Blk003GT

Took the timing cover off to swap timing covers on a town car motor i just got from and auto salvage place and i noticed that the left timing chain is really lose. Its tight against the tensioner but has about an inch or so of slack against the guide. It looks like the timing adjuster isnt pushing against the metal guide. When i push up on the metal guide it takes the slack out of the chain and when i push on the adjuster it dosent spring up to put any tension on the chain.

So does this mean that i just have to put a new tensioner on it(it obviously seems like thats the problem) or is it a bigger issue (like it could have jumped timing; although the heads look to b in great shape inside.). I have a 90day warentee on the motor but if its just a tensioner i dont wanna have to deal with trying to have them warentee it... the motor has 87,000 miles on it

jpplaw

Doesn't the adjuster work off of oil pressure?

madjimmax

Yes oil pressure does tighten them, but for the little that they cost it might not be a bad idea to swap them out while your in there. All it takes is for your chain to jump one or two teeth and you'll be replacing the valves and maybe the pistons.

JC316

It's supposed to be like that. I went through this back in 09, I wound up replacing everything just to have the same amount of slack. Crank it over and wait for oil pressure to build up, it will tighten up.

Seabee1993

Wouldn't your warranty be voided if you pulled the engine? Just sayin', I wouldn't go around telling them you took it out of the car and give them an excuse to screw you!

Blk003GT

"Just sayin'"go reread the OP it clearly states that i bought a lincoln town car motor from a junkyard never once said it was in a vehicle

72MachOne99GT

I was surprised by the amount of slack on mine as well. Perfectly normal.

sn95_331_GT_ yellow

same thing with mine, if you wanna replace everything just for piece of mind, make sure you get the OEM adjusters, not the aftermarket plastic ones, MHS sells them under the parts section

Seabee1993

My bad! Overlooked that part.