[Augusto]

I know this is a frequent problem with explorers and rangers, I replaced the chain guides in my exploter last year and now a noise is starting again, it happens when the motor is started no matterf if cold or warm, it rattles a lot most of the times when I accelerate it dissapers, others it sounds randomly, yesterday when I pulled in the gas station, the attendand almost put diesel in the tank, he said because of the noise he tougth it was diesel powered.

I haven't found pieces of plastic in the oil like was last time, so I don't think the tensioners broke again.

I read somewhere that an oil restrictor for a passage in the head had to be installed but not sure what's it about.

I'm using 20W50, the engine has a little over 100.000 miles on the clock, it pulls great and uses no oil between 3.200 miles change intervals.

do you think that using a different oil could make the noise stop? or is there another solution?

Thanks.

Augusto.

[onebadmerc]

I run 5w30 in my 2002 Ranger that has a 4.0l V6, I would think 20w50 would be a little bit to heavy for your engine. I know Ford doesn't recommend anything heavier than 5w30 in most of their new cars and trucks. There might be something else going on with your engine.

[Augusto]

I'll try 5W30 next change, thanks.

anybody here has experienced chain guide failure? how was it fixed?

Augusto.

[KULTULZ]

The chain guides are tensioned by engine oil pressure. This sounds like the problem. You need the proper shop manual to diagnose and correct.

Your oil selection is much too heavy.

[Augusto]

my brother told me that he installed in a customer's explorer this little restrictor that came with the timing chain kit, it's a rod-like plastic device that is inserted in the oil gallery under a torx plug next to the chain tensioner, and is supposed to be a ford TSB cure for the problem, I believe it raises the pressure that reaches the tensioner, wich is driven by oil pressure alone.

I have a spare tensioner in my hands and it has a very small orifice to let the oil get in, I wonder what would happen if I enlarge this orifice to allow more oil inside the tensioner.

any comments?

Augusto.

[KULTULZ]

I would first read and study the FORD repair info to see where you went wrong (no disrespect). The TSB sounds interesting.

[lmsport]

The rod like device is probably a check valve to help the tensioner stay in contact with the chain when the engine is off.

[Augusto]

Originally Posted by lmsport

The rod like device is probably a check valve to help the tensioner stay in contact with the chain when the engine is off.

makes sense to me, I'm trying to find out more about it, if somebody knows please let me know.

Augusto.

[easyturbo]

I dont know about you but im waiting for atomic tech to say THIS IS the fix Im feeling nothing but seggestions