Timing chain guide debris in oil pan - no rattle

[Alligator Wrangler]

Howdy TRS, I have another question. I have a 2005 4.0 V6 SOHC Ranger with 167K on it. I pulled the lower oil pan and found a couple small pieces of broken orange plastic - almost certainly from the infamous timing chain guide. Other than running a little lean, the engine runs well and there's no start-up rattle.

My question is: Should I despair? Is the engine doomed? I just replaced both hydraulic timing chain tensioners a few weeks ago. I mostly do my own work on the truck, but removing the engine and replacing the guides/chains is beyond what my skill and time allows. Quotes for the job in my area are $4000.

Trying to decide whether to admit defeat and get rid of the truck. I've put countless hours and thousands of dollars into this truck already, and have other projects planned, but it was poorly maintained by the previous owner which has led to much frustration.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Well.

You have..... three options as I see it.

1) pretend you see nothing and run it till she blows.

2) find a donor engine for when it does go

3) punt

 

[RonD]

Have you owned the 2005 Ranger since it was new, so you know there was no past timing chain/guide replacements?

If a guide breaks it WILL rattle, so no rattle = no broken guide

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Have you owned the 2005 Ranger since it was new, so you know there was no past timing chain/guide replacements?

If a guide breaks it WILL rattle, so no rattle = no broken guide

To echo Ron, I had a 2001 parts truck with a broken guide.

Sounded like shaking a coffee can with nuts and bolts. LOUDLY.

Run er. My 2 cents.

 

[Alligator Wrangler]

Have you owned the 2005 Ranger since it was new, so you know there was no past timing chain/guide replacements?

If a guide breaks it WILL rattle, so no rattle = no broken guide

No, I bought it last October with 166k miles with no known service history (took a chance), and it's been nothing but trouble since. I suppose someone could have already worked on the timing chain - I did also find a piece of a paper towel in the oil pan (smh)

 

[Josh B]

Tell us about that alligator

 

[rubydist]

If there is no engine rattle at startup, just replace the 2 hydraulic tensioners and carry on with life. The guides can randomly break at any startup, but they were fairly stout by the year that your truck is, so it is way less likely than it was on the 2001 and earlier.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

and it's been nothing but trouble since.

Welcome to the Ferd family of vehicles.

 

[DILLARD000]

Assuming you can get any other bugs worked out, I'd keep & maintain the truck. Just do a GasPedalToFloor 5-10sec crank before starting when it has sat for a day or more. Be sure to get all other fluids & filters changed.

 

[sgtsandman]

It is possible the timing chain guide work was already done and the pieces are left over from a poor clean up job.

I can’t remember if there is an easy enough way to inspect the guides for condition or not. If there is an easy way, you can see what condition they are in and decide from there.

 

[Roert42]

It is possible the timing chain guide work was already done and the pieces are left over from a poor clean up job.

I can’t remember if there is an easy enough way to inspect the guides for condition or not. If there is an easy way, you can see what condition they are in and decide from there.

This is my thoughts as well. Almost seems like someone did half a job replacing the guides when they blew up at some point.

I'm an overly cautious person in some regards, if you have the time and space, get a JY engine and rebuild it, then if there is an issue you can pay someone to swap them out at their shop. Maybe you'll never need it, but if you do, you will not be any anyone's mercy when the time comes.

 

[Alligator Wrangler]

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the input! I'll keep her running.