How to replace timing chain tensioners 4.0 EASY 

bout to do the same thing monday, much better video then the one removing the wheel and thermostat housing, this dude is legend

You are as baked as I am.

Thank you for making this video!!! I have a 2005 explorer with the same problem. I was about to sell it. Fixed in less than an hour. Engine sounds amazing now!! It took about 15 minutes of running the engine for the noise to go away. I guess it takes time for the oil to circulate in the tensioner.

I watched your video on "Fixing an exhaust manifold leak cheap/$14." I really like how you explained everything simple, also l liked your version of "Mama Rock Me."

One other thing when you start the engines try to place the gas pedal to the floor it shuts off the injectors in most cases and wont start the engine. During this one minute minute and a half engine turn over time the tentioners are filling with oil pressure before the vehicle starts. You will notice that once this happens and start the engine you will not hear the clatter of dry oil during actual engine running. Also fills the oil filter so that is not dry either.

Thank's I'm needing to buy a vehicle soon and one of the one's I'm looking at is an 06 explorer watching this video just made fixing that issue easy once I'm sure that this is the issue.

Hi John, well done, thanks for taking the time to put this video up, yup disconnect the battery. Blue Mule

You're good! Thank you You really helped me and the way you explain really understandable thanks again wish you were my teacher

Thanks so much. 🙏You really just helped me out! Cool accent 👍 North Carolina? Florida here 🌞

Thanks!!! Great vid!!! I am going to try this this afternoon... You might just have helped me save this engine.... or at least delayed me pulling this engine. Mike in LA, Calif, USA :-)

What did the trucksound like before you changed them

2001 4.0 on my explorer sport. During a cold start the chains make noise for 1 or 2 seconds max and then are completely quiet after that both when idling and driving at any RPM. Even if the engine is turned off after completely warming up and then turned back on 1 or 2 hours later the chains won’t rattle when started back up… I replaced both tensioners using OEM ford parts and this made no difference in getting rid of the 2 seconds of cold startup rattle that was present before replacing both tensioners and the reason I replaced them in the first place. When I removed the old tensioners they both seemed to still have good resistance when trying to compress them compared to the new ones which indicates the old ones were “probably” still ok. Again, after those brief 2 seconds of rattle when started up when the engines is completely cold (ie been sitting for more than a few hours) it’s quiet and it never rattles or makes noise any other time. One other thing to note is that if I do the flooded crank start method before starting it when cold, it will NOT make the 1 or 2 second rattle. (I will hold the gas pedal to the floor and turn and hold the key to crank the engine but not turn it over until after about 10 seconds and when I see the oil pressure gauge move to the middle, I let go of the gas pedal and start it) If I cold start it using this method it will NOT make the 1 or 2 seconds of startup rattle. Is this my guides that are broken or is this normal to have a second or two of rattle when the engine is completely cold to build oil pressure and have it get to the tensioners so they tighten up to hold the chain? I’ve had this vehicle for a little over a month now and the symptom has stayed exactly same even after replacing the tensioners and changing the oil using high mileage oil and Motorcraft filter. I just want to know if this is normal or if it’s not and I should get rid of the vehicle if a larger problem is imminent.

Its nice that you don't have to deal with the air conditioning / from ford new the original left ( passenger side ) tensioner only has about a quarter of an inch of wiggle room ( travel )to the new cassette cartridge??? / I would suggest replacing the driver side tensioner with a new OEM from ford and then use the old one from the driver side to install on the passenger side as it has .200 more throw. and yes it does make a difference.

Good job bro! Perfect video! #coffee #lol

Woooohoooo i got the 27 mm deep socket and it didnt fit, and u somehow did it, now Making a 3rd trip to the hardware store

Awsome video smooth!!! Easy detail thanks.hittibg the job asap..thankz

You I believe got pretty fortunately lucky. Every tentioner that I have done has slack in the chain where they can jump teeth. Once the tentioner is out. If you happen to know what stroke the engine is at, might make it fool proof. It would let the valves place pressure on the opposing side of the tentioner. Once that happens the tight side of the chain will hold the chain in actual non jump position. This could actually jump time and ruin valves.

I know the video is old but I seen you responded to somebody just 3 weeks ago. Do you have to put the engine to top dead center before removing the old tensioners? Thanks for any information

Thanks for the video! Quick question: What sound are you looking for to determine if it’s the cassette vs the tensioner? My wife’s truck suddenly started rattling at startup and over 2k rpm. Want to cross the easy stuff before pulling the engine. Thanks again

I’m about to replace the left one and realized oh shot that’s the cause of my leak. Lovely

I have a 1999 Ford explorer I've been tell that I need to replace my is that what you're doing on this video replacing the timing chain I heard you call it something like replacing the tension what's the difference?

Very helpful bro not gonna lie thank you

Thanks Brother for this video 💯👍

Great lesson but just wondering if that oil pressure hole in the tensioner has to be in line with the oil pressure hole in the block how did you line it up ?

I replaced both on my 2005 ford and it’s still rattling. Do I need to install a middle tensioner or is my chain guides broke pls help!!!!

Do i need to change both tensioners changing just one will mess it up my truck?

You don’t have to make sure timing is good? Would doing this repair mess timing up?

I got a mustang v6 with the same engine. I got 100k miles, do you think I should change my tensioner?

Would it be the same for 04 sport Trac ? I have a slight rattle at start up so I bought the duralast tensioners I put the rear one in (primed it first ) torqued at 32fp and the noise got way worse so I put the old one back in and it went back to a slight rattle .. think I should get a different brand tensioner? or should I put them in dry? and let them prime themselves.

Timing chain guide that's the rattle

Thank you. What size is the key?

Great video

Hey Harmony Grove, just got a Sport Trac with 245k on it from my good friend. I want to change these as preventative maintenance so I don't have to do timing chains and guides too soon, would this make sense to do as a preventative step? Thanks for taking the time to read this if you do.

Great video John. I have 262500 on my 03. It makes that rattle that yours did right at the end of the video but only on a cold start after it sits overnight. My question is, does changing the tensioners eliminate that completely, even at the cold start? Thanks ahead of time, Steve.

Johnny Vannz

I don't think you're a Chevy man. I called myself a Pittsburgh Pirate fan for life, because my family is from Pittsburgh PA. Growing up I fallowed the Pirates and had been to many games, but not the last 30 years. I went to a double header a few years ago when the Pirates played the Rangers. It was eye opening when I realized that I knew the entire Ranger lineup, but I didn't know a single Pirate. My point is your a Ford man...lol

Hi do I have to replaced the volume reduction plug next to it? On the top right tentioner

So im looking at buying a sport trec that needs a timing chain think i should buy it? I just need a truck to run me around

It will make the rear chain assembly last longer

I replaced mine but there was no tension getting it to thread in. I have more rattle than I did before. What did I do wrong?

Very good video, John! One question: normally how often (in miles) do we need to replace the tensioner please? I know you mentioned your car’s mileage but I don’t know if you have done it before on the same car. Thanks!

You should also prime the tensioners with oil, before installing them. Just fill a can with oil, put the tensioner in it and pump, until it gets real stiff.

Mine lower one leaks after installation.. it was perfect the other day no rattle the next morning all the oil was on the ground .. hurts my heart

What problems would these cause if there not working as they should? I have codes p0172 bank 1 too rich and p0174 bank 2 too lean. They came not long after i realised there was a crack in the rear side of the valve cover in bank 1, got that replaced but still getting codes and a rough idle and slight loss of power when driving. I have replaced a few things already - fuel filter, 02 sensor, spark plugs and wires but no luck. Could it be tensioner that's causing it and also the crack in the rear of the valve cover? Any advice appreciated as been like this last 2 years 😔🙏🏾 Thanks 😊

I'm about to do this job. I notice you made a point of warming the car up to make it easier to break loose the threads. But I was planning to do it with the motor stone cold, so that metal expansion doesn't make them tight... ❓

I just changed both and now my truck will not start. Oil was full and I torqued both tensioners. Help..

Does the rattling youre taking about usually resonate into the valve cover? I had a loud ticking in my 4.0 and when I placed my hand on the valve cover I could veel vibration in the valve cover. Mechanic suggested these tensioners. I may try to do the job on my own but don't know if this is really the problem

Hey i screwed it up. i tried to do that and unfortunately i cross-threated the thread on the passenger side. I could put the tensioner in with a slight angle (down), do you think that would work? Or do you have an other idea?

Does yours rattle at idling? I have an 02 exp and it will rattle when I'm idling and when I place it in park it will stop

aye man could you do it for me id mess up probably

I really don't see any difference between these two tensinoers other than the outside appearance if you have the room to install on the firewall side do it.

I'm about to do this to my 99 Explorer. I'm gonna have to remove my wheel because I can't even see the tensioner from the top...

So a mechanic found plastic pieces in the rear trans oil pan... he said I needed to replace the timing chain tensioner... I don’t see any plastic on yours... it looks like metal... it’s in 02 Ford Explorer 4.0 I believe...

Also, I wish you had a recording of the noise BEFORE the fix. Don’t you?

go to e store n get yrself yr beer hahahah

Great f****** video thank you

You're talking reliability like mine hasn't 100% resorted to cannibalism.... I don't think even the Vin is OEM anymore, and the gas currently in the tank came from a 1998 explorer.... I think mine used to be '00 and for the most part, the parts fit right so far, but I also got interceptor hinges on one door, which doesn't quite fit right, and a back gate that definitely came from another vehicle all together.. I wonder what year it once was

One more... These guys are wanting to charge me $2,000 up to 3,000 does that sound about right or are they trying to over charge me?

Whoever owned mine before broke off a screw on the thermostat housing!!!

Tighten it to hell.now that is F%!ing tight

I totally crossed the fuck out of my threads , any suggestions

John Man....in your video you never mention or show any video that shows you "priming" the Tensioner Bolts....If a person was doing DIY step by step from your 20 years of expertise video....and didn't prime the bolts because they didn't see or hear you do it...they would screwed...WTH Dude.?

Thihten it to hell???? How bout tight n then a 1/4 turn. That’s usually pretty close to most torque specs for most things. To hell is what will happen if you tighten to hell. And hasn’t he heard of a parts washer? Ffs

I'll detail your engine for 75.00$ and not a penny less.

Go to the ground

Forgot the most important part prime the tensioners. Some mechanic, he never posted startup. Because he had air in tensioner made no difference. Smoke another bud and rock on with vids!

Do not do what this guy did lol , go watch other youtube videos .

I know you made this a while ago but shouldn't you per fill tensioner before you installed it ❓