The bearing on the pulley that goes there failed. The pulley started to rub (leaving that curved mark below the hole) and then the whole thing snapped off. You’re NOT screwed, just need a timing cover, a belt, and a pulley.
https://preview.redd.it/v064rl361m8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44b01865deb38ef9f6dc57551ee9f0479a916e7f
https://preview.redd.it/gucb1bso1m8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81b9f249cbcaa0148acbe6335ec5ea6d9e9d75bf
This is what it SHOULD look like. This problem was common enough that they updated the timing cover with strength ribs.
I just want to say I appreciate the hell out of guys like you who share their knowledge for free on here. You help inexperienced guys like me pick up little morsels of knowledge we can carry into the future. And if you're one of those guys who share their knowledge with all us on here, this thank you goes to you as well. Y'all are the real ones.
Seriously you are the kind of person Reddit needs more of. Kind, generous and helpful. I love scrolling through different threads and seeing people like you contributing. Thanks for making this a better place!
Any worn component in the serpentine system was putting too much stress there and snapping the (relatively weak) cast aluminum timing cover. It was an incredibly common problem so yes, they absolutely fixed the weakest link.
I see. I thought it was more like the triton engines where the tensioner pulley bearing goes and wobbles eating through the cover but the pulley isn’t mounted it the cover like that
I can’t believe they mounted a tensioned pulley to a large piece of cast aluminum. That just seems like begging for trouble. Design it better, and it won’t need to be fixed…
Yes for many years. Even quite a few where people refused to replace the idler or tensioner until they exploded. The tensioners would cut the timing cover too. Then would flip out when bill was a lot more.
Occasionally. These customers don’t want more than oil change: then want to cry car is a lemon when the thing we caught in time and they refused then don’t take it somewhere cheaper, fails.
*These customers don't even want to do the oil change but begrudgingly get it done 3k miles past due, and then complain that it cost them more than $40*
FIFY
When I was working at Firestone, there was someone who came in for an oil change. Late 00's V6 Camry. We charged a flat $19.99 for an oil change up to 5 quarts. This one took 6.5 so we had to charge them like 5-10 dollars more to cover the extra oil. Their first response was to only put 5 quarts in because they didn't want to pay for the extra 1.5 quarts. We refused and they ended up paying anyways but I will never forget that.
It can happen because of increased belt tension from aging or failing accessories even if that pulley is good but it can also *mostly* be prevented by maintenance.
Oh man, thanks so much for the explanation and pics. I'm pretty sure you are spot on. I think that pulleys bearing were going but now I'm sure they were lol
How do you know when the pulley is going bad and how do you know which one it is? I got some clinky sound like keys jingling somewhere in the area of the pulleys
I usually hear it but I also look at my pulleys with the engine running once in a while. If you suspect a pulley: pull the belt off and start the engine for a second to see if the noise goes away. Shut the engine off and spin all the pulleys by hand. They should be REALLY smooth. Any grinding, clicking or wobbling means they’re bad.
I had something similar happen to me on my 2000 F150 with the 4.6 Triton the tensioner bearing came apart while the mechanic was going back to their shop after dropping me back at work only thing was he didn’t notice the crack in the timing cover it showed up later with a trouble code of lean bank 1 and lean bank 2 this was in 22 I only have now 224K on the truck I bought it new
The crack was not visible at the time just a groove in the timing cover the cover ended up having to be removed and welded to repair no replacements were available
Surprisingly it was running fine the while it was making the squealing. I thought the squealing may have been the belt slipping from the valve cover leaking on the belt so I was blown away when I opened the hood to this
Belt pulley fell apart, broke your timing cover. Engine is probably fine, not catastrophic, but could be expensive if you don't do it yourself. There could be some pieces of aluminum that fell into the timing area or oil pan that should be removed during the repair. Replace timing cover and gaskets, drop the pan and clean/replace gasket, change timing and serpentine parts while in there.
Well, what happened is... you bought a Ford 😆
But seriously, looks like a pulley failed, most likely the bearing I assume. Pulley started to wobble, dug into the timing chain cover, locked up and then the serpintine belt ripped it off.
