Timing belt, tensioner and water pump (6G74 3.5 / 6G75 3.8)

Symptoms

The fix, step by step

1. Following an Expedition Portal write-up: drain the coolant, remove the fan and shroud (the radiator can stay in if you protect it), then the accessory belts, accessories and main bracket.
2. Hold the crank pulley and remove it, then the timing covers.
3. Refit the crank bolt with spacers so you can turn the engine, and set TDC on the cam and crank marks.
4. Remove the old tensioner and pulley, fit the new belt keeping the driver's side tight (large binder clips hold it on the cam gears), and fit the new tensioner without pulling its pin.
5. Lever the pulley into the belt until the pin slides freely, torque the pulley bolt, rotate the crank two turns, wait five minutes and check the tensioner piston protrusion against the service manual.
6. Replace the water pump, front seals and crank bolt while you're there, and the O-ring on the pipe behind the water pump, which owners say is often missed.
7. One owner gives the crank-pulley bolt torque as 130 lb-ft; confirm it in the manual.

Tools & part numbers

• Crank-pulley holding tool (owners make one from flat steel)
• large binder clips
• torque wrench
• non-marring pry bar
• service manual
• coolant.

Where to buy the parts

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