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This was a real 8itc4. I ended up putting the original back in because no matter what I did, the one I got from the dealer would turn wonky after about 3 threads. Looking at the end of it, it appears its running into something too. It's only .5 mm larger in circumference.
Looks nasty
A candidate for welding a nut to it with a mig welder
Stick a soaking wet old cloth rag in the hole first
Another couple of wet rags placed around the site
You're probably half done by now, what did you do?
I ran the tap through it twice, and it cleaned up pretty good. The threads at the bottom are still in great shape. Its the first three that are effed. I thought about coming up with something to weld, etc. - but then the tensioner wouldn't reach.
The original that I took out threaded right in. No problem. I really think the one I bought from the dealer is wonky.
Its back together... fired right up. I had to reuse the intake gaskets because the gaskets I bought were wrong.
EDIT: I also was able to torque it to 50 foot pounds. I also used grease on the tap to collect all of the shavings, etc. It worked very well.
If you are very familiar with the 4.0 SOHC, Ford added this thing (below) in the later version of the motor - and it was to help charge that tensioner with oil faster on startup. The 2000, which this is, did not get it from the factory. However, this one does. So someone has done this already. This also explains why the little screw had the torx head stripped when I got into it. You'll see there is a new one going into the head right next to that hole for the tensioner.
Last edited by white89gt; Jul 9, 2025 at 10:37 PM.
When I was there, they just had tensioner recalls where we replaced about every tensioner on every sock motor out there
Glad it's you working on that one and not me
So, that little plastic piece goes in before the tensioner to take up space in the oil galley?
No, did not know of that little piece
Pretty familiar with the 4.0 sock though
My motor man days are over unless it's a big block chev or a Boss 302
Do still fight Mercedes a bunch and get a kick out of the new automatic electronic parking brakes
Got a few tricks on those already where I do not have to play with the buttons or a scan tool to retract the pistons
It actually goes in under this little plug. I bought the kit so I could do the update... but when it wouldn't go in, I shined a light down in there, and found it already had one.
I think idea behind it is that it alters the oil flow so it comes thru the hole faster (where the tensioner screws in) on startup.
Timing Chain Tensioner: All Technical Service Bulletins
Engine - Knocking Noise From Left Side at Start Up
Article No.
99-26-5
12/27/99
^
ENGINE - 4.0L SOHC - "KNOCKING" HEARD FROM
LEFT HAND SIDE OF ENGINE AT START UP
^
NOISE - "KNOCKING" HEARD FROM LEFT HAND
SIDE OF ENGINE AT START UP - VEHICLES WITH
4.0L SOHC
FORD:
1997-2000 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER
ISSUE
A "knocking" noise at start up for up to 2 minutes from the left hand front chain cassette area may occur on some vehicles. After engine shutdown, the
tensioner oil supply gallery empties. The noise may be due to air entering the left hand tensioner when the engine is restarted.
ACTION
Replace the left hand camshaft tensioner with a revised Tensioner Kit. Refer to the Instruction Sheet within the Tensioner Kit for service procedure
details.
WARNING
THE XU2Z-6K254-AA TENSIONER KIT IS FOR INSTALLATION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ONLY. INSTALLATION OF THIS
KIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE MAY RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. IF A TENSIONER IS NEEDED FOR THE RIGHT SIDE
OF THE ENGINE, USE KIT XU3Z-6K254-BA.
PART NUMBER
PART NAME
XU2Z-6K254-AA
Tensioner Kit - Left Side
XU3Z-6K254-BA
Tensioner Kit - Right Side
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION
DESCRIPTION
TIME
992605A
Install Camshaft Tensioner
1.6 Hrs.
Kit
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO.
CODE
6K254
42
OASIS CODES: 497000, 702100
Last edited by white89gt; Jul 10, 2025 at 09:42 AM.
Well, my Friday just got better! I ordered a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ from Amazon. The second pic in the series advertises: "Get a free book cover with purchase," and when I got it today, no cover. I called hoping to get a ~$20 credit or something to offset my cost of buying one. The CS rep "looked at the options," and said they could issue a refund and require no return of the tablet (!!!). "Would that be acceptable?"
Ummmmm.....
I asked to verify a couple of times to make sure. He couldn't believe it, either. Cool score.
LOL... I had the same thing happen when I ordered a Milwaukee battery and charger kit. It had a bag in the pics, and the description. Amazon refunded my money in full and said "you can throw it away, or do whatever you'd like with the battery and charger".
