David Mueller
New Member
After lots of discussion and listening through a scope I determined the problem was the timing belt tensioner was not properly doing its job. It was causing a loud rattle from the pulley side at 1500 rpms. Taking the upper timing belt cover off revealed the problem. The belt was flapping around like mad. So, in search of parts I went. Not so fun I must tell you, called everybody I knew (Mike-Midwest, ShoShop, ShoNutPerformance, and other of the like) nobody could get an ATX tensioner. So I looked on Ford Parts Network, they didn't have the part...ah but I sent them an e-mail telling them what part I needed and we exchanged diagrams and I circled the part that I needed. They searched and found that they could get it: 129.99 plus shipping...part number F3DZ6L266A.
Good news, part came in, and quickly. So after pulling all the covers off and the pulleys and all that fun stuff, I replaced the tensioner and buttoned everything back together, got the crank bolt tightened down to 126 ft-lb and put the wheel back on and lowered the car. At this point I prayed a little and started the car. Yes, it worked, the car ran, and even more important there is no more ticking/rattle.
Just thought I would pass the information on to those others that were in the same boat. One thing of importance, unless you already need to do a front end 60K or need a new timing belt, it is not necessary to align the timing belt up to TDC because it won't be removed or move during this procedure. Another thing, took me about 3.5-4 hours to do working patiently including cleaning up all the tools.
Best of luck to any others.
Good news, part came in, and quickly. So after pulling all the covers off and the pulleys and all that fun stuff, I replaced the tensioner and buttoned everything back together, got the crank bolt tightened down to 126 ft-lb and put the wheel back on and lowered the car. At this point I prayed a little and started the car. Yes, it worked, the car ran, and even more important there is no more ticking/rattle.
Just thought I would pass the information on to those others that were in the same boat. One thing of importance, unless you already need to do a front end 60K or need a new timing belt, it is not necessary to align the timing belt up to TDC because it won't be removed or move during this procedure. Another thing, took me about 3.5-4 hours to do working patiently including cleaning up all the tools.
Best of luck to any others.
