Ford EA timing chain tensioner ??????????????? HELP

[Ext User(Lee)]

Any tips on re-engaging the tensioner on the 3.9 litre motor????????????
I disengaged the tension but now have spent an hour or so trying to put
tension back on with no success.
Im using a 3mm key with the plastic around it and pushing and turning
anticlockwise like it ssays in the manual.
Ive had others try it as well and same deal...
What the hell is the trick on getting it engaged again??????
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ext User(atec77)]

Lee wrote:
> Any tips on re-engaging the tensioner on the 3.9 litre motor????????????
> I disengaged the tension but now have spent an hour or so trying to put
> tension back on with no success.
> Im using a 3mm key with the plastic around it and pushing and turning
> anticlockwise like it ssays in the manual.
> Ive had others try it as well and same deal...
> What the hell is the trick on getting it engaged again??????
> HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
Various methods , I remove the whole thing , reset and reintroduce but
someone will explain the right way .

[Ext User(Lee)]

yes tried turning it both ways
Does the slot it fits in a 3mm allen head?
Why is the piece of plastic needed over the allen key?
I forgot to put plastic over it ....could i have fucked up something??
Its not easy to remove unless you remove waterpump which i put on a few days
ago and didnt really want to do it. Maybe i can make the special tool up

"Lee" <lee@allway.net.au> wrote in message news:1144576917.729472@teuthos...
> Any tips on re-engaging the tensioner on the 3.9 litre motor????????????
> I disengaged the tension but now have spent an hour or so trying to put
> tension back on with no success.
> Im using a 3mm key with the plastic around it and pushing and turning
> anticlockwise like it ssays in the manual.
> Ive had others try it as well and same deal...
> What the hell is the trick on getting it engaged again??????
> HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>

[Ext User(Jason James)]

"Lee" <lee@allway.net.au> wrote in message news:1144585072.740370@teuthos...
> yes tried turning it both ways
> Does the slot it fits in a 3mm allen head?
> Why is the piece of plastic needed over the allen key?
> I forgot to put plastic over it ....could i have fucked up something??
> Its not easy to remove unless you remove waterpump which i put on a few
days
> ago and didnt really want to do it. Maybe i can make the special tool up

From my effort with an EA a few mths ago:

That plastic tube ensures you depress the tesnioner spring cap while then
turning the cap to engage in the holdown bayonet fitting. Then once you have
finished installing the chain, you twist the allen-key in reverse while
exerting inwards tension (courtesy of the plastic-tube). This releases the
spring tensioner to do its job.

Must admit it looked wierd to me as I thought you'd release spring ternsion
during this allen key operation, not force it to near maximum before
releasing. FWIW, the chain-track was broken on the other side. Since it had
been that way for yonks and I was getting pissed off with this freeby,.I
just left it broken,..the engine didnt seem to mind,...cough cough!

Jason

[Ext User(Lee)]

thanks for help everyone
I visited a wrecker and checked one out
Mine was seized up and missing the part where the allen key engages
So there was never any tension on the chain
Got one for $10 which i just put in
Wish i had the tool to go in the 2 holes would make life easier
regards Lee
Some butcher was obviously working on it before

"Lee" <lee@allway.net.au> wrote in message news:1144576917.729472@teuthos...
> Any tips on re-engaging the tensioner on the 3.9 litre motor????????????
> I disengaged the tension but now have spent an hour or so trying to put
> tension back on with no success.
> Im using a 3mm key with the plastic around it and pushing and turning
> anticlockwise like it ssays in the manual.
> Ive had others try it as well and same deal...
> What the hell is the trick on getting it engaged again??????
> HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>

[Ext User(D Walford)]

Jason James wrote:
> "Lee" <lee@allway.net.au> wrote in message news:1144585072.740370@teuthos...
>
>>yes tried turning it both ways
>>Does the slot it fits in a 3mm allen head?
>>Why is the piece of plastic needed over the allen key?
>>I forgot to put plastic over it ....could i have fucked up something??
>>Its not easy to remove unless you remove waterpump which i put on a few
>
> days
>
>>ago and didnt really want to do it. Maybe i can make the special tool up
>
>
> From my effort with an EA a few mths ago:
>
> That plastic tube ensures you depress the tesnioner spring cap while then
> turning the cap to engage in the holdown bayonet fitting. Then once you have
> finished installing the chain, you twist the allen-key in reverse while
> exerting inwards tension (courtesy of the plastic-tube). This releases the
> spring tensioner to do its job.
>
> Must admit it looked wierd to me as I thought you'd release spring ternsion
> during this allen key operation, not force it to near maximum before
> releasing. FWIW, the chain-track was broken on the other side. Since it had
> been that way for yonks and I was getting pissed off with this freeby,.I
> just left it broken,..the engine didnt seem to mind,...cough cough!
>

Good idea not to bother, I've replaced one and I would only do one again
if it was 100% necessary.
To get the timing cover back on you need to drop the sump which is a
prick of a job in car, it would be easier to remove the engine.



Daryl


Daryl

[Ext User(D Walford)]

Lee wrote:
> yes tried turning it both ways
> Does the slot it fits in a 3mm allen head?

3mm is the correct size allen key.

> Why is the piece of plastic needed over the allen key?

Don't know I've never bothered with it, just used a plain allen key.

> I forgot to put plastic over it ....could i have fucked up something??

Don't think so.
You may have over tightened it, can you move it at all?

> Its not easy to remove unless you remove waterpump which i put on a few days
> ago and didnt really want to do it. Maybe i can make the special tool up

?? No need to remove the water pump to remove the tensioner, just undo
the retainer and it should pull straight out.
Top undo the retainer I use a couple of pins and screwdriver but it
would be easier and better to make a tool.


Daryl

[Ext User(Jason James)]

"D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:4439ea29$0$509$61c65585@uq-127creek-reader-03.brisbane.pipenetworks.com.au...
> Lee wrote:
> > yes tried turning it both ways
> > Does the slot it fits in a 3mm allen head?
>
> 3mm is the correct size allen key.
>
> > Why is the piece of plastic needed over the allen key?

The key without the plastic tube will just slip thru the whole tensioner
doing nothing except allwing you to turn the spring cap,..but with the
tube,.which has to be stout plastic, as you insert the key (handle in, not
the short bit) the tube fouls on the cap and presses it against the spring
thus compressing it and positionong it close to the bayonet bit,..not sure
what all this was supposed to do,..you could achieve the same thing just
screwing it out,..then screwing it back on assembly.

Jason


> Don't know I've never bothered with it, just used a plain allen key.
>
> > I forgot to put plastic over it ....could i have fucked up something??
>
> Don't think so.
> You may have over tightened it, can you move it at all?
>
> > Its not easy to remove unless you remove waterpump which i put on a few
days
> > ago and didnt really want to do it. Maybe i can make the special tool up
>
> ?? No need to remove the water pump to remove the tensioner, just undo
> the retainer and it should pull straight out.
> Top undo the retainer I use a couple of pins and screwdriver but it
> would be easier and better to make a tool.
>
>
> Daryl
>