Thread: D3 4.0 V6 Petrol timing chain. 135km... jumped teeth?

Any codes being thrown by the ecu?

If you really suspect that you have skipped a tooth then, if the engine is interference type where the valves and pistons can contact each other, I would start with what you have already surmised, which is timing covers off and check the alignment marks on crank and camshafts to confirm prior to trying to turn it over again.

If it comes to needing a donor engine, I would personally plan on changing the timing belt(s)/chain(s) and other such things that are a pain the proverbial to change on-car, whilst you have the engine out on a stand and can work at your own pace (water pump, thermostat, timing tensioner(s)).

If you will have the body off, then consider tackling suspension bushes etc that are easier to access whilst the body is up.

If you are doing the work yourself then try and get hold of the factory service manuals.

Good Luck.

If you want to know about timing chains on 4litre engines look on Ford Explorer sites as they have the same engine.

There are AFAIR either 3 or 5 timing chains on a 4l as it started off as the Essex V6 in the 60s and was developed and developed.

There are timing chains at the rear of the engine so changing them is an engine out job anyway.

There is a very complex set of special tools to time the engine.

If I had one I would be changing the oil every 5K with very good quality oil. Long intervals kill these engines.

The good news is that last time I looked new crate engines were available from Ford Dealers in the USA for about USD 2500.

Regards Philip A

[QUOTE=SubEtherBASS;2830991]


I thought lining up crank timing marks to see if everything lined up, plus doing a compression test would be a far better starting point, would that be logical?[QUOTE]



Yep, do a compression test first , should be around 170-180 psi .

This may be helpful.
http://www.underhoodservice.com/expl...-0l-v6-engine/

Regards Philip A

[QUOTE=discorevy;2831028][QUOTE=SubEtherBASS;2830991]


I thought lining up crank timing marks to see if everything lined up, plus doing a compression test would be a far better starting point, would that be logical?

Yep, do a compression test first , should be around 170-180 psi .

They finally got around to doing a compression test, & result was; it’s gone missing!

there was a seller on ebay - bundalene I think, who had 1 or 2 4L V6 petrol engines with just over 1100,000kms.
If that helps.

I believe that the early SOHC version of the Ford Cologne V6 motors experienced fairly common issues of death rattle due to the timing chain guides failing which often eventually lead to the timing jumping. Being an interference motor if/when that happens the valves and/or head are often damaged.

The design was updated in the early 2000's which reduced the number effected but I don't believe it was ever fully resolved as yours is probably an example of.

If the engine starts and runs for a few seconds, it would be unlikely that the timing chain had jumped. Sounds more like a fuel problem.