Hello everyone,
I have a 2003 F150 6 cyclinder with 108,000 miles. I get confused talking to different mechanics when I ask them if and/or when should the timing chain should be changed out. I hear "let it be" and don't change it out until it is broke and I hear it should be changed out after 100,000 miles. Any opinions or suggestions? Truck runs great. Just had a 100,000 tune-up about 3,000 miles ago. Thanks for any information.

 

Timing chains on OHV engines are not like timing belts on OHC's - there's no need for routine changes.

 

Read the Maintenance Guide. It tells how often to change everything. Anything that's not mentioned should be left alone.

 

The only way to get any idea of the chain condition without taking things apart is how much the crank will move before the distributor moves, trying it in both directions.
For example if the crank will move a half inch, as referenced to a mark on the front damper, before the dist. moves, you got a very worn/streched chain and gears.
A worn chain/gear assembly will retard the cam while running and make the motor lose some lower rpm power and possibly make ignition timing jerk around.

 

Yes, but his engine does not have a distributor. It has a coil pack.

 

Did Ford ever get rid of that POS cam sensor (fake distributor) on the V6?