Timing chain rattle

[Adam Hartman]

How long does a 4.0 last once the timing chain starts to rattle ?

 

[Yardsale]

That's a pretty vague question.



Can you share information like, when do you hear this noise, mileage, has the maintenance been kept-up?



They can last a long time if the hydraulic timing chain tensioners are replaced (assuming that is the problem).

 

[Heriberto Chavez 2]

 

[Heriberto Chavez 2]

My Trac has 180000 miles on it and has been rattlng for as long as i can remember.

 

[Jeffksf B]

From all the research I did I came to the conclusion just run it till it gives out. I have 155,000 miles on my rattling engine.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Nice that Ford has stood behind the quality of their vehicles and taken care of this.. (NOT!) :angry:

 

[Dean Hedin]

Have you tried changing the timing chain tensioners?



Not that hard to do...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4N5E_RfYpE

 

[John G]

Driving in 2nd gear at about 2400 RPM causes the rattle for me, so I just avoid that. If I'm driving about 30 mph I act like there's an egg between my foot and the gas pedal, and it won't happen. Sometimes that means slowing down when climbing a hill.



I'm hoping that by avoiding the rattle, I will avoid anything traumatic happening to the chain.

 

[Vic Sorlie]

+1 on changing tensioners. Haven't done this job myself (previous Tracs with 4.0L V6 are gone) but it seems reasonable for cost and job difficulty.

 

[Yardsale]

Driving in 2nd gear at about 2400 RPM ...

This is not a symptom of spring-hydraulic timing chain tensioner.