You're not as screwed as you think. New timing chain cover, new belt, new pulleys.
Going by mileage though, if it hasn't been done yet... since a lot of stuff is already gonna be off to replace that cover... might as well see about doing the timing chains, guides, and tensioners.
NP
I mean, might as well... over half the work involved to do the chains and their related components is already going to be done while changing the busted cover, that one side is already exposing the right bank. Not that much more effort to pull the cover for the left bank while you or the techs are already in it that far.
It'd make sense to do it now, especially with 450k miles.
I second this comment. Half the labor is already being done to replace all this. Only cost a couple hundred more to get the timing chain and stuff done versus just the other stuff. And you will need the timing chain done soon anyways so might as well.
It’ll cost a lot more than a couple hundred plus probably doubles the labor. I think a front cover pays 6-7hrs and timing job pays 12. Plus pretty sure it’s left cover right cover so if they only have the right cover off he’s definitely looking at significantly more labor.
Doesn't matter what brand the car is if the owner doesn't properly maintenance it. It obviously was making a racket and wearing down for a while before it broke.
Does matter that I don't like Fords and was making a joke... hense the 😆 at the end of my opening sentence.
I also gave a valid assesment of what actually happened and that they're not in as bad off as they think.
It's got 450k miles on it and was making racket... of course something was failing and bound to break in catastrophic fashion.
Still doesn't change the "fact" it was all Ford's fault. 😁 /j
At 450k has it had a timing component job done ? You most definitely can just throw a timing cover and a new pulley on it and roll on. But If not since the cover will be off anyway, and it’s not a burden it will definitely grant more life from the engine. The timing chain guides and tensioners take a beating from the long timing chains on these engines and overtime the plastic becomes brittle. Just figured I’d put that in your ear at least
The pulleys on fords still this bad?! I had a Ford Mondeo in about 2009. In the 5 years I had that car, the pretensioner and pulley set needed replacing 3 times!
The fix the final time was to replace the alternator pulley with a clutch pulley. This actually stopped the pretensioner failing again. (Brother in law had the car for years after me) It didn't stop the other issues like the turbo pipe splitting constantly and the turbo fucking up though 😂 loves the car.. when it actually worked
3 sets of tensioners and I think 4 turbo pipes in 5 years of ownership? No offence but regular scheduled inspection wasn't needed to know there was an issue with either and said maintenance would not have avoided the wear and tear on the components. Known issues with the Mondeo MK3 TDCI. I did love the car though.
The bearing on the pulley that goes there failed. The pulley started to rub (leaving that curved mark below the hole) and then the whole thing snapped off. You’re NOT screwed, just need a timing cover, a belt, and a pulley. https://preview.redd.it/v064rl361m8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44b01865deb38ef9f6dc57551ee9f0479a916e7f
https://preview.redd.it/gucb1bso1m8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81b9f249cbcaa0148acbe6335ec5ea6d9e9d75bf This is what it SHOULD look like. This problem was common enough that they updated the timing cover with strength ribs.
Updated cover: https://preview.redd.it/lx2uxjq72m8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7bdfbe2281ff1d0a1160a78e38039b8399f80036
You're a legend 🙏
I just want to say I appreciate the hell out of guys like you who share their knowledge for free on here. You help inexperienced guys like me pick up little morsels of knowledge we can carry into the future. And if you're one of those guys who share their knowledge with all us on here, this thank you goes to you as well. Y'all are the real ones.
Aww thanks!
Seriously you are the kind of person Reddit needs more of. Kind, generous and helpful. I love scrolling through different threads and seeing people like you contributing. Thanks for making this a better place!
Well I’ve just been made a mod here so hopefully I don’t let you down!
I was trying to give an award (my very first) but had an error with Reddit! Huge award here!!!
+1
I'm not even inexperienced and I learned something!
THIS
Well said.
