I bought a used ranger with over 120,000 miles on it. Should I replace the timing belt?

[Garth Libre]

I guess I'd rather err on safe than sorry. Should I just check or do it anyway.

 

[Garth Libre]

I just read it has a chain not a belt and the chain lasts the life of the vehicle? I once replaced the timing chain on a 1971 slant six and the engine ran better.

 

[19Walt93]

Timing chains are a lot better, most are double roller chains now.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I just read it has a chain not a belt and the chain lasts the life of the vehicle? I once replaced the timing chain on a 1971 slant six and the engine ran better.

I believe the 4-cyl motors (at least some of them) used a belt. The rest used a timing chain, which can stretch over time.

What motor do you have?

 

[pjtoledo]

if you have the Duratec 4 banger they indeed are a chain and they also have a self adjusting tensioner
to keep timing in order.
my 2005 had the original chain at 365,000 miles when I pulled it for a ring problem.

fyi, the oil pump also runs via chain.

more cheap advise: DO NOT REMOVE THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT. doing it will require a complete re-timing of the engine.

 

[Garth Libre]

if you have the Duratec 4 banger they indeed are a chain and they also have a self adjusting tensioner
to keep timing in order.
my 2005 had the original chain at 365,000 miles when I pulled it for a ring problem.

fyi, the oil pump also runs via chain.

more cheap advise: DO NOT REMOVE THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT. doing it will require a complete re-timing of the engine.

I do have the 4 banger Duratec

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’m relocating this to the 4-banger forum. May get a better response there…