The timing chains on the
24V are subject to significant wear over the life of the engine and at around
100,000 miles some thought should be given to their replacement before one of
them snaps and causes further damage. A TSB was issued on this engine to replace
the tensioners (labelled 15 above) to prevent startup rattle however it is
uncertain as to how many vehicles will have had this work done. There is also
some concern that garages may not be following the correct procedures and as it
is critical that the correct procedure is followed we have obtained the
following document to assist. Click to download.Steve Collister replaced
his own Timing Chain on the 24V Cosworth engine and provides FINIS part numbers
and prices (11/01)
He had
a problem on the car from when he bought it - a rattle coming from the front of
the engine and diagnosed as a timing chain problem. It appears that all 24Vs are
prone to a short rattle from start which normally lasts just a couple of
seconds. There is a TSB for this problem and the Ford time estimate is only a
couple of hours so well worth getting a Ford dealer to replace the tensioners at
an early stage if possible.
Steve's car at first would only
do it when very cold and then only for a few seconds. We would recommend anyone
who hears this noise to get it sorted asap as if left can cause a lot of damage
and the fault lies with the RHS Cam Chain Tensioner.
He left his and it got worse and worse until it was noisy all the time and the
oil pressure light was coming on.
Just changing the tensioner now was not enough as their was still no oil
pressure. Also whilst he had the rocker cover off he could see a broken piece of
plastic resting in the engine which turned out to be one of the chain guides.
He started stripping down the car to effect a repair.
This is a major job and took him 3 solid days just putting everything back
together once he had stripped it down to gain access to the timing chain and
guides.
You will need some special tools to do some of the jobs, he made these himself
so if anyone needs more info he can supply this - contact him via the Mailing
List
Basically to gain access to the chain the following requires removing.
Plenum Chamber
Rocker Covers
Starter Motor
Alternator
A/C Pump
Power Steering Pump
Sump
Timing Cover
Water Pump
Radiator.
He did all the work on his driveway and found the hardest part was fitting the
sump gasket which is in 4 pieces and difficult with the car only raised on axle
stands.
The parts he replaced were both tensioners and chains the guides although some
were probably ok, the sprocket that drives the oil pump as all the teeth had
worn off, and numerous gaskets. He also had to remove broken plastic bits from
the oil pickup strainer and from inside the sump.
It is strongly recommended that whilst doing this work it
is worthwhile changing all camshaft sprockets as well if you are doing the
chain.
NOTE: There was one cam chain guide that he was unable to get. It was the one
that is tensioned by the drivers side tensioner and he got the dealer to get it
twice but each time got the wrong part. In the end he re-used the old one. The
part number is 1008390 but as I say ordered it twice but no joy.
If you find any of the guides have broken (one of his had) then take the oil
pump suction pipe off and check for bits and clean it out. He also had small
filings in the sump from all the teeth of the oil pump sprocket that had gone.
