OEM Ford Freestyle Timing Chain Tensioner

Ford Freestyle Timing Chain Tensioner Parts and Q&A

• Tensioner
  YF1Z-6L266-BA
  Q: How to service and repair the timing chain tensioner on Ford Freestyle?

  A:

  The process for servicing timing chain tensioners requires cleaning the work area to avoid oil or coolant passage entry of foreign substances that cause catastrophic engine failure. First eliminate the engine front cover then take out the ignition pulse wheel while making certain that the pulse wheel features its keyway oriented to the slot bearing the markings "30" or "30RFF" (orange in color). Begin the procedure by installing the damper bolt before you remove the two Spark Plugs located on the LH and RH positions of the engine. Open the crankshaft clockwise so its keyway becomes visible at 11 o'clock while the engine reaches top dead center (TDC) for the first cylinder. Check the Camshaft alignment once again if the crankshaft needs another clockwise rotation to achieve the correct location. Proceed with clockwise crankshaft rotation for 120 degrees until both RH camshafts arrive at neutral position and inspect their alignment status. First remove the RH timing chain tensioner arm then proceed to remove the accompanying bolts as well as the tensioner and tensioner arm itself. The following components need removal starting with timing chain guide, bolts, and RH timing chain. A counter-clockwise crankcase rotation of 60 degrees must be performed to establish the crankcase keyway at 11 o'clock mark as the LH camshafts should now rest in their neutral position. The installation process begins with removing the LH timing chain tensioner arm and progress to the LH timing chain and timing chain guide. Finally you can remove the damper bolt and crankshaft sprocket. Install components only when their alignment with timing drive components achieves correct placement to prevent serious engine damage. Position the crankshaft sprocket while its timing marks should be visible to the outside. Use a small pick to maintain the ratchet stem while holding the ratchet lock mechanism in a position separate from the ratchet stem after positioning the chain tensioner inside a soft-jawed vise. Use a 1.5 mm (0.05 inch) wire or paper clip to retain the tensioner piston while it is bottomed in its bore after compressing the tensioner by hand without letting go of the ratchet stem. The procedure requires marking the timing marks on LH and RH timing chains while identifying any link as the crankshaft timing mark and counting links 29 and 42. First ensure LH camshafts maintain correct positioning and then position the LH timing chain along with guide before you bolt and align timing mark indicators between chain and camshaft and crankshaft sprockets completing the install with 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) torque. Replace the LH timing chain tensioner components by installing the tensioner arm first followed by the tensioner then securing them with bolts at a torque of 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.). Tighten the crankshaft damper bolt while clockwise rotation of the crankshaft amounts to 120 degrees until the crankshaft keyway reaches the 3 o'clock position. Verify proper RH camshaft placement. Fasten the RH timing chain along with its chain guide using bolts then turn these bolts to 25 Nm torque specification (18 ft. lbs.). Use bolts which must reach 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) torque to secure the RH timing chain tensioner along with its tensioner arm in position. Check the timing by counting 12 chain links between the camshaft timing marks and 27 between the camshafts and crankshafts, also ensuring 30 links to exist between the camshafts and crankshafts after rotating the crankshaft counterclockwise 120 degrees to TDC when the retaining wires from the LH and RH timing chain tensioner pistons are removed. Engineers need to remove the crankshaft damper bolt before adding the ignition pulse wheel that features the keyway inside the "30" or "30RFF" (orange color indicated) slot. The procedure ends with the installation of LH and RH spark plugs that require a 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.) torque setting followed by engine front cover attachment.