Hydraulic Timing Chain Tensioner Install

[Red11]

First post on the forum. I have 2011 ranger with the 4.0 SOHC with 145k miles. No timing chain rattle I can hear. I will be replacing a leaking thermostat housing soon. Thought it would be a good time to replace the hydraulic tensioners since I’ll have the throttle body off and the t-stat house out. I have Ford replacement tensioners purchased. I’m wondering if I will cause any problems if the engine is not at TDC. Also worry a bit about oil leaks since a few posts suggest it can be hard to get a good seal on the new tensioner. Last concern is whether a new tensioner will put too much pressure on the guides and precipitate a new problem.

Wondering if I should just leave the tensioners alone since it is running well.

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Recommended is tensioners every 100k on those. I haven’t really had a problem with sealing, but I think I put a little of black RTV on the threads just because. I will say that priming them by hand can get quite messy and they can be hard to install once primed. I believe the alternate procedure is to hold the throttle pedal at full throttle and crank because that’s supposed to kick it into the “clear flooded engine” mode, but results may vary. I’ve tried that and had the vehicle start anyway (it’s supposed to let you crank it over without firing).