Intermittent clacking

[SHOvit]

'95 ATX 108k
I've done a ton of searching but now I need to ask for some help. Using the screwdriver to the ear method I found the area that my noise is coming from. Looking at the engine standing in front of the car; immediately to the left of where the plug wires come out from under a cover (the coil?) there's a rounded surface, that's where the source of my noise is coming from. I apologize for the crappy explanation; this noise isn't constant, just here and there. I've heard rod knocks before, but this is more of a clacking noise than a knock. Any ideas??? shrug Thanks...

 

[AutoSHO]

The noise you are hearing is that of a failed Camshaft chain tensioner. Unfortunately these are pretty hard to come by. They are discontinued from Ford, and very rare aftermarket.

Try talking to Fred Hurder ( http://www.neshospecialists.com/ ), as he had a set for sale a while ago.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Under that surface is the cam chain for the front bank. The Intake cam drives the exhaust cam via the chain:

Your tensioner is probably shot frown

 

[SHOvit]

WOW, thanks for the quick replies. thumb Am I taking a huge chance in driving this thing around?, it's my daily ride. Also, if I were to find a tensioner will I need to pull the engine to get it changed out?

 

[AutoSHO]

You are not going to hurt anything driving the car. You will want to replace the Chain when the tensioner is done, so you are not risking much, if anything. The tensioner can be changed with the motor in the car, it is pretty easily accessed. Finding one is the hardest part. Last I heard the chains are still available from Ford.

 

[SHOvit]

Chris, thanks again for the quick reply. All of a sudden this thing started making noise and scared the crap out of me. I guess I'll be on the hunt for a tensioner now! Here's hoping this thing stays together until I find one...

 

[revhardSHO]

Ive got one for you

 

[JoesSHO]

Hey SHOvit-

I've got the same problem, sounds like a mild "tapping" coming from the cover. Scared the crap out of me, too.

Where are you in MI- I'm in Grand Rapids, maybe we could hear the tapping chains in stereo?

 

[SHOvit]

Hey JoesSHO,
I'm over here in Grass Lake, stereo timing chains, sounds interesting!!! Mine isn't noticable all the time, but none the less it's still there enough to **** me off.

 

[JoesSHO]

Actually, I used them to my advantage- talked down the price becasue of the "knocking engine..."

Call me unethical, but it's a SHO- it'll get me back somehow...

J