My 04 started making a "tick" last winter and never gone away. It is more noticeable on start up and gets less noticeable after warm up, but is still there. Also, I have noticed less power and a slight drop in MPG.

I ran 1/4 bottle of sea foam for about 200 miles and changed the oil, in hopes it was a gummed up injector, but no luck


I have read some thing on the timing chains, guides can be an issue, does this sound like my problem? Is there FIX or would I be putting the same inferior parts back in?

O, tick started at 140k

 

The infamous timing chain issue is usually described as "marbles in a can"

Does that sound like it?

I've heard of other engine ticks usually associated with lifters(I think).

 

Yeah, That about sums it up

just watched these 2 Vids and I think this is my problem

 

Hopefully you can do it yourself. Friend of mine had his done. $1100 repair bill. That was even doing it at a friends shop

 

Even if it is twice as hard as the vids show, it will be a 3 hour project at most.

Ordered the chain tensioners from ford last night.

 

I guess I was under the impression it was resolved in 2003. The timing chain was only an issue in 2001-2002 and some 2003s. I know my 03 did rattle some from time to time but it wasnt anything to be concerned about.

Brad Im sure you can replace it in 3hrs or less. :)

 

interesting. I always was under the impression that it was the guides that caused the noise.

how much were they? I might replace mine as well since mine are loud for a second or so on cold starts

 

I've heard of the timing chain issue happening in an 07. But it seems the most prominent issue was 01-02.5

 

well, for what its worth, my 03 makes a similar noise to that explorer on cold starts, but not nearly as bad or loud.

I dont remember my 02 being that bad either, but it did make a ton on noise between 2.5-3k rpm's.


anyone know that the motorcraft part numbers are for these chain tensioners ?

 

I ordered them from my ford dealer late last night, so they should be here tomorrow.

IIRC he said they were under 90 for the pair

 

Yea, if you can do it yourself, you will save a ton.

I'm glad that my 01 hasn't had this issue yet. 147K miles and no tick or rattle. Hopefully that's a sign this motor will last me. Well, long enough I guess until I either supercharge or V8 swap

 

Timing chain rattle can best be heard in second gear around 2,500 rpm right before the 2-3 up-shift. It sounds similar to spark knock.

 

I may be able to get them tomorrow. I looked in the workshop manual and only found the torque specs at 32 lb-ft for both (44nm)


edit i got them.

6K254A: $92.85
6K254B: $73.30

 

thanks man.

looks like the best i can find is 125 shipped for the pair

 

Well I just put them in today. 3 hour job my A S S.
I started at 3, finished, changed my oil, greased the front end, rotated the tires, adjusted the rear brakes and washed the truck. it in now 5:50.

SIMPLE job. The hardest part is getting to the drivers side top side one.

I still have some noise under the drivers valve cover. I am going to have to pull it and see If I see something out of the ordinary

Part numbers
7U3-6K254-B Drivers

7U3Z-6K254-A Passenger

 

Pulled valve cover the other day.
Started engine and listened with pry bar.
TICK was coming from front cam bearing.

I figured the lash tensioner was not "pumping" up, so I ordered 6 new ones.

Today while changing them, Spinning engine overI noticed my problem .#1 cam lobe was failing



I orded a cam and 6 new rockers.

My problem is now, how do I go about timing it? Do I HAVE to pull the front cover?

Or can I do it with just the valve cover off?

 

Wanted to update the thread.

When restoring the truck, I had the engine out

Before I bought it( 70k) someone put a junk yard engine it.
So i am not sure what year the engine actually is

 

Were you able to time it without pulling the front cover?

 

yes. All I had off was the valve covers to time it