TSB for GT500 / GT350 secondary timing chain tensioner [Service Guide attached]

[Chris2020GT500]

Just ran the car for a few minutes and it looks good now. Top picture from last night and the actuator shaft doesn’t show the two different segments with the groove. I took the bottom picture this morning after running the car for a few minutes and now I can see the two separate segments with the groove on the actuator shaft. I think I’m good now!

One thing I did that helped was trace the mirror up and down to allow a full look at the area. That way, you can see both cylinders activated.

From Ford's picture, it has a base, cylinder #1 and then an inner cylinder, which shows the groove when it is activated. If you take your mirror and scan that area, you'll get a chance to see everything.

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[Snoopy49]

Nice! Good to see yours is ok. While it is annoying, I am going to still have Ford perform the check so it's recorded just in case anything were to happen. Of course, being in N. Va means a 5 minute job will mean sitting at a dealership for hours....

They may not want to inspect the VIN because your VIN won't be in their system. If it does not show in their system, they won't get paid for the inspection.

A good dealer would check it anyway just to be on the safe side.

 

[Chris2020GT500]

Would it be too much to ask you guys to post "who built your motor"? Maybe we can narrow it down once we start getting more "activated" vs "non-activated"

Mine was Shane Grant
TBD on checking later today or tomorrow when borescope and mirror arrive from Amazon

Mine is OK and the builder is: Doyle F. Nanney

 

[Houston Kid]

Phil built mine.

 

[Snoopy49]

It is strange that only the RH secondary chain tensioner is mentioned in the bulletin. Have the engine problems only affected the passenger side? Both the RH and LH secondary chain tensioners are the same part number, which makes me think that the problem may also affect the LH secondary chain tensioner.

The secondary chain tensioner is also used on F150's. I wonder if they are having the same problems.

They have updated the part numbers.
Secondary Chain Tensioner - ML3Z-6K254-A
Guide/Shoe (Secondary) - ML3Z-6K297-A

 

[Epiphany]

Watch this gentleman install a secondary chain/gears and listen to what he says at the 17:44 mark...

 

[Snoopy49]

Watch this gentleman install a secondary chain/gears and listen to what he says at the 17:44 mark...

Thanks for posting the video.
I was wondering how the tensioner was installed and activated. The shop manual does not address this procedure. It looks like the tensioner is spring loaded and doesn't use oil pressure for its operation. This means that there is no misalignment with an oil hole in the block. My question is, why does this not affect the drivers side tensioner. Their is only one person doing the assembly.

 

[Snoopy49]

Can someone check and see if this problems also involves the 5.0L engines, Mustang and F150?
I am trying to find out if this is an installation problem or a part problem.

 

[Epiphany]

You really should just be able to see if there is tension on the chain and try to push the chain down above the tensioner and have it fight you and come right back up.

 

[Tyler2386]

Would it be too much to ask you guys to post "who built your motor"? Maybe we can narrow it down once we start getting more "activated" vs "non-activated"

Mine was Shane Grant
TBD on checking later today or tomorrow when borescope and mirror arrive from Amazon

My builder was Shane Grant also. Mine is activated.

 

[dps]

Watch this gentleman install a secondary chain/gears and listen to what he says at the 17:44 mark...

Agreed - seems like we could activate if necessary and wasn't previously activated.

 

[Chris2020GT500]

Agreed - seems like we could activate if necessary and wasn't previously activated.

True however, you would also want to make sure your engine has no damage. If it was not activated, Ford will carry out the steps to test/replace any components that may cause an issue.

 

[Weather756]

My builder was Shane Grant also. Mine is activated.

Mine was also built by Shane Grant. Seems to be activated. Ford still needs to confirm. 2020 GT350..

 

[Snoopy49]

I decided to start the engine and check the tensioner. The tensioner guide/shoe was definitely following the chain motion and moving up and down. If the tensioner was not working, there should not be any movement of the guide/shoe.

 

[kilobravo]

Earl: Did you remove the oil filler snout? Like you said earlier, I got partial movement and then hit a wall and didn't want to force it. But I see that some HAVE removed it based on the photos and it would certainly make using a dental mirror easier and more effective.

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