A warning…

[JExpedition07]

For those of you that recall I did a timing job to my 5.4 almost 2 years ago. I just wanted to let you all know the factory tensioners have failed again as of about 1.5 years of service and the chain slaps around very badly on startup. the truck going to the boneyard anyway because the transmission issues. The tensioners were Ford OEM and torqued to spec with a torque wrench. For any of you doing that job in the future I’d highly recommend skipping the factory style o-ring ones. I questioned this many times—how can the O-ring handle a new strong oil pump feeding it? Well the answer is it can’t. It will happen all over again. That’s why I was flat out against the Melling pump. Anyway, I’m done with the 3rd gens and the rusty rockers, the engine problems. Shopping for a new vehicle and never looking back. Just thought I’d share with any of you doing that horrendous job—get ratcheting tensioners.

 

[Langer]

For those of you that recall I did a timing job to my 5.4 almost 2 years ago. I just wanted to let you all know the factory tensioners have failed again as of about 1.5 years of service and the chain slaps around very badly on startup. the truck going to the boneyard anyway because the transmission issues. The tensioners were Ford OEM and torqued to spec with a torque wrench. For any of you doing that job in the future I’d highly recommend skipping the factory style o-ring ones. I questioned this many times—how can the O-ring handle a new strong oil pump feeding it? Well the answer is it can’t. It will happen all over again. That’s why I was flat out against the Melling pump. Anyway, I’m done with the 3rd gens and the rusty rockers, the engine problems. Shopping for a new vehicle and never looking back. Just thought I’d share with any of you doing that horrendous job—get ratcheting tensioners.

Major bummer! What was going on with your trans? Didn’t your have it rebuilt or replaced or something before you did the timing job?

 

[Andy Rubalcaba]

I'm currently prepping for my timing job. There are tensioner options besides the ones that come with the timing kit?

I kind of question the meiling pump too, but more or less because I question the need for a new oil pump. I haven't really read around though if it's something that is unreliable after a certain age or mileage. perhaps just replace it with a factory one you think?

 

[JExpedition07]

I used a factory oil pump and it was strong enough to blow out the gaskets on new tensioners, I think the Melling would have blown them out in a matter of 6 months lol. Yes there are steel machined ratcheting tensioners they used on early 2 valve engines. The later 2 valve and then 3 valves use the plastic tensioners that blow out. If you get the ratcheting tensioners the Melling pump should be fine.

 

[Trainmaster]

I truly feel your pain. That's a horrible lesson to learn, but all too typical of today's engineering and parts. I wish you better luck in your future endeavors. Thanks for sharing a lesson learned. Let us know what new truck you find and how it compares. Hope you're still with us on this Ford site. It's been nice hearing from you.

 

[JExpedition07]

Unfortunately it’s not even the engineers per say. They are told what to make and at what price by bean counters and are often directed to design junk. That’s why I laugh at the keyboard warriors who say “the engineers know better than us they did a good job”…oh they do, and they would not have designed a plastic effing tensioner if it was up to them. They designed a few options and Ford chose the cheapest option they put forth. They knew it was junk, they just didn’t have a choice.

 

[mr_dave]

I agree. The choice to use plastic with tiny rubber gaskets on such a critical component, knowing there would be significant failures, just to save literally pennies, is ridiculous and insulting to be honest. My previous vehicles were mostly German and Japanese and they certainly had their own quirks and issues, but they would never allow such a compromise like these tensioners to happen.

 

[Trainmaster]

J - How many miles did you have on that truck?

 

[Andy Rubalcaba]

I found these from amazon, I don't mind the 110$ if these tensioners are problematic. I plan to start towing my popup trailer and take the family camping a lot this year, so I need her to be fairly tanky and reliable.

https://www.amazon.com/Melling-BT40...1-1-3690-50-&vehicleName=2008+Ford+Expedition

https://www.amazon.com/Melling-BT403-Replacement-Timing-Tensioner/dp/B004A66EIW/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2NBG1MW12KF9Q&keywords=ford+timing+chain+tensioner&pd_rd_r=6db756f6-4c5d-4668-bb9f-8f4df464e89b&pd_rd_w=AzRFc&pd_rd_wg=7xEco&pf_rd_p=9360b471-40a4-4849-a379-57e91fca0d04&pf_rd_r=VC1PVH3BPMNP7X1R7267&qid=1643588798&s=automotive&sprefix=ford+timing+chain+tensioner%2Cautomotive%2C112&sr=1-10&vehicle=2008-54-662-1444--9-6-7-7583--1-1-3690-50-&vehicleName=2008+Ford+Expedition

 

[cheetah577]

I should check this forum more often. My 2011 Exepdition with 204,000 miles jumped the timing chain on the left bank and the valves went into the pistons. As a result, I get to buy a new motor. I have been meticulous with my maintenance and I had no evidence my chain was loose. Apparently, this is a common issue in the Gen3 Expeditions. Is there any Ford motor that will last more than 10 years?
Thanks!

