Chunks of chain tensioner

[PanamaExpat]

The more I disassemble the worse the story gets. We pulled the oil pan a few minutes ago and inside it were chunks of something, some kind of small rod, and a spring. My first conclusion was timing chain tensioner. Well... after looking at the RockAuto catalog I see I was correct. Wonder what else I am going to find is shot to hell in this thing.

 

[Andy D]

Wow ! Are you going to pull a rod cap to check the bearings?

 

[PanamaExpat]

Actually I should have asked if this is a common failure? With everything I have found messed up I am surprised it even ran. That upper valve train system seems to have been an engineering joke. You can tell these vehicles were designed to be replaced just about the time the loan payments finished up.

Now that you have mentioned it maybe I will go dig out the micrometer.

 

[adsm08]

On a pushrod version? I have never heard of timing guide failure on one of those. Not sure what is so funny about the upper valve train either, looks like a pretty standard pushrod/rocker system to me.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Thanks for answering adsm. I am wondering just how long that tensioner might have been broken. It caught me quite off guard as I haven't read any posts about them failing either. I would post a pic but since we have been painting the house the charger for the camera got stashed someplace. I can't believe that I didn't hear the chain slapping around.

On the valve train I may just be too old school. For me push rods should be hollow and the oil should reach the rockers going up through them. That is why I call these an engineering joke that was pulled on the purchaser of the vehicle in the form of planned obsolescence.

I am not complaining mind you just making an observation based on the design. Also I probably am too anal when it comes to mechanics. I do like things to be right and reliable. I hate walking back from a broken vehicle on trip into the woods.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

On the valve train I may just be too old school. For me push rods should be hollow and the oil should reach the rockers going up through them. That is why I call these an engineering joke that was pulled on the purchaser of the vehicle in the form of planned obsolescence.

Some of the most dead reliable engines use solid pushrods, a ton of old tractors do.

Many from the 40's-60's are still going strong... the engineers would be stunned how well they held up if they were still alive.

 

[rangerbum]

SPAM ˆˆˆ what the hell, second spam post I've seen in tonight.