2002-2004 ford explorer harmonic balancer removal .. and front timing chain inspection

[@randyfurness2415]

Thanks for your videos. You show how to get these pesky tasks done in a safe , budget minded basis for the average back yard mechanic. Most of us don't have the garage with every lift and tool available that most of the other videos show when repairing vehicles. Great time and frustration saving instructions,. Keep them coming please !

[@sean66606]

Just a quick tip on the issue with these explorers, I did some digging as I own an 04 myself experiencing the same issue and I found that it’s not the oil at fault most of the time. The issue is that the tensioners, not the guides, begin to fail after 75,000 miles and if they’re not replaced, the timing chain gains more play until it eventually destroys the guides as well. Which as you discovered isn’t pretty.

[@NexGenCarGuys]

sean66606 I’ve actually rebuilt several of these engines since this video was posted. And it’s definitely an issue for sure probably more of a design flaw then anything. But I have had the chance to take one apart for a refresh that had synthetic oil ran from day one and it had 150k miles and minimal wear on guides. But the tensioners were wore out . Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching the video.

[@sean66606]

THE HOW TO GUY I’ll definitely look into running synthetic with mine. Hopefully it’s not too late for my guides. Hoping it’s just the lack of tension I’m hearing at the moment. It’s clicking but not making anywhere near as much noise as others I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@charlessegraves7807]

I'm having the same issue with a 03 ford explorer

[@martystevens8357]

You might want to put thick washers at the end of the crank and then use the tool to remove the damper.

[@godsgood9644]

What do you mean in that area it is or it is in a 2003 or 2002. Makes a difference for us idiots that don't know what we're doing.

[@fvaldry203]

Love your video. got a rattling noise coming from the front of the engine sounds like the water pump going bad. I was driving and the car shut off wouldn't start up. Could I just change the front tensioner and it would solve the problem. Did it jump timing if it did what would I have to do. I have a 2004 4.0. I was thinking it was the gas pump or the gas filter the reason it wont start waiting for a video or an answer THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Unfortunately if it has jumped time prepare to spend some money .. these are interference engines which means it could have bent valves. First two things to check on any engine that will not start would be fuel pressure and spark/ignition. If it has both and still nothing do a compression/leak down test on all cylinders. If all of this checks out it should start. Beyond that it’s probably and electronic issue most likely a crank sensor. Have replaced a few. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@NexGenCarGuys]

To answer your other question you could replace just the front chain but it requires a tool from ford that holds the camshafts in place to set timing for both sides. Would probably be much easier to just pull the engine and do both the front and back as most chain replacement kits comes with everything to do front and rear.

[@fvaldry203]

Thank you so very much this is a good and god like thing you do may god keep his shield and hands around you and your family Thank you I'll be looking out for another one of your video

[@morrisw7227]

Water pumps don't rattle when they go bad, they leak.

[@scottwilliams4444]

What town in al you in and do you do mechanic work I'm disabled have a 2000 Ford Explorer that needs a harmonic balancer changed on it

[@NexGenCarGuys]

We are close to Huntsville Al

[@davidalcasas5980]

98 explorer..the exact guide broke..my ?...how do I get to the bottom of crankshaft to remove pieces ??

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Removing the oil pan is about the only way. If have the timing cover off and drain the oil sometimes you can go in that way with an inspection mirror and a assortment of picks and a good light.

[@davidalcasas5980]

thank you..I pulled pan...noticed tensioner on cam to crank also busted up bad...question...all that plastic and metal curved pieces...how can I get to them ? or is this pretty much external as in out side the block pistons valves etc..

[@NexGenCarGuys]

@@davidalcasas5980 it shouldn't ever get beyond the oil pan. May have some pieces in the oil pick up tube. But any small pieces small enough to pass the pickup screen will be in the oil filter.

[@Sandra-sm5iq]

Where are you located and how much do you charge to do the timing chain repairs

[@papomustang4093]

GOD BLESS Do you need to ta the motor out to replace the guide and iner tensioner?

[@NexGenCarGuys]

if all your replacing is the front guides and chains no .. but it is almost impossible to do the rear chain and guide without removing the engine ..

[@boobalew]

@@NexGenCarGuys ; If you have a 2 wheel drive, it won't have a balance shaft and the right bank cassette and guides can be replaced by removing the transmission. Working on these is a major pain in the rear end!

[@rickorell3632]

Hi dude ? If chain guides need replacement can they be replaced without takeing the chain off

[@NexGenCarGuys]

The front chain guides can

[@jay-c6128]

Can it be done without taking out the motor??

[@iangillis4495]

I have a 2005 Explorer 4.0. I’m hearing a rattling noise at start up and while driving I can hear it echo off the wall with the windows down. Dealership I got it from said it’s just a camshaft phaser. I did research and don’t see anything about phasers in a 4.0. I only see it in the V8. I replaced the top tensioner and still I’m hearing the noise. What’s an estimated cost to get the chains and guides replaced?

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Ian Gillis its not something that will be cheap the guides are pretty inexpensive. Rockauto used to offer a guide set but most places sell them in a timing set which comes with chains and all .. those kits are usually around $400. Now I wouldn’t just replace the guides the engine has to come out to get to the rear chain set and if you went through all of that trouble might as well install a new timing set. Depending on were you are you could possibly get it done around $1000 hope this helps... on another note I haven’t seen cam phasers on a 4.0 .. the 3valve 4.6 engines have them because they have variable cam timing.

[@iangillis4495]

Hoons Performance oh ok. I had called a shop last week and he said $3000 just to do the front . I could do that myself if I had the time. The car ain’t even worth that much smh

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Ian Gillis Wow!!!! $3000 and you could purchase a complete replacement engine. Hope everything works out and good luck..

[@angelf9800]

Does the timing cover have a gasket or a sealer

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Yes it has a gasket may could use just sealer but the gasket isn’t very expensive I recommend using gasket .. thanks for watching

[@miguelsaucedo8789]

How many hours did it take for you to take the engine out?

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Miguel Saucedo I’ve pulled several of these engines so I fairly quick at them . If you have never removed one I’d say it would take about 8hrs to get it out .. I can usually have them out in a couple of hours .. thanks for watching

[@NexGenCarGuys]

DFS54 do it all myself

[@NexGenCarGuys]

DFS54 not at all .. lol I’m working on a shop that will have a lift .. so it’ll make things. Much easier

[@morrisw7227]

Oh! The engine is out of the car. Not much instruction needed now.

[@BBLACKMAN60]

hey i hope you reply.. im having that problem i was just wondering if i have to take the motor out for this job and is there a right way to put the harmonic balancer back on

[@NexGenCarGuys]

Brian Blackman you should not have to remove engine to remove harmonic balancer you may need to remove the radiator .but to answer your other question the harmonic balancer has a key way cut into the inside race.. the crankshaft has a key way on it to ensure that it is reinstalled properly. Now if you are replacing the timing chain components removing the engine is the best way.

[@BBLACKMAN60]

THE HOW TO GUY thanks so much and I just have to fix that guide

[@NexGenCarGuys]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXvEqWSBhdmFeJo check out this video it has a step by step timing chain replacement quide.. I used it as a reference for my first rebuild.