A warning…

[JExpedition07]

Someone mentioned the spring failing inside the tensioner—possible. If that mechanism broke only oil pressure would hold where it’s only supposed to be an assist. Plausible. The chain slap was much more nasty than I’ve ever heard—you could hear it nailing the cover hard and it lasts about 5-10 seconds. Normally just a 1-2 second thing when they go. If that spring assist is absent and it relying solely on pressure that’s what you’d get. Poor quality parts coming out of Ford that’s for sure.

 

[Vdubnick]

Someone mentioned the spring failing inside the tensioner—possible. If that mechanism broke only oil pressure would hold where it’s only supposed to be an assist. Plausible. The chain slap was much more nasty than I’ve ever heard—you could hear it nailing the cover hard and it lasts about 5-10 seconds. Normally just a 1-2 second thing when they go. If that spring assist is absent and it relying solely on pressure that’s what you’d get. Poor quality parts coming out of Ford that’s for sure.

that sounds very plausible. are you just selling the vehicle as is? curiousity would get the best of me and make me take it apart to see what happened.

 

[Herby]

Someone mentioned the spring failing inside the tensioner—possible. If that mechanism broke only oil pressure would hold where it’s only supposed to be an assist. Plausible. The chain slap was much more nasty than I’ve ever heard—you could hear it nailing the cover hard and it lasts about 5-10 seconds. Normally just a 1-2 second thing when they go. If that spring assist is absent and it relying solely on pressure that’s what you’d get. Poor quality parts coming out of Ford that’s for sure.

Performed a timing chain job on my 2007 Expy EL Limited around 2019. Replaced exiting equipment with Ford OEM parts. Did not replace the oil pump. Truck still running strong 14,000 Miles later. Hope the parts continue to do their job as I will be totally pi$$ed if I have to do this work again. Thanks for sharing and starting the discussion.

 

[Vdubnick]

Performed a timing chain job on my 2007 Expy EL Limited around 2019. Replaced exiting equipment with Ford OEM parts. Did not replace the oil pump. Truck still running strong 14,000 Miles later. Hope the parts continue to do their job as I will be totally pi$$ed if I have to do this work again. Thanks for sharing and starting the discussion.

im not worried, factory parts lasted at least 185k on mine before i noticed an issue. IF you replaced with OE parts, you should get close to the same life expectancy from the point of changing. I honestly think another root cause of issues is the pressure seal around the oil pump, a section gets clogged over time, and if it doesnt seal, you run the risk of sucking air (losing oil suction), which would definitely impact oil pressure/flow.

 

[JExpedition07]

Performed a timing chain job on my 2007 Expy EL Limited around 2019. Replaced exiting equipment with Ford OEM parts. Did not replace the oil pump. Truck still running strong 14,000 Miles later. Hope the parts continue to do their job as I will be totally pi$$ed if I have to do this work again. Thanks for sharing and starting the discussion.

I’ve put on a bit over 50,000 miles since the timing job. All OEM parts. The new tensioners let loose after about 50,000 miles of use lol.

 

[JExpedition07]

that sounds very plausible. are you just selling the vehicle as is? curiousity would get the best of me and make me take it apart to see what happened.

No I won’t sell a vehicle in that condition. It’s being picked up and being sent to the wrecker. I’ve sent all my vehicles to the junk yard actually, haven’t sold one yet.

 

[Vdubnick]

No I won’t sell a vehicle in that condition. It’s being picked up and being sent to the wrecker. I’ve sent all my vehicles to the junk yard actually, haven’t sold one yet.

then get out the angle grinder and cut open where the tensioner is... if you are gonna destroy it, would be quick to rip apart and check...

 

[Hamfisted]

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-BT402-Replacement-Timing-Tensioner/dp/B004A6DP98/ref=sr_1_8?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,automotive,112&sr=1-8&vehicle=2008-54-662-1444--9-6-7-7583--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

Andy those are good to go. I used 'em in mine and they've been bulletproof. It's what Ford use to use before the accountants stepped in. You'll need the new Crankshaft bolt as well, since they are "torque to yield" tightening specs. I used a black impact socket and took a silver Sharpie and drew lines 90 degrees apart on the socket (i.e. 4 lines ...). Used an air impact to spin it the required 90 degree torque turn.





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[Herby]

I’ve put on a bit over 50,000 miles since the timing job. All OEM parts. The new tensioners let loose after about 50,000 miles of use lol.

Great! Another timing job in my future!!!!

 

[Herby]

im not worried, factory parts lasted at least 185k on mine before i noticed an issue. IF you replaced with OE parts, you should get close to the same life expectancy from the point of changing. I honestly think another root cause of issues is the pressure seal around the oil pump, a section gets clogged over time, and if it doesnt seal, you run the risk of sucking air (losing oil suction), which would definitely impact oil pressure/flow.
View attachment 72097

Good to know. Thanks! My original timing equipment lasted 192,000 miles before the dreaded sound of the cold start "Death Rattle."