to replace the timing chain or not

[black_demon69]

ok i have to do the water pump and timing cover leaks oil so i figured it might be a good idea to replace chain as well (needed or not). so do you think i should replace the timing chain or not? truck has about 165000 on it 4.0l ohv 94 ranger

 

[RonD]

My vote is....Not.

4.0l OHV never had timing chain issues, it has lasted 165k so will last another 165k, at least
New chain could be faulty, never know

 

[Angie]

^^+1

4L has a great chain tightening system on them.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Check both it and the tensioner while you are there and go from there.

It may not have a problem, it may not ever have a problem... you will never be closer to changing it until you have to.

 

[black_demon69]

timing set is only about $25 w/ten. and guides on RA so i might just do it since i am there.

 

[Angie]

that price includes the sprockets?

 

[black_demon69]

that price includes the sprockets?

yep

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Stay with name brand.

It very well could be that 20yo Ford parts are better than cheapie overseas parts.

 

[97RangerXLT]

^^^this.

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[AllanD]

In several family vehicles I have seen 4.0's go well past 300k miles and have never replaced a 2.9 or 4.0 timing chain and the 4.0 OHV has a superior tensioner to that on the 2.9.

The 4.0OHC is another story all together, which is why I'm less than thrilled with the idea of owning one.... And when I bought a gen2 Explorer I bought one with a 5.0...

 

[black_demon69]

Ended up buying timing chain but I will decide if I am going toreplace it wwhen I do timing cover gasket and water pump

 

[black_demon69]

Also I have noticed thatin recent years even name brand parts are made in China so are a lot of oe parts

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Also I have noticed thatin recent years even name brand parts are made in China so are a lot of oe parts

This is true.

The Chinese are not stupid, they can make parts to meet Ford or anyone else's spec. Ford will generally require them to be a better part than the weird no-name places will. I didn't look up your truck to see which one were referring to for $20, it was just my $.02 in a general warning.

I have gotten a fair amount of stuff from Rockauto, I have seen some of the weird off the wall names for some of the brands with the way too cheap pricing... if its too good to be true it probably is.

 

[trader007]

My vote is....Not.

4.0l OHV never had timing chain issues, it has lasted 165k so will last another 165k, at least
New chain could be faulty, never know

my 99 4.0 ohv has 285k miles on it, timing chain has never been an issue

 

[black_demon69]

ok went ahead and replaced timing chain it had about 3/8" chain deflection which is 1/4" more then aloud according to spec. it did smooth out and no longer bucks but idle is still a little rough.. there are no vacuum leaks i have smoke tested it, plugs and wires are new and firing order is right, fuel pressure is 35 psi 45psi without fuel pressure regulator. O2 sensors are new.

only thing i can think of is fuel injectors

what do you think?