Timing chain tensioners leaking

2003 FORD EXPLORER
10 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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Can I change just the washer on the timing chain tensioners? They’re brand new, but one of them didn’t come with a washer and ford said I didn’t need it. I’m thinking I’m going to add one because it’s leaking. The other one came with a very thin washer, so I want to change it to a thicker copper one. If I can do this without replacing the tensioners, what is the procedure? It has to be in TDC when I remove it, right?
Mar 28, 2022 at 8:21 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

They are not washers; they are O rings to keep it from leaking.

I attached pictures for you of the tensioner and it requires an O ring on each one.

Roy
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Mar 28, 2022 at 9:44 AM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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Yeah, but the one that came with my tensioner isn’t working. so, can I replace it with a thicker cooper one?
Mar 29, 2022 at 1:14 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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It must be rubber O-ring, not a washer.

Look at the pictures I sent for reference.

Make sure they are the correct tensioner as well.

Roy
Mar 29, 2022 at 6:36 PM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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It has never had a rubber O-ring. The new one that the ford dealership gave me came with one that wasn’t rubber.
Mar 30, 2022 at 6:14 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Double check and make sure they are correct. There were 2, 4. 0 motors listed for the year.

Roy
Mar 30, 2022 at 8:19 AM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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I gave them my VIN before I bought the tensioner. Mine look like the one in the image below.
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Apr 2, 2022 at 9:33 AM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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I have a 4.0 V6 SOHC engine. Here’s a pic of the tensioner that’s leaking. You can see that it’s filling up the valley with oil.
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Apr 2, 2022 at 9:41 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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It does not make sense.

I still think you need the ones with the o ring, not a gasket.

Roy
Apr 5, 2022 at 9:06 AM