Ford Contour Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
The average cost for a Ford Contour Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement is between $42 - $78. Get an instant quote with our AI repair estimator.
What is a timing chain tensioner?
A timing chain tensioner is a crucial component in your vehicle's engine that ensures proper tension is maintained on the timing chain. The timing chain serves to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, allowing the engine's valves to open and close at the correct intervals during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes. The tensioner, which can be spring-loaded or hydraulic, adjusts the chain to prevent it from becoming slack or too tight, both of which can lead to engine performance issues and potential damage. By keeping the chain taut, the tensioner ensures smooth and precise timing in engine operations, contributing to optimal vehicle performance.
Symptoms of a faulty timing chain tensioner
When a timing chain tensioner begins to fail, several noticeable symptoms may occur. One of the most common signs is an unusual rattling or ticking noise coming from the engine, which typically manifests during startup but can also persist while driving. This noise is often due to the chain becoming loose and slapping against surrounding engine components. Additionally, a defective tensioner can lead to poor engine performance, such as misfires, reduced power, and erratic idling, as the engine's timing may become inconsistent. In severe cases, a failed tensioner may cause the timing chain to skip teeth on the gears, potentially resulting in a no-start condition or even engine damage if the valves are struck by the pistons. It is crucial to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to the engine.
How urgent is timing chain tensioner replacement?
The urgency of replacing a timing chain tensioner is high, as neglecting this repair can lead to severe consequences for your engine. A failing tensioner can cause significant damage if the timing chain skips teeth or breaks completely. This could result in a loss of synchronization between the crankshaft and camshaft, leading to critical engine damage, such as bent valves or damaged pistons. If you notice symptoms such as engine noise or performance issues, it is vital to have the tensioner inspected and replaced as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs and to ensure your vehicle continues to operate safely and efficiently.
How much does timing chain tensioner replacement cost?
Timing chain tensioner replacement can be a moderately expensive repair, primarily due to labor costs, as it requires significant disassembly of the engine. On average, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 for this service, depending on the make and model of your vehicle and the complexity of the engine design. While the parts themselves are generally less costly, replacing the tensioner often requires hours of labor, which contributes to the total expense. It's advisable to consult a trusted mechanic to obtain a detailed quote that includes both parts and labor.
4 FAQs about timing chain tensioners
- How long does a timing chain tensioner typically last?
A timing chain tensioner is designed to last as long as the timing chain, often up to 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, it can fail earlier due to lack of maintenance or quality issues with the part. Regular oil changes can help prolong its lifespan by keeping the chain lubricated. - Is it possible to drive with a faulty timing chain tensioner?
While you may still be able to drive with a faulty tensioner, it's not recommended. Operating your vehicle under these conditions can lead to significant engine damage. It's best to have the issue diagnosed and repaired promptly. - Can a timing chain tensioner be adjusted?
Most modern timing chain tensioners are designed to automatically adjust the chain tension and are not manually adjustable. If the tensioner fails to maintain proper tension, it likely needs to be replaced rather than adjusted. - What other components should be checked when replacing a timing chain tensioner?
When replacing a timing chain tensioner, it's wise to inspect the entire timing chain system, including the chain itself, guides, and related gears. Replacing all worn components simultaneously can prevent future issues and ensure optimal engine function.
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2000 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $28.00Labor: $32.00{ "partPrice": 28, "laborPrice": 32, "alldata_id": 34517, "alldata_vehicle_id": 34517, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 2000, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI" }2000 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $44.00Labor: $21.00{ "partPrice": 44, "laborPrice": 21, "alldata_id": 34865, "alldata_vehicle_id": 34865, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 2000, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI" }1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $8.00Labor: $57.00{ "partPrice": 8, "laborPrice": 57, "alldata_id": 35167, "alldata_vehicle_id": 35167, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1999, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI" }1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $14.00Labor: $17.00{ "partPrice": 14, "laborPrice": 17, "alldata_id": 34868, "alldata_vehicle_id": 34868, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1999, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI" }1998 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $43.00Labor: $48.00{ "partPrice": 43, "laborPrice": 48, "alldata_id": 31759, "alldata_vehicle_id": 31759, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1998, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI" }1998 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $2.00Labor: $44.00{ "partPrice": 2, "laborPrice": 44, "alldata_id": 31760, "alldata_vehicle_id": 31760, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1998, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI" }1997 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $63.00Labor: $12.00{ "partPrice": 63, "laborPrice": 12, "alldata_id": 26162, "alldata_vehicle_id": 26162, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1997, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI" }1996 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $2.00Labor: $14.00{ "partPrice": 2, "laborPrice": 14, "alldata_id": 23262, "alldata_vehicle_id": 23262, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6DZ6L266BA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1996, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC" }1995 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC - Timing Chain Tensioner Costs
Parts: $35.00Labor: $49.00{ "partPrice": 35, "laborPrice": 49, "alldata_id": 20917, "alldata_vehicle_id": 20917, "title": "Timing Chain Tensioner", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Tensioner", "part": [ { "name": "20 - Timing Chain Tensioner", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "Contact Dealer for most current part and price information", "partnumber": "F5RZ6L266CA" } ] }, { "name": "Tensioner Arm", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Right", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] }, { "name": "Left", "part": [ { "name": "21 - Tensioner Arm", "price": "0.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "F6RZ6L253BA" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.2", "warrantytime": "4.5" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "7.5", "warrantytime": "4.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, "year": 1995, "make": "Ford", "model": "Contour", "engine": "V6-153 2.5L DOHC" }