Ford 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Replacement Guide – How to Replace the Timing Chain on the Ford 4.O SOHC Engine

In this article, you would get a detailed replacement guide for the Timing chain on your Ford 4.0 SOHC engine. The Timing chain of your engine is needed to keep the car running smoothly.

Ford 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Replacement Guide

Damage to this belt would cause further damage to your car in the long run. In this article, you would be educated on how to replace the timing chain with detailed steps. So, kindly read to the end.

Ford 4.0 SOHC Timing Chain Replacement Guide

In the year 2001, Ford designed and introduced the Ford 4.0 SOHC engine. The previously used engine was the 4.0 Over-head-valve (OVH) engine. You may be wondering now “what does Ford 4.0 SOHC mean?”

This term stands for 4 liters Single-Overhead-Cam engine. This engine has a 4-liter capacity and has better features than the previous Ford engines.

Some of the features include better horsepower and a better fuel economy. However, if the timing chain of this engine breaks, the car would lose its efficiency.

Timing Chain

What is a timing chain? Is the timing chain important in the car? How do I Identify a timing chain in my car? If this question is running through your mind now, you are reading the right article.

A Timing chain is a set of metal links that aligns the rotary movement of your Engine’s camshaft and crankshaft.

The timing chain controls the opening and closing of valves in the combustion engine. It does this by aligning the camshaft and crankshaft. The camshaft and crankshaft, in turn, open and close the valves at the same time. This avoids the pistons in the internal combustion engine from coming in contact with the valves.

With time, the timing chain may wear out due to pressure and other factors. Thus, necessitating a replacement. To learn more about the signs of a bad timing chain and how to replace it, keep on reading.

Symptoms of a Bad Timing Chain

To confirm if the Timing chain on your Ford 4.0 SOHC engine is bad, there are some symptoms you need to watch out for. The symptoms here mean the signs or indicators of a bad timing chain. They include:

  • “Check engine lights” on the dashboard. Your car is installed with a lot of sensors. A sensor brings up a warning light when there is a fault with any part of your car.
  • Contaminated engine oil. Normally, the timing chain of your car is lubricated by the engine oil. A worn-out timing chain may cause bits of these metals in the engine oil.
  • An unusual rattling sound when you start the engine of your car. This also happens when the brakes are applied.

When you notice these signs on your Ford car, you should call your mechanic to confirm it. Alternatively, you can do a physical check to see the state of the Timing chain.

You should know that replacing the timing chain on your Ford 4.0 SOHC engine should be done as soon as possible. This is because leaving the chain unattended can damage other engine components.

How to Replace the Timing Chain on the Ford 4.O SOHC Engine

You can replace the Timing chain on your Ford 4.0 SOHC engine by yourself. This is easy to do and also cost-efficient. Don’t know how to go about it? Follow the Ford 4.0 SOHC timing chain replacement guide below:

  • Ensure your engine is cool before you start and put your car in gear to prevent it from spinning when you remove the timing belt.
  • Also, remember to engage the handbrake.
  • Prepare your work environment by lifting up the front of your car using a jack. This would help you gain access to the underside of your Vehicle’s Engine.
  • Remove the battery of your car by disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery.
  • Remove the accessory belts and components lying above the timing belt cover (the fan belt, power steering belt, hose, etc.).
  • After removing the accessories, remove the timing belt cover carefully.
  • With the aid of your Vehicle’s repair manual, locate the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets and mark them with the white chalk.
  • Align the timing points according to the procedure outlined in your repair manual. The number one cylinder will be set to the Top dead center (TDC) as a result of this.
  • Loosen the tension bolt on the belt tensioner pulley carefully.
  • With this, slip the belt off.
  • Remove the crankshaft pulley carefully and also ensure that the crankshaft sprocket does not move.
  • After you have removed the crankshaft pulley, remove the Timing chain.
  • To install a new Timing chain, position it around the Crankshaft sprocket.
  • Replace the crankshaft pulley with the guide on your Vehicle’s repair manual.
  • Ensure that you replace the crankshaft pulley and sprocket in alignment with the marks you made with the white chalk.
  • Test if the chain has the correct pressure by turning the belt about a quarter of a turn using your thumb and index finger (the belt has a proper tension when a reasonable tension is applied to turn the belt).
  • Carefully re-install the timing belt cover and other accessories and components.
  • Connect the negative battery terminal to the battery.
  • Start your Vehicle’s engine and make sure everything is working properly.

If you follow the guidelines outlined below carefully, you would be able to Replace the Timing belt of your vehicle all by yourself.

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