Diy timing

JONBOY LARKIN

MEMBER
2010 FORD EXPLORER
4.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

I had to replace the timing chain cassette and the camera rolled over on me. Can I reset the time and just by rolling that can back into its original position?

Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 AT 8:48 AM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

I'm not completely sure I understand what happened. As far as timing the rear chain cassette, it can be done, but you need to be certain the crankshaft is at TDC, and the camshaft is positioned correctly as well. If you are able to do that, yes, you can remove the chain and the pulley and reposition it. Remember the bolt holding the cam gear on is a right-handed thread. Turn it clockwise to loosen it.

Also, to release tension on the chain, you need to remove the hydraulic tensioner. Then the gear can be removed and adjusted.

Let me know. I'm sorry if this isn't what you needed. I'm just not 100% sure what happened.

Joe

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Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 AT 7:11 PM

JONBOY LARKIN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I'm sorry I was a little aggravated when I wrote the post. The plastic guide on the cassette shattered because the tensioner froze up. Anyway, my question is about how to time just the driver's side. The cam rolled over on me while I had the tensioner off. Now I should add I just placed a new plastic guide on the old cassette because it happened seconds after I started the vehicle, I immediately shut off and diagnosed what went wrong. The side of the valve cover cracked but I fished all the plastic out (I compared the remains with the new one, and like 98% of it was in my hand.). So, I was just kind of checking parts out and the cam snapped over. I didn't think it was an issue he cans I Still had the
chain on and assumed the whole system did the same. Well, now the timing is off, and I do not want to remove the
cover. I'm thinking I could just roll the crank to
TDC and loosen the cam bult and roll the left side to TDC and tighten it back up. But how do I determine if the crank is on
the compression stroke in #1 if there are no markings to go off of?

Sorry for the long post.

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Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 AT 11:28 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

No problem whatsoever. If that happened to me, I would have been the same. Here's the thing. Anytime one or both of the camshafts is disturbed, both need to be retimed.

Also, as far as finding TDC, it requires a special tool (ford part number T97T-6303-A) that is attached to the crankshaft timing ring. There is only one way it can attach and then TDC is determined when the tool contacts a specific location on the engine block.

Take a look at the pics below. I added the procedures below specific to this engine. Take a look through them and let me know if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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