Timing chain Tensoners.

[watchdog]

I have a question about the timing chain tensoners (sp?).

I have heard that when they get weak you will hear a sewing machine sound from the engine. My 03 CVPI has started making a similar sound under light acceration. It won't do it at idle or under hard acceration, just light pedal at road speed. I thought the valves were making noise, but now I think it may be the timing chain.

How do I check this and how easy is the fix? I have never had a 4.6 apart before.

Edit to add the car just turned over 165000 miles.

[watchdog]

Anybody? Anybody at all? Bueller...bueller...

[johnunit]

Double check with someone who is a bit more knowledgable, but I believe that they changed the tensioner material in 02 or 03 so that you shouldn't have that problem. What you are hearing could be a bunch of things, loud injector, exhaust leak, valvetrain noise, etc., but I THINK that the tensioner is not an issue on your year.

Double check though, because I've personally seen those things last less than 2 hours running time from "that's a weird noise" to zero oil pressure.