Taxi Driver Online

Really getting fed up now with my TXII timing chain/tensioner noise/stalling when I start up after just a couple of minutes switched off!!

Is there actually a decent chain/tensioner kit out there? And if so, where?

Also, having once been an apprentice served mechanic, I want to do the job myself so I'm just looking for the parts!


Thanks in advance, darth.

SCROLL DOWN TO MY LATEST... I SEEM TO HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER!!!

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

is it a duratorq engine?

I think all the 'enhanced kits' advertising line is a load of tosh.

All they do is replace the tensioner, the chain, the slides and the sprockets if needed.

Taxi Techs in East London do it for £350, or Hold Tight Vehicles in Dartford for around £460 with a service.

I have the thicker KPM 'enhanced' chain, and to be honest, it's no different to the standard chains and sprockets fitted by Ford in performance terms.

You can get the kit from here:

http://www.londontaxiparts.com/taxi-par ... ory_id=168

Thanks for the info. And yes it is the Duratorq. Out of interest though, GBC... You write that you think, as I probably do too, that 'enhanced' chain/kits are a load of tosh, but then add another post with a link for the a kit from LondonTaxiParts (whom I use a lot)!

So are you saying you think theirs (LTP) is better?

I already had the chain/tensioner etc. changed under warranty 18 months ago - with the (apparent) mk4 tensioner! It was better for a while, but now I'm reluctant to switch off the engine, other than when I get home. Even half an hour later I start up and am embarrassed by the noise/stalling!

(Cab now 4 years 5 months & 170,000 miles old.)


darth

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

The chain and tensioner that I had fitted last year was from KPM's. I've no idea if LTP use another brand or not.

Out of interest, there's several people selling the chain, slides and tensioners for around the £130 mark on E-Bay under 'Duratorq timing chain'

They're aimed at transit van owners, I have no idea if its the same set up in the Taxi Duratorq engine.

i think theres only 3 variants

2.0
2.2
2.4

all have been fitted in both vans and cars

the only sure bet would be a duplex chain but there isnt one, or a gear drive, but there isnt one...

Think I've found the answer!!!!!

From my research on other forums, it's looking like the answer is thus...

You are right, GBC, there are lots of timing chain kits on eBay for around £125. Looking deeper I found these same places do 'upgrade' kits for our TXIIs for the same £400 as londontaxiparts.com! Here is the reason why...

There are several 2.4ltr Duratorq engines but the 90 PS used in our beloved TXIIs (and the 75 PS in LDV vans - whose manual LTi use) use a smaller timing chain (and gears)! But by all accounts the bigger gears and chain go straight in! This would explain why there are places selling 'uprated' kits!

I'm still going to do some more homework before I take the plunge and pull it all apart. For those that are interested, I'll post my findings here. Watch this space...


darth

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

If the transits use the same engines, why dont they have the same problems

they have thier own....

the 4 cylinder 2.0 tdci went to 155ps i think, the 2.2 went higher, and could be remapped upto 185+ but thats little to do with the timing chains, they so a simple job

I think if you speak to any mechanic that works on these engines you will find.... that they all say... that it is the timing chain tension that is the problem.. which has been upgraded and still causes the problem..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I'm pretty sure you are right, Mr T. As an ex apprentice served mechanic myself, I know having the strongest chain in the world is gonna make no difference if the tensioner is not up to the job of holding the chain tight when the engine kicks back as it comes to rest when turned off!

And that seems to be the problem with these... I'm not aware of any issues with chains stretching and putting the timing out; or, heaven forbid, breaking! The problem seems to be that when the engine does that slight kick back (and the crank pulley turns backward slightly), the 'slack' side of the chain tightens and pushes/retracts the tensioner back into itself - even though there is a ratchet to prevent this - which obviously isn't working!

I'm going to hold on to my £400 whilst I, and my engineer friend, see if we can't modify the tensioner to not retract at that aforementioned point!

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

LATEST UPDATE!!!

I think I've cracked the problem with Ford's Duratorq engine rattling like a very large tin of very large nails when started from a few minutes rest...

I took the plunge and, after removing the front panels, radiator, intercooler, fuel filter, FEAD belt, water pump & vacuum pump, etc., etc., etc., removed the timing cover!

What I found underneath was a chain, cogs, guides and tensioner all in perfect condition! What I also found was (as suspected) the tensioner fails to hold the chain taught when the engine is switched off - and kicks back slightly!

I removed the tensioner and stripped it apart. (Not difficult as long as you're careful.) Then added a piece of machined aluminium pipe/tube the same diameter as the base of the spring in the piston that holds the tensioner guide against the chain when the oil pressure is up.

Doing this meant the piston could no longer retract into the tensioner housing when pushed in by the 'slack' side of the chain being made taught by the engine 'kick back'!

I also, when fitted back into the engine, made sure the 'Lock Plate' was against the rear of the tensioner guide. This 'Lock Plate' (basically a steel rod with teeth/ratchet locked in one direction by a 'pawl') is what is supposed to stop the chain from going slack! It may well just be the case that I didn't need to do the modification, but just to make sure this 'Lock Plate' was extended and against the back of the tensioner guide! But just in case, I did both!

This could well explain why there are some TXIIs that are several years old and yet don't give any 'rattle' ever... Their lock plate, unlike mine and others on here, is against the back of the tensioner guide and therefore doesn't let the chain go slack!

I shall, if anyone here would like, put the pictures I took whilst doing the job, online somewhere to see.


darth x

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

P.S. Forgot to add...

Since I made these alterations last Wednesday (today being the following Monday) I've worked a long weekend and switched off the engine at every available moment! (Previously, I left the engine running for fear of the dreaded 'rattle', even if sat on the rank for 20-30 minutes!)

I also took a trip up the motorway cruising at 85 to test it!

The engine not only sounds 'tighter', but is as quiet as a Transit engine can be, and even rattles less when started first thing in the morning!

If in due course the engine goes POP, I shall of course let you know!

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The Kilt wearing cabbie from Bath...
Who is most definitely a MAC!!!

Surely you must have neded a new cover as the old one is bent whilst releasing it from the sealent that goes around it?