 

[mr_dave]

These looked interesting when I was searching previously, however I don't have any experience with them. Anyone know if they're good?

Ford Triton 5.4L engines | ford54engines.com

www.ford54engines.com

 

[Vdubnick]

For those of you that recall I did a timing job to my 5.4 almost 2 years ago. I just wanted to let you all know the factory tensioners have failed again as of about 1.5 years of service and the chain slaps around very badly on startup. the truck going to the boneyard anyway because the transmission issues. The tensioners were Ford OEM and torqued to spec with a torque wrench. For any of you doing that job in the future I’d highly recommend skipping the factory style o-ring ones. I questioned this many times—how can the O-ring handle a new strong oil pump feeding it? Well the answer is it can’t. It will happen all over again. That’s why I was flat out against the Melling pump. Anyway, I’m done with the 3rd gens and the rusty rockers, the engine problems. Shopping for a new vehicle and never looking back. Just thought I’d share with any of you doing that horrendous job—get ratcheting tensioners.

shit, why didnt you post this a month ago lol.... just finished mine

did you take it apart to verify the failure, or just going off of sound? i havent seen any other posts of the new style failing. I too have concerns with the added pressure, especially with the new rollers having pin holes versus wide open holes that will keep more back pressure, but then i remember that the mustang uses the same tensioners and higher pressure pump (80 vs 60psi).

I am curious how the gasket fails on the new ones, the old gaskest seemed like a flat/platic gasket that just slid out, the new one is more silicone/thick and the groove seemed bigger.

 

[WEDGE]

I did the timing job on my 2010 almost a year ago. Used the Melling 340HV pump and cast iron ratcheting tensioners. Absolutely no problems to report! I didn't like the idea of plastic tenioners, updated design or not!

 

[Vdubnick]

the plastic tensioners have a spring, i do not believe they actually hold any oil pressure while engine is off (if there was, it would leak out the rocker/rollers or somewhere else down the line). maybe they fixed one issue and put a cheap spring in that failed.

 

[proftomda]

Totally feel your pain. Absolutely opt for the cast iron ratcheting tensioner‘s. I installed the cast iron tensioners 5 years ago when I did the timing job on my sons 08 f150 and it’s totally silent to this day. Still have the “improved” Ford plastic tensioners new in a box in my shop but one look and you can see there is no way they will as reliable as the good old cast iron ones. BTW changing the oil pump to a Melling always a smart idea.

 

[Vdubnick]

OP, do you have pics of the tensioners? i am curious what the new seal blowout looks like, i havent seen anyone else having the same issue with the latest plastic version. I wonder if you have something else going on. also, reading on the mustang forums that while the cast iron tensioners dont have seals to blow out, they also dont seal up fully and leak a little, causing the VCT issues still.

 

[proftomda]

I have had the cast iron ratcheting tensioners installed for 5 years and absolutely no VCT phaser issues. I also have the Melling pump.

 

[JExpedition07]

OP, do you have pics of the tensioners? i am curious what the new seal blowout looks like, i havent seen anyone else having the same issue with the latest plastic version. I wonder if you have something else going on. also, reading on the mustang forums that while the cast iron tensioners dont have seals to blow out, they also dont seal up fully and leak a little, causing the VCT issues still.

No pics, I’m not opening it up. I’d assume it failed just like the old ones, heat and cool cycles hardens the once soft seal bead then oil pressure blows a chunk of the seal out and p*sses oil out the block.

 

[Vdubnick]

No pics, I’m not opening it up. I’d assume it failed just like the old ones, heat and cool cycles hardens the once soft seal bead then oil pressure blows a chunk of the seal out and p*sses oil out the block.

big assumption to make, especially since it doesnt seem like there are any other posts of new ones failing, but tons of the old.... I would verify before I go posting unknown failures.
chain slap could be something else failed. did you get OE parts from a dealer or ebay/amazon etc?

 

[Vdubnick]

I have had the cast iron ratcheting tensioners installed for 5 years and absolutely no VCT phaser issues. I also have the Melling pump.

good to know, i will worry about it more when i see more than one post about the new design ones failing. i never had chain slap issues with the old ones, just bad timing/power under load.