D3 Cologne Timing Chain Guides

[Britonm]

Hi All,
My 150k D3 V6 just had its service, following a 200km drive I returned home and noticed a ticking coming from RHS of engine. I'm almost certain it's the front timing chain guides. I've received a quote to remove the engine for 7.5k to replace front and rear guides etc.
I'm certain it just the front and would like to know if anyone else has attempted changing the front timing setup, with the engine still in the car?
Appreciate the advice, for 7.5k it's almost a write off for me. Even a second-hand motor changeover will set me back 12k..
Thanks all
Matt

[loanrangie]

Can't help but would be worth looking at a US based site where the V6 is more prevalent.

[PhilipA]

Just Google 2004 or so Ford Explorer 4L.

I saw a second hand engine on USA Ebay for about USD1000.

The main problem as you probably know is that there are 5? timing chains with most at the back. The original Cologne camshaft acts as a jackshaft to take the timing to the back. It only has a short chain so the much longer ones at the back would also be suspect.

If one is worn/gone all should be replaced or you get a check engine light as the phasing of the cams gets out of whack.

And most places would need a timing lock set to set them up correctly.

There are some Youtubes describing what is necessary AFAIR in Spanish!

[Pippin]

Hi All,
My 150k D3 V6 just had its service, following a 200km drive I returned home and noticed a ticking coming from RHS of engine. I'm almost certain it's the front timing chain guides. I've received a quote to remove the engine for 7.5k to replace front and rear guides etc.
I'm certain it just the front and would like to know if anyone else has attempted changing the front timing setup, with the engine still in the car?
Appreciate the advice, for 7.5k it's almost a write off for me. Even a second-hand motor changeover will set me back 12k..
Thanks all
Matt Does it sound like this:Can anyone identify this tapping noise? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/289053-can-anyone-identify-tapping-noise.html) Thread dated 7th December 2021 have a look and a listen.

[101RRS]

Does it sound like this:Can anyone identify this tapping noise? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/289053-can-anyone-identify-tapping-noise.html) Thread dated 7th December 2021 have a look and a listen.

The engine in your quote is a 2.7 diesel V6, the engine in this thread is a petrol 4.0 V6 - there is absolutely nothing in common in these engines other than they ended up in the D3.

[Pippin]

The engine in your quote is a 2.7 diesel V6, the engine in this thread is a petrol 4.0 V6 - there is absolutely nothing in common in these engines other than they ended up in the D3.Apologies I did not pay enough attention.

[101RRS]

Apologies I did not pay enough attention.

Yes it is a bit dark being locked up in your WA cave [bigrolf].

[Pippin]

Yes it is a bit dark being locked up in your WA cave [bigrolf].Let me out of here!!!! [bawl]

[Eric SDV6SE]

The engine in your quote is a 2.7 diesel V6, the engine in this thread is a petrol 4.0 V6 - there is absolutely nothing in common in these engines other than they ended up in the D3.

The only hint that this was a petrol 4.0 is the reference to 'cologne' in the thread title. Even that is then obscure enough that anyone not too familiar with the engine options in the 3rd series Discovery platform (myself included) to assume that the engine was a diesel 2.7,by far the most common variant in the D3.

Back to the OP, have you gone back to whomever "serviced" it? This should have been picked up during any inspection by someone that knows what they are doing, regardless of engine type / variant.

7.5k to remove the engine and replace guides is an absolute joke, even at $150 an hour and say 500 in parts, it is not a job that has over 40 hours of direct labour in it by my reckoning. My suggestion is to take your business elsewhere, find a decent mechanic who is not intent on lightening your wallet.

BTW, its nice in our cave, no pesky bat viruses to deal with.

[loanrangie]

Easier and cheaper to lift the body than remove the engine.

[PhilipA]

Easier and cheaper to lift the body than remove the engine

I think you have to remove the transmission to get the rear timing cover off, but I am not sure.

I looked out of curiosity some years ago , as the 4.0 V6s are a lot cheaper and lower Ks than diesels. (and usually come on low spec S with springs.)
Regards PhilipA
Lots of videos.
Here is a good one
Ford 4.0L SOHC Front Timing Chain Replacement (Without Special Tools!) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwcYsTknjWI&ab_channel=PlatinumGarage)

[loanrangie]

I'd imagine it would only take a couple of hours to get the motor out and certainly cost less than the quoted 7.5k.