Ford explorer timing chain rattle?

Does replacing the hydraulic tensioner fix that rattle noise on the timing chain, mines only does it every cold start. My explorer has 144,000 miles on it please help…

On start up the oil pressure is not up to tension the chain.
A new chain and tensioner may cure it.

Hi so what else would you expect from a n engine that has done 144k miles. That is a common thing with wear. A complete engine over haul is what it really needs not just the timing chain and it's tensioner. As the tensioner has done well for 144k when it was deigned to do just 100k miles.

Need fixing have it service.

There's no hydraulic tensioner on your timing chain if you have the cam in block and not the overhead cam 4.0L. The noise you hear is the rocker arms, pushrods, and lifters with excessive clearance due to leak down of oil pressure in the lifter overnight. Next time you change the oil, add a bottle of Lucas leak stop and see if the noise goes away. This is a common problem with this engine going all the way back to the 1970's with the 2.8L V-6 in mazda and later ford ranger pickups and the bronco II. The chain tensioner is spring loaded with a pawl that prevents it from compressing back as the guide block wears. It's made of nylon and wears away to sacrifice itself instead of wearing out the chain and causing breakage. Even if it wears out completely, it is unlikely to cause any real problem as it is located on the tensioned side of the chain. I ran a 1987 model ranger with the 2.9L over 350,000 miles and never replaced it. The rocker arms and pushrods were replaced. The pushrods do not receive pressure lubrication like most other v-type engines. The rocker arms do, but the pushrods rely on splash oiling from them. Excessive idling makes this problem manifest faster than mostly highway driving.

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