Well, the jackshaft tensioner is relatively "easy." I had a buddy that knows fords (professional mechanic, works on foreign luxury cars mostly at the shop he works at) do the job; since the only real problem (mine is a 2002, remember) was the bad jackshaft tensioner (yes, it is mechanical, springs hold it in tension)... he didn't even have to loosen anything other than to take the tensioner off, he didn't remove the chain or sprockets, as they were all in fine shape. To get to it, of course, he had to remove a bunch of stuff. For him, it took several hours--took his time to get it right. For me (and I'm neither a master mechanic or an amateur), taking my time, it's a weekender ... taking breaks and what not. The jackshaft tensioner will always make noise (easier to hear when it's cold, since the metal in the car carries sound better that way) in that 1800 RPM range, particularly going up a slight hill with a little throttle. If you have an earlier model, 2001 and before, that front camshaft cassette / tensioner is probably involved as well... that one certainly is tougher to deal with. If you are unfortunate enought to have an issue with the rear camshaft cassette, that is a bear, as the whole engine has to come out. Fortunately, at least from what I've gathered cruising the forums, it's often the front cassette and / or the jackshaft tensioner. I would say if you're going to do this job on a 2001 or ealier, and are doing it yourself (labor cost not a factor), just do the front cassette and jackshaft tensioner at the same time, while you've got it all apart... it would be pretty frustrating to do one, and find that the other one is causing the noise, or it starts shortly after the other repair!

 

I haven't had a chance to isolate the sound yet. I'll try to "get-r-done" this weekend. If I use Lucas or some other brand oil additive, do you think it might "bandaid" the issue until I can get to it?

 

That really depends on what the problem is.

 

Can anyone tell me if the 2U3Z-6D256-CA timing kit contains only the jackshaft(primary) tensioner and related parts, or does it contain the front camshaft tensioner and cassette as well?
If it contains only the jackshaft parts, what is the part/kit # for the front cam tensioner? Thanks!

 

Thanks Space Truckin', best description and explanation of the timing chain problem I've seen.

Replaced my tensioners and the oil restrictor on my 99 SOHC in 2002, no problems since. You've set my mind at rest. Thanks.

 

I have the same rattling noise, I changed the front cassete like 15.000 miles ago and the noise is back, I didn't know then about the oil restrictor, I¡ve seen it now but my local ford dealer does not know about it, anybody has the part numbers for the revised cassete and the restrictor? mine is a 1998 model

thanks.

Augusto.

 

Ford part number YL2Z-9E473-AA is a kit that includes the new oil restrictor, revised tensioner, and revised lower intake manifold gaskets. The kit lists for about $65 and I paid just over $40 because it was part of a $600 purchase.

I hope this is what you were looking for but please remember the cassette and the tensioner are not the same thing.

 

thanks a lot.

Augusto

 

Were is the oil restrictor located at?