Help with timing rattle

[user 78615]

Hello, just purchased an 02 sport trac with 86k miles. I did a lot of research before and learned about timing rattle. When I bought the truck a month ago there was no rattle, and I had plans to do the timing tensioners as preventative maintenance, as luck would have it today I just noticed a rattle. It’s quiet but it’s constantly there and increases with engine RPM. Should I even try replacing tensioners? Most people say once you have a rattle something is broken and tensioners will not solve the problem, but I’ve heard others disagree
Thanks I’m advance, was super frustrated that this happened right after I got it…

 

[user 78615]

I would like to add that the rattle is quiet (not as loud as you hear on videos, in fact you can only hear it when the hood is open and you are right next to the engine. Additionally, there was no rattle on startup, it only happens after the engine idles down and runs for a bit and the noise gets louder...

 

[Todd Z]

This could actually be a belt tensioner..... I would remove the serpentine belt and start the engine for a min to see if the noise is still there. If not, its an accessory, if it is, then its internal.

 

[user 78615]

This could actually be a belt tensioner..... I would remove the serpentine belt and start the engine for a min to see if the noise is still there. If not, its an accessory, if it is, then its internal.

Thanks for the reply. I did this and still hear the rattle. Like I said it’s strange because it’s only after the engine runs for a few minutes, it is not there on initial startup like a lot of other cases. It definitely sounds like a timing rattle, but is much much quieter than you hear on videos on YouTube. My local shop did not even notice it. Heat shields are also good.

Could it be that after warming up the tensioners are worn out and cannot deliver proper oil pressure?

 

[SwampTrac]

It's odd that the noise occurs only after the engine runs. Usually timing noise is worse at starting, before oil pressure can build up. This guy on YouTube might be helpful. I think he has some videos on how to fix the timing issues without any special tools.

 

[Brian Stutzman]

I am curious what route you ended up going with. Did you have the timing chain tensioners replaced? What was the cost and did you use a dealership or local garage. Thinking about having my done.

 

[stunner67]

I am curious what route you ended up going with. Did you have the timing chain tensioners replaced? What was the cost and did you use a dealership or local garage. Thinking about having my done.

If you are hearing the noise only at higher rpms and not at start up, you may have a bad rod bearing or 2. The only way to tell is to pull the motor and check everything. Everyone gets hyper-focused on the timing set when they hear a noise. It's not always the case. Mine had 2 bad bearings. I had another 4.0 sitting in a car, so I pulled them out from there. I did all the proper gauging after installation to make sure I didn't have play or binding. My timing set was in good shape after 127000 miles, but I replaced it all anyways since I had it all apart. Not sure what shops or stealerships should charge. It will all depend on their hourly rate. It's gonna be close to $5000 all said and done. Motor has to come out even just for the timing set.
I'm in Phoenix. If you were in this area, I'd say bring it to my shop. My rates are around half of what other shops charge.

 

[Brian Stutzman]

No noise at all. I am just approaching 200K, I am thinking about taking it in and having it done. or just let it run it's course and replace with a jasper engine and transmission when the time comes. I live in Illinois and just trying to get a recent cost someone has incurred.

 

[user 78615]

If you are hearing the noise only at higher rpms and not at start up, you may have a bad rod bearing or 2. The only way to tell is to pull the motor and check everything. Everyone gets hyper-focused on the timing set when they hear a noise. It's not always the case. Mine had 2 bad bearings. I had another 4.0 sitting in a car, so I pulled them out from there. I did all the proper gauging after installation to make sure I didn't have play or binding. My timing set was in good shape after 127000 miles, but I replaced it all anyways since I had it all apart. Not sure what shops or stealerships should charge. It will all depend on their hourly rate. It's gonna be close to $5000 all said and done. Motor has to come out even just for the timing set.
I'm in Phoenix. If you were in this area, I'd say bring it to my shop. My rates are around half of what other shops charge.

Dont think its that, sound is coming from up top and is not that noticeable. Could just be overthinking it. Its quiet and not loud like you hear on videos online of people with broken guides. Considering replacing the tensioners to start

 

[user 78615]

I am curious what route you ended up going with. Did you have the timing chain tensioners replaced? What was the cost and did you use a dealership or local garage. Thinking about having my done.

Its been sitting... took it to a shop to look at and while they didn't pick up on the noise, they noticed that there were multiple issues and the other shop that just inspected it should not have passed it. Now I am looking at thousands in repairs of miscellaneous issues. Needless to say I had a representative from penndot out who who agreed the previous shop wrongly inspected it and is going to go after this shop. Hoping I will get some restitution from it...

 

[stunner67]

Dont think its that, sound is coming from up top and is not that noticeable. Could just be overthinking it. Its quiet and not loud like you hear on videos online of people with broken guides. Considering replacing the tensioners to start

Tensioner replacement for the passenger side requires the motor to be removed. There is just no way around it with it being on the back of the motor. If you have an engine hoist, engine stand and the timing tools for the 4.0 it's not a bad job to do. It's a more complicated engine. Fordmacktechulo has a good video series on it. He definitely has some great guidance. I would do videos, but I get to focused on working.