Timing chain tensioner replacement on an 04 Explorer takes all of 30 minutes

[turborich]

I read posts about how you have to jack up the vehicle, remove the wheel/tire and use a two foot extension that barely fits, etc.

On my 04 Explorer it literately took all of 30 minutes to replace both front and rear tensioners. I drained about 1 gallon of the coolant, 3 bolts to move the thermostat housing out of the way, removed old tensioner with 1/2" drive ratchet and 27mm socket and replaced with new. Bolted thermostat back into place and refilled coolant. As for the rear, there was plenty of room to get it from top with a 1/2" ratchet, small extension and 27mm socket. Both seriously took all of 30 minutes.

Why are other people jacking up, pulling the wheel off, removing inner fender, etc when there is so much room up top? Not sure about the other years, but the 04 was a piece of cake.

 

[Hugh Janus]

Troll.

 

[imp]

@TechGuru
I do not understand something here, why you disagree. My Ford Shop Manual under "In-Vehicle Repair", devotes 2 work steps to R&R both tensioners. We ARE talking about the same thing, right? Not guides, casettes, chains, just the hydraulic tensioners. What am I missing? I've obviously never had one out of the engine, so would like to know. Thanks! imp

 

[extra-medium]

When I replaced my drivers side tensioner I just squeezed my upper radiator hose a few times and pulled the coolant temp sensor out and was able to get in there with a socket. Passenger side I just reached in from the top. I mean you can see it plain as day right above the exhaust manifold.

 

[turborich]

Well I'm glad that some of you agree with me. I have been reading about all of these steps over the years and just didn't understand why some were making it out to be so difficult. Even some of the Youtube videos, man these people just really make things hard for themselves.

 

[XploX]

Everyone is a tech.
The timing chain tensioners are inside the timing chain cover, which needs to be removed. That also involves the removal of the dampener and new seals just as an example. There is much more to it, but the bottom line is...the cover has to be removed.

You changed the accessory drive belt tensioners. There is a huge difference.
External vs. internal.

Thanks for the laugh though.

 

[jimmyznutz]

Everyone is a tech.
The timing chain tensioners are inside the timing chain cover, which needs to be removed. That also involves the removal of the dampener and new seals just as an example. There is much more to it, but the bottom line is...the cover has to be removed.

You changed the accessory drive belt tensioners. There is a huge difference.
External vs. internal.

Thanks for the laugh though.

It's the timing chain guides that are inside the timing cover. The guide tensioners are exactly where OP stated, but thanks for playing.

 

[XploX]

The guides are inside the cover on a pivot, with the tensioner below the guide on PS and above on DS on the opposite end of the pivot.

Back to your armchair QB position. Have a nice day.

 

[jimmyznutz]

So every how to listed on this site as well as all the well versed techs are wrong about where the tensioners are and you are the only one that knows where they are located. Ok...lol. I'm sure others will chime in and correct you so I'll just sit here and watch.

Here's just one of the many posts regarding the tensioners. This one is for the rear. Write up done by one of our moderators.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...in-tensioner-replacement.271605/#post-2404947

 

[XploX]

Well, he didn't specify the V6 and the write up you linked to is for the V6. So, if he has the V6, maybe it's possible. I don't have the V6, so can't say for those.
On the V8, the cover has to come off.

 

[swshawaii]

2004 4.0 liter. 111,000 miles
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...miles-on-your-3nd-gen-ex.443376/#post-3522818

Attn: OP and others that haven't yet.
Add Complete Vehicle Specs To Your Profile

 

[imp]

Awful lot of feeling displayed, due to a tiny oversight of misinformation! imp

EDIT: FWIW, 4.0L has a hydraulically-operated chain tensioner, 4.6L has a spring-loaded tensioner.

 

[turborich]

Everyone is a tech.
The timing chain tensioners are inside the timing chain cover, which needs to be removed. That also involves the removal of the dampener and new seals just as an example. There is much more to it, but the bottom line is...the cover has to be removed.

You changed the accessory drive belt tensioners. There is a huge difference.
External vs. internal.

Thanks for the laugh though.

Yes, they are external and they are in fact called timing chain tensioners per Ford.

 

[Hugh Janus]

Yes, they are external and they are in fact called timing chain tensioners per Ford.

BS.

 

[plasticseng]

Yes, they are external and they are in fact called timing chain tensioners per Ford.

Correct. I think nomenclature is causing a lot of confusion and hurt feelings in this thread.

 

[imp]

BS.

@Hugh Janus

Why do you say that? imp