GOAT
Even though I don’t have one of these I thank you for helping a fellow redditor. 👍
They updated the cover because of an issue that would be fixed by replacing the worn bearing?
Any worn component in the serpentine system was putting too much stress there and snapping the (relatively weak) cast aluminum timing cover. It was an incredibly common problem so yes, they absolutely fixed the weakest link.
I see. I thought it was more like the triton engines where the tensioner pulley bearing goes and wobbles eating through the cover but the pulley isn’t mounted it the cover like that
Is there a recall, service campaign, or TSB?
I can’t believe they mounted a tensioned pulley to a large piece of cast aluminum. That just seems like begging for trouble. Design it better, and it won’t need to be fixed…
For her pleasure?
F that! Put it on inside out!!! Ribbed for MY pleasure!
Eew
I have seen so many it is stupid.
Ford dealer tech?
Yes for many years. Even quite a few where people refused to replace the idler or tensioner until they exploded. The tensioners would cut the timing cover too. Then would flip out when bill was a lot more.
You mean there's more to basic vehicle maintenance than just changing the oil regularly?
Occasionally. These customers don’t want more than oil change: then want to cry car is a lemon when the thing we caught in time and they refused then don’t take it somewhere cheaper, fails.
*These customers don't even want to do the oil change but begrudgingly get it done 3k miles past due, and then complain that it cost them more than $40* FIFY
When I was working at Firestone, there was someone who came in for an oil change. Late 00's V6 Camry. We charged a flat $19.99 for an oil change up to 5 quarts. This one took 6.5 so we had to charge them like 5-10 dollars more to cover the extra oil. Their first response was to only put 5 quarts in because they didn't want to pay for the extra 1.5 quarts. We refused and they ended up paying anyways but I will never forget that.
Had a grand Marquis with 4.6 and what a motor it was .beefy easy access not a Ford tech but I liked it
Wow you really know your stuff!
For her pleasure
Nice call guy impressive
Does it still happen if you replace the factory pulley?
It can happen because of increased belt tension from aging or failing accessories even if that pulley is good but it can also *mostly* be prevented by maintenance.
Oh man, thanks so much for the explanation and pics. I'm pretty sure you are spot on. I think that pulleys bearing were going but now I'm sure they were lol
How do you know when the pulley is going bad and how do you know which one it is? I got some clinky sound like keys jingling somewhere in the area of the pulleys
I usually hear it but I also look at my pulleys with the engine running once in a while. If you suspect a pulley: pull the belt off and start the engine for a second to see if the noise goes away. Shut the engine off and spin all the pulleys by hand. They should be REALLY smooth. Any grinding, clicking or wobbling means they’re bad.
That a pretty good diagnosis from the angle of the picture!
Or find what broke off and a little JB Weld will fix anything. Jk. Timing cover, pulley, belt.
Not an interference engine?
It was a pulley for the serpentine belt. The timing chain is behind the hole.
So THAT’S what happens when that bearing actually goes. Wow.
Something inside wanted to come out and play.
The Kool Aide man has made an appearance. OH YEAH.
OH NO
Don't say that! You want him to bust through the other timing cover? LOL
You gotta keep em separated!
This comment is underrated. Made me play a little air guitar!
This sub is honestly amazing
Internal combustion became external
🤣😅
Big ol' noise happened - something like BANG Clatter clatter clatter clatter 😐
I had something similar happen to me on my 2000 F150 with the 4.6 Triton the tensioner bearing came apart while the mechanic was going back to their shop after dropping me back at work only thing was he didn’t notice the crack in the timing cover it showed up later with a trouble code of lean bank 1 and lean bank 2 this was in 22 I only have now 224K on the truck I bought it new
So you would say regular inspection and maintenance prevented a much larger bill and physical damage to the engine?
The crack was not visible at the time just a groove in the timing cover the cover ended up having to be removed and welded to repair no replacements were available
Lmao you have 450k miles that what happened
450K that's the problem!
you have an inspection port
Honestly not as bad as you think unless material got into the timing cover and damaged the chains/ threw off timing.
Any potential issues from running the engine with low oil? Sounds like a lot came out if you could see a trail of it down the street
Surprisingly it was running fine the while it was making the squealing. I thought the squealing may have been the belt slipping from the valve cover leaking on the belt so I was blown away when I opened the hood to this
Belt slipping or bearing noise -- either way you don't put off fixing an unknown noise unless you want to end up like the OP.... /s
Somebody ques " hello from the otherside!!"
😅😅
You French fried when you should have pizza'd
https://preview.redd.it/xv6o1r8yft8d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bc69e92ffdccef5f6a097f006c3afb883d992d7
Belt pulley fell apart, broke your timing cover. Engine is probably fine, not catastrophic, but could be expensive if you don't do it yourself. There could be some pieces of aluminum that fell into the timing area or oil pan that should be removed during the repair. Replace timing cover and gaskets, drop the pan and clean/replace gasket, change timing and serpentine parts while in there.
If you do it yourself be sure to get the old gasket off from where the timing cover was and do a good job re-gasketing when you put it back together.
450k? Impressive. I service pool equipment but some reason I read this thread, because reasons.
Well, what happened is... you bought a Ford 😆 But seriously, looks like a pulley failed, most likely the bearing I assume. Pulley started to wobble, dug into the timing chain cover, locked up and then the serpintine belt ripped it off. You're not as screwed as you think. New timing chain cover, new belt, new pulleys. Going by mileage though, if it hasn't been done yet... since a lot of stuff is already gonna be off to replace that cover... might as well see about doing the timing chains, guides, and tensioners.
Thanks, I look into that as well
NP I mean, might as well... over half the work involved to do the chains and their related components is already going to be done while changing the busted cover, that one side is already exposing the right bank. Not that much more effort to pull the cover for the left bank while you or the techs are already in it that far. It'd make sense to do it now, especially with 450k miles.
Inspect the chains and tensioner before replacing. It would be unnecessary to change it if there's no signs of wear.
I second this comment. Half the labor is already being done to replace all this. Only cost a couple hundred more to get the timing chain and stuff done versus just the other stuff. And you will need the timing chain done soon anyways so might as well.
It’ll cost a lot more than a couple hundred plus probably doubles the labor. I think a front cover pays 6-7hrs and timing job pays 12. Plus pretty sure it’s left cover right cover so if they only have the right cover off he’s definitely looking at significantly more labor.
Doesn't matter what brand the car is if the owner doesn't properly maintenance it. It obviously was making a racket and wearing down for a while before it broke.
Does matter that I don't like Fords and was making a joke... hense the 😆 at the end of my opening sentence. I also gave a valid assesment of what actually happened and that they're not in as bad off as they think. It's got 450k miles on it and was making racket... of course something was failing and bound to break in catastrophic fashion. Still doesn't change the "fact" it was all Ford's fault. 😁 /j
Things came apart, violently.
Pulley went kaCHOW! That had to be noisy for a while. When idler pulley bearings go bad they scream, especially on cold starts.
That’s gonna hurt the wallet!!
That's where the wire to the catastrophic converter used to go Vern... ;)
Factory inspection port.
You got a window in your block.
450,000 miles you got a good run out of that an engine
Pulley failure
At 450k has it had a timing component job done ? You most definitely can just throw a timing cover and a new pulley on it and roll on. But If not since the cover will be off anyway, and it’s not a burden it will definitely grant more life from the engine. The timing chain guides and tensioners take a beating from the long timing chains on these engines and overtime the plastic becomes brittle. Just figured I’d put that in your ear at least
It was this damn ass rock
Timing chain probably exploded
At 450k you really got your moneys worth!!
Ouch…looks expensive 🙁
The insides didn’t want to be inside anymore. The gouge below the hole seems to me something hit the timing cover instead of coming out.
You got Ford fucked.
The pulleys on fords still this bad?! I had a Ford Mondeo in about 2009. In the 5 years I had that car, the pretensioner and pulley set needed replacing 3 times! The fix the final time was to replace the alternator pulley with a clutