Timing Chain Replacement or motor replacement

[explorerhoror]

02 explorer 4.0 4x4
My friends explorer has gotten slop in the timing chain tentionera @ 140k miles. He did not change it just continued to drive it. It soon slapped a hole in his valve cover. Now he beleives it is unfixable and offered it to me at a extremely low price. Question-if I was to purchase this truck is it a simple fix or is the motor shot? It Still runs but sprays oil out of hole in valve cover.

 

[2000StreetRod]

which cassette?

It is unlikely that replacing the valve cover and hydraulic/spring tensioner will fix the problem. That much slack indicates a broken guide assembly. To replace the left (front) cassette the front timing cover must be removed. To replace the right (rear) cassette the engine or transmission must be removed. Having the timing tool kit (OTC-6488) simplifies the timing process and decreases the risk of incorrect timing.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

Tony