Timing chain tensioner

[tobes50]

I have the valve covers off the taurus, and I noticed that the front bank of cylinders has the automatic tensioner, but the rear bank has a different type of setup with no tensioner. I'm wondering if this is correct, or if someone replaced the back one at one time.

There seems to be quite a bit of slack in the chain on the back bank of cylinders. The area under the valve covers also seem to be quite a bit more dirty that the fronts. It has a red color to it compared to the front which looks very clean.

Any help would be much appreciated,
Toby

 

[sdpatt]

The tensioner on the rear bank is on the bottom span of the chain. You just can't see it. The crankcase vapors are evacuated from the front valve cover by the PCV hose to the throttle body where the rear cover gets to stew with them for a while. What oil are you using that gives a reddish tint to the aluminum?

 

[projectSHO89]

The LH bank's tensioner pushed up, the RH bank's is mounted so that it pushes downward.

If there is no tension (at all) on the RH bank's chain, the tensioner is worn out or otherwise defective.

The difference in color between the front and rear cylinder heads has been noted before. It has not raised a concern. I suspect that it is due to a difference in the ventilation between the front and rear covers. According to the Helms, the LH head gets the flow of fresh air while the RH head gets none. The availability of fresh air probably keeps the deposits down in the front bank. The crankcase gases are then run through the oil separator and back through the outlet hose to the port on the bottom of the throttle body

Steve

<small>[ December 11, 2002, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[tobes50]

Thanks for the replies! That clears that up.

I've been using 10w30 valvoline.

Thanks again,
toby