Timing Chain Tensioners

[03Explo20]

I installed both new tensioners on my 03 XLT and things seemed to have quieted down somewhat. One thing I noticed yesterday that after driving on the highway at speed for the first time since the change-out, once I stopped at a red light once exiting, the rattling noise came back with a vengenance!!! I put the truck in neutral and revved the engine and the noise went away. It was like the tensioner may have lost oil pressure??!!! I haven't heard it since but did decide to reorder the trensioners and buy Motorcraft tensioners instead of the cheaper versions.

Anyone have any thoughts on all this?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

the cheaper ones have been known to go bad. how old was the oil?

 

[LMHmedchem]

Also, sludge in some locations of the oil system can impede the flow of oil into the tensioners. When you changed out the tensioners, did you check to make sure that the port in the back where the oil enters the tensioners was clear? A partial blockage may be worse at low RPM which fits what you describe. I'm not sure that is the cause of the noise but if you are going to change them again I think that is something to check.

LMHmedchem