Timing Chain Tensioners

[pektel]

Awesome. Car started misfiring like a mofo. I figured it was a failing coil or two. I stop to get something to drink from the gas station, and hear the knock/tick sound. I pop the hood, and it's coming from the front of the valve cover, driver's side. CEL came on on the way to dropping it off at the mechanic. I'm in the middle of getting this remodel finished up (I have to be done by Friday) so no time to do it myself. Mechanic is going to pull the valve cover and give me a call with the verdict. I'm hoping it's under 400 bucks. He only charges me hourly, so it should be that at the most (65 an hour plus parts).

Anyways, sh*t breaks. Fix it. Meh.

I MAY have him replace the passenger side too, depending on price, just for preventive maintenance.

 

[marcredd]

First Manoli, now yours. Damn. How in the hell did I get 209,000 out of my original engine and never have to change mine???

 

[pektel]

I have 170K on mine right now. Got some good life out of them I think.

 

[marcredd]

Very true.

 

[G-RELL]

Hope its quick for ya... are you going to order parts, or just pay fords price?

 

[pektel]

Well, I can't be without a car for more than a couple days. We'll see what he comes back at for price.

 

[hite337]

That sucks pektel, I hope it all works out. I am hoping my tensioners make it till next winter. I'm at 163K.

 

[pektel]

I'm just glad I made it there before a tensioner failed completely or a chain snapped.

 

[2002_lincolnLS]

I am not looking forward to this I will be most likely replacing mine soon just to head it off before I have to do it and don't have the funds

 

[TooManyToys]

At that mileage you might also consider the guides as well.

 

[pektel]

So, FLM dealer here lists the tensioner for 179, but will sell it to me for 143. Sound fair? I can get the part overnighted for free...

And the gasket set (with o rings, driver's side only) lists for 59.50, and they'll let it go for 48.00.

 

[marcredd]

Price the parts with Christopher's?

 

[pektel]

I did not. Only because I need them quickly. If I order from the dealer, they will be here at 8:00 tomorrow morning.

What's the link for Christopher's so I can check prices.

 

[214rod]

Is the dealer selling the updated versions?

 

[pektel]

There was only one part shown in their system. No clue. But I have 170K on it right now. I don't need the new one to last that long. If I get 50K out of it that will be more than enough.

 

[marcredd]

http://stores.christophersforeigncarparts.com/-strse-LINCOLN/Categories.bok

 

[214rod]

Coincidence but mine hit the crapper today. Passenger side & I'm also at 170k.

 

[pektel]

Just checked. The part is way cheaper at $75, but to have it tomorrow morning would cost me $101.00 more. Thanks for the links, guys, but the timeframe is the thing that's killing me.

 

[marcredd]

Totally understand. Keep us posted as to how the repair goes.

 

[TooManyToys]

Are you sure the dealer price is for 1 tensioner? When I got all my parts from my local dealer they all worked out cheaper then Christopher's. More like $30 cheaper combining both tensioners.

 

[pektel]

Not sure on if the dealer price is for one or two. IIRC, he did ask what side. Maybe that was for the VCG set though.

 

[manoli]

Damn another LS yep i just went through this whole mess but i did replace all of it complete teardown.

http://stores.christophersforeigncarparts.com/-strse-84/Lincoln-LS-timing-chain/Detail.bok

Lincoln dealer here wanted $3800 parts and labor and that was with the old style tensioners I had a friend of mine (mechanic) that has worked on a couple of Jag XJR'S with the same issues as far as the timing chain issues & tensioners do it, I walked away spending 1300 total parts and labor.


Both uppers were cracked.

Tensioner completly waisted chain had actually started to eat the metal

Chain started to come apart...

Make sure if you are replacing the tensioner with the updated version and good luck with everything!

 

[jolinc01]

Hopefully the labor is a fair price. I'm not looking forward to this happening to mine either.

 

[pektel]

I'm hoping to be out the door with $400 or less, parts and labor. That gives him 3 hrs to do the job. With all the proper tools, I don't see that to be a problem. When I blew a spark plug because of a stripped head, he only charged me $200, and even went on site to fix it, saving me a tow charge.

 

[manoli]

Hopefully the labor is a fair price. I'm not looking forward to this happening to mine either.

Once you hear that rattle first cold start shut it off!! I had it towed as soon this happend...Then the spending begins, I do feel better about it now i must say as I wait for other components to fail :shifty: