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Hey everyone, first time poster here and looking for some answers to a few questions I have about performing a timing chain job on my B4000.
Guide on the drivers side has cracked and broken, classic. So it's a little complicated but unfortunately I am unable to pull the engine due to not having a workspace or tools to do so. Assuming that the rear guide is still intact (I plan to pull that valve cover and check prior to any work) I am planning to pull the rad etc and take off the timing cover to access the front of the engine to change the jackshaft chain and left cam chain and all accessories. My plan is to leave the balancer and rear chain in place. Planning to buy the full cloyes timing kit and specific timing tools to ensure I have the best chance of success, however I have never performed such a complicated job so we will see, a learning experience if nothing else.
So my main questions are am I overlooking anything that should make this impossible to complete? I know it's not ideal to replace only half the components but I don't really have another option and I want to at least attempt to save the truck - Otherwise it will be going for scrap/parts unfortunately. I have no problem taking my time, making notes etc over weeks to get it done, I'm actually looking forward to learning if I'm honest. I just am hoping someone can tell me that this is possible before taking it all apart to find I've overlooked something. I've looked at all of Makeulocos videos and to my eyes it should be possible but I'm hoping that the experts on this forum can inform me either way.
What year is your B4000? You may not even have the balancer. Yes, it is possible to change the front guide without removing the engine. It is easier with engine pulled though. At least you don't have the difficulty of removing the engine, so it kind of balances out.
When I did the timing chain rebuild at 250K miles, the guides were still intact but brittle. I broke the front one taking it out. On mine the rear one was easier to replace but I had the engine out. The only thing that was broken on mine was the mechanical tensioner for the jackshaft chain. It was totally broken off. So, be sure to replace that along with the chain and guide. I had to reuse the sprocket on the crank because the OEM one that was provided to me caused a misalignment on the chain. I think it was for the engines with a balancer. Mine did not have the balancer.
If you check the rear guide and find it still good, I recommend you still replace the rear tensioner. That is a pretty easy once you remove the right front wheel.
What year is your B4000? You may not even have the balancer. Yes, it is possible to change the front guide without removing the engine. It is easier with engine pulled though. At least you don't have the difficulty of removing the engine, so it kind of balances out.
When I did the timing chain rebuild at 250K miles, the guides were still intact but brittle. I broke the front one taking it out. On mine the rear one was easier to replace but I had the engine out. The only thing that was broken on mine was the mechanical tensioner for the jackshaft chain. It was totally broken off. So, be sure to replace that along with the chain and guide. I had to reuse the sprocket on the crank because the OEM one that was provided to me caused a misalignment on the chain. I think it was for the engines with a balancer. Mine did not have the balancer.
If you check the rear guide and find it still good, I recommend you still replace the rear tensioner. That is a pretty easy once you remove the right front wheel.
Thanks for all the info and giving me the confidence to attempt this - will update as I go so stay tuned!
My B4000 is a 2010 with 270kms on her and 4x4. I thought all 4x4 had the balancer but would be interested to learn if this is not the case. Any major tips or tricks from your experience or anything that differs from Makeulocos videos for the Mazda? I'll have a look at changing the rear guide as well with the wheel off but something tells me that it won't be easy haha
I have an 01 ranger with the 4.0. Got it off a friend for like $500 since he didn't want to deal with the rattle. I thought it was the death rattle. But yesterday when I finally got in there I found the jackshaft tensioner shattered but everything else ran fine. Truck itself ran fine as well before I turned it off. Thinking about just slapping a new tensioner in and closing back up so I don't have any crazy issues with timing. Chains and everything seem fine, even though clearly the oil changes weren't always done on time. Thoughts? Picture attached of yesterday right before it was too dark to see. I figured I'd play with it as a project truck honestly, it's been fun digging through the engine bay.
It seems that jackshaft tensioner is a common failure. Mine gave no clue that it had broken off. I did get a slight rattle one time after stopping at a security stop near White Sands, but it never did it again. I suspect that is when it broke off. It also ran fine with that broken jackshaft tensioner.
It seems that jackshaft tensioner is a common failure. Mine gave no clue that it had broken off. I did get a slight rattle one time after stopping at a security stop near White Sands, but it never did it again. I suspect that is when it broke off. It also ran fine with that broken jackshaft tensioner.
Hmmm so that may not be the source of my rattle but warrants the replacement. The.. upper right chain also feels a bit loose. As I understand that guide also kind of dies out. I do have the parts to slip that out and replace it as well. I probably should. I was just sort of avoiding doing all of it. But I may have to. There IS a few videos on people doing just the right chain...
Hmmm so that may not be the source of my rattle but warrants the replacement. The.. upper right chain also feels a bit loose. As I understand that guide also kind of dies out. I do have the parts to slip that out and replace it as well. I probably should. I was just sort of avoiding doing all of it. But I may have to. There IS a few videos on people doing just the right chain...
Seems like we will be taking on a similar challenge, best of luck! How did your rear guide look? I'm very interested to hear how you get on and if you have any tips to share as you go!
What year is your B4000? You may not even have the balancer. Yes, it is possible to change the front guide without removing the engine. It is easier with engine pulled though. At least you don't have the difficulty of removing the engine, so it kind of balances out.
When I did the timing chain rebuild at 250K miles, the guides were still intact but brittle. I broke the front one taking it out. On mine the rear one was easier to replace but I had the engine out. The only thing that was broken on mine was the mechanical tensioner for the jackshaft chain. It was totally broken off. So, be sure to replace that along with the chain and guide. I had to reuse the sprocket on the crank because the OEM one that was provided to me caused a misalignment on the chain. I think it was for the engines with a balancer. Mine did not have the balancer.
If you check the rear guide and find it still good, I recommend you still replace the rear tensioner. That is a pretty easy once you remove the right front wheel.
A little update for you all. So I removed the right valve cover to check out the condition of the rear guide. There seems to be a small piece of the metal and plastic top broken off (see photo) but that seems to be the extent of it. The chain is still under tension (aside from the top side which I believe is normal) so am I crazy to leave this as is and install a new tensioner? Again I know it's not ideal but it's either try this or sell the truck for parts. Even if I got another couple of thousand Kms it would better than nothing.
My plan would be to pop the lower oil pan off to see if there is any other broken parts loose in there (other than the front guide pieces) and if not just move ahead with the front cam and jackshaft chains. Interested to hear people's thoughts as always though so thanks again!
A little update for you all. So I removed the right valve cover to check out the condition of the rear guide. There seems to be a small piece of the metal and plastic top broken off (see photo) but that seems to be the extent of it. The chain is still under tension (aside from the top side which I believe is normal) so am I crazy to leave this as is and install a new tensioner? Again I know it's not ideal but it's either try this or sell the truck for parts. Even if I got another couple of thousand Kms it would better than nothing.
My plan would be to pop the lower oil pan off to see if there is any other broken parts loose in there (other than the front guide pieces) and if not just move ahead with the front cam and jackshaft chains. Interested to hear people's thoughts as always though so thanks again!
Apologies, tricky to make out but that's the broken piece in the mirror at the back side of the rear chain.
