timing belt

KILLER EX

New Member

May 30, 2006

50

0

0

Gloucester,Mass

Jun 4, 2006

#1

• Jun 4, 2006

• #1

do i have one? when should i replace it if so?if it breaks will my valves and pistons hit?

 

Nater

New Member

Sep 5, 2003

239

0

0

Maplewood, MN

Jun 4, 2006

#2

• Jun 4, 2006

• #2

No belt, no need to worry. Cams are chain driven.

 

4.6_02_Black_GT

Founding Member

Jul 26, 2002

622

1

0

Charlotte NC

Jun 4, 2006

#3

• Jun 4, 2006

• #3

Killer EX,

The 4.6 does have timing chains...on the GT motor the crank drives both chains for each bank of cylinders. The chains and sprockets are metal ....but the problem is that there is a set of followers that presses in from the outside of the chains to keep tension on the chains so they dont skip over the sprockets.

So yes you will need to have routine maintance done and have the front cover of the engine pulled off and have the chain followers(tensioners) replaced. Since you have to pay to have the cover pulled anyway..have the small tensioners replaced and the plastic guides...which will be worn out... while your are in there.. go ahead replace the chains two.

If the tensioners fail and the spockets skip one tooth..you might get lucky and can stop and turn off the engine before any damage is done. Anymore than a two teeth and you will have piston to valve contact and you will be left with bent valves.

Routine maintaince..someone check the manual.. I belive the tensioners are recommended to be replaced at 65K I think.

 

4.6_02_Black_GT

Founding Member

Jul 26, 2002

622

1

0

Charlotte NC

Jun 4, 2006

#4

• Jun 4, 2006

• #4

Killer EX

Heres pics of the parts to replace Killer the tensioners have a spring that wears out and causes you chains to go slack...and of course the plastic guides just wear out from chain rubbing on them. Dont forget to do the chains too.

 

KILLER EX

New Member

May 30, 2006

50

0

0

Gloucester,Mass

Jun 4, 2006

#5

• Jun 4, 2006

• #5

thanks a bunch! i have 62000 miles so it is something to think about.

 

DropTopPony

Noob Slayer

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2002

2,570

3

48

south jersey

Jun 4, 2006

#6

• Jun 4, 2006

• #6

KILLER EX said:

thanks a bunch! i have 62000 miles so it is something to think about.

Click to expand...

thats not alot of miles on these engines! I think your gonna be ok for a few more years

 

Mike97gt

it doe snot

Founding Member

Jan 26, 1999

10,633

7

89

the people's republic of massachusetts

Jun 4, 2006

#7

• Jun 4, 2006

• #7

your chains and guides should be fine at low miles like that.. get 150- 200k on it then you might need to replace that stuff

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,368

18,115

224

Massachusetts

Jun 4, 2006

#8

• Jun 4, 2006

• #8

Wow does anyone even actually do that?

I know quite a few people with over 100K miles that have never touched the chains or followers.

 

mity2

I like Pro3 and all I got was this crappy CT.

Jul 24, 2003

2,872

3

48

StateCollege PA

Jun 4, 2006

#9

• Jun 4, 2006

• #9

Timing belt is like Japanese and Europian car thing. Not many american car have them...

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,368

18,115

224

Massachusetts

Jun 4, 2006

#10

• Jun 4, 2006

• #10

My old 4-banger Mustang did...and it jumped a tooth on me


Most V8's have chains, V6's as well...many 4-bangers use belts

 

P

Pennywise2

Banned

May 16, 2006

1,379

1

0

Jun 4, 2006

#11

• Jun 4, 2006

• #11

Subaru,Nissan,Toyota etc. have timing belts.

 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member

Dec 6, 2004

1,865

24

58

Jun 4, 2006

#12

• Jun 4, 2006

• #12

We had a 4.0 Explorer that the chain tensioners HAD to be replaced at around 75-80k. They were letting the chain go slack, it was kinda wierd... definatly dont think thats normal though. As said above, the engine should not have to have the fallowers/tensioners replaced as long as the engine runs.

But, if you have it apart might as well do it at that point.

 

Mike97gt

it doe snot

Founding Member

Jan 26, 1999

10,633

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89

the people's republic of massachusetts

Jun 4, 2006

#13

• Jun 4, 2006

• #13

BurningRubber said:

We had a 4.0 Explorer that the chain tensioners HAD to be replaced at around 75-80k. They were letting the chain go slack, it was kinda wierd... definatly dont think thats normal though. As said above, the engine should not have to have the fallowers/tensioners replaced as long as the engine runs.

But, if you have it apart might as well do it at that point.

Click to expand...

thats common on the explorer 4.0 sohc.. . they have a recall on many of them for that..

only 4 cylinder ford have timing belts.

 

KILLER EX

New Member

May 30, 2006

50

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Gloucester,Mass

Jun 4, 2006

#14

• Jun 4, 2006

• #14

thanks guys you have been a great help

 

d98gt

Founding Member

Mar 14, 2002

4,505

59

204

SE Texas

Nov 21, 2006

#15

• Nov 21, 2006

• #15

Alright.. Sorry for bumping this since it's pretty old and such though in early December i'll be getting the PI cams installed and the installer suggests going with new timing components.

The car has 150k+ so I was figuring:
New guides
New chains (I believe they are $35 a piece for GT chains-can anyone confirm?)

The installer suggests that I try to get some cobra chains. Can someone tell me why this is so and what the price difference should be?

What am I leaving out?
Thanks guys

 

jasonh_86

I

May 20, 2005

1,156

2

48

Arkansas

Nov 21, 2006

#16

• Nov 21, 2006

• #16

$35 a chain?.. dang..

I've got all the timing parts laying around.. pm me

 

d98gt

Founding Member

Mar 14, 2002

4,505

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204

SE Texas

Nov 21, 2006

#17

• Nov 21, 2006

• #17

Well the person that is selling me the cams is including the new guides/ used chains with them, though I was told to purchase new chains. He also suggested getting a cobra set? Are they more durable or what

As for parts is that all I should need?
Chains + Guides

 

B

Black'02

Member

Mar 5, 2006

100

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17

Rochester, NY

Nov 21, 2006

#18

• Nov 21, 2006

• #18

I wouldnt think that cobra chains would be any more durable then the gt chains. If the timing chains in your car lasted 150k miles then i cant see how you would really need an upgrade (if it even is an upgrade).

 

d98gt

Founding Member

Mar 14, 2002

4,505

59

204

SE Texas

Nov 21, 2006

#19

• Nov 21, 2006

• #19

Yeah, thats the thought that I was thinking also. It's kind of like when my motor mounts went bad everyone suggested the $120+ mounts when the factory type mounts lasted 120K+ and only were $24 each.


The person I am buying the cams from is including chains that have ~40K on them, though should I get spend the $60 or so on new chains?

All suggestions are appreciated

 

QuickCapri83

New Member

Sep 5, 2004

80

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0

North East, PA

Nov 21, 2006

#20

• Nov 21, 2006

• #20

114k and no issues with timing chain, I don't even give any thought to it, ever. I probably won't until 160k or so. I also have a 4.0 explorer, but mines the OHV, so I don't have the problem to worry about. I love my '97 Explorer Sport!!! Takes a beating, and still runs perfect with 120k, great suv's. I "had" to get it, cause of ours winters in the north east, and I live on a mountain pretty much.