2001 timing chain rattle

[jablome483]

My 2001 ranger 4.0 with 112,000 miles has what I believe to be a timing chain rattle. It's a small ticking/rattle sound at idle, which sounds like it's coming from the front of the engine where the timing chains are. Normally you can't hear it when driving, but when I hit about 2500 rpm when accelerating, it becomes pretty audible from the drivers seat until it gets drowned out by exhaust noise at around 4k. What is everyone's opinion on this?

 

[jablome483]

Nobody has any thoughts?

 

[RonD]

Remove the serpentine belt, start engine, and see if the noise is still there, could be a few things up there that will make the noise you describe.

Timing chain would be low on the list, but not impossible.

 

[jablome483]

Already did that, the noise was still there.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[bigmark303]

Does it rattle upon startup? Thats a sure sign its the timing chain guides/tensioners. Its not as common but still not uncommon to have the guides wear out before 150,000 miles. Ive always had my guides and chain replaced every 100,000 miles to be safe with anu OHC engine ive owned. Only OHV timing setups last the life of the engine.

 

[jablome483]

When it's cold it rattles loudly on start up very briefly, like a half second. Hopefully it's just the tensioner. If not, I'm not sure I have the skill to do the guides.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[bigmark303]

Yeah, a cold start 1-2 second long rattle is the surest sign its the guides/tensioners. Its all pretty much the same thing. The timing cover has to come off and the chains out to replace any of it. The guides/tensioners are the same thing. They all keep the chain in line and tight.

Some people call them guides and other call them tensioners, thats why I said both.