirty. But this little 4.0L is a different animal and I have not dug into one before. This is my daily driver so I cant have it down for long. Its running great and has plenty of power, just a slight rattle when started cold so I dont think the guides are totally shot, just broken somewhere. Opinions, experiences and whatever other input you might have is welcome. This is a AWD 2002 XLS 4.0L.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Hey, that looks awfully familiar! Pray its only the driver side then Pull the valve covers and have a look.

 

[executechs]

I just pulled off my valve covers and front cover on my 2003 explorer 4.6l 2 valve... It was a mess in there. (Broken guides on the left. Both the hydraulic tensioners were all the way down to the chains and the metal on them were grinded down like on a 30 degree angle. Pieces of plastic everywhere. I'm surprised they got into your oil pan.
I'm sure you need to take off your valve covers, front cover and do a timing chain replacement, guides, tensioners. I'm not sure about the 4.0L but I believe there is a screen by the oil pump to catch any other small pieces. Good Luck!
Use the correct oil filter and oil. The oil filter made by motorcraft has a valve that closes when you shut the car off. Using after market oil filters and in-correct oil viscosity can cause this problem from what I read.
If anyone knows the correct Cam Positioning tools for the 03 4.6l 2v (Vin W) Ford Explorer, please let me know.

I feel your pain.

 

[Tech By Trade]

If its a 4.0L and the passenger side is shot you need to pull the motor to replace it. Either way you need the $200 4.0L specific OTC timing tool to time the engine once you replace the cassettes. Not an easy job. I have about 20hrs into my 07 right at the moment and the piece of garbage is still giving me misfire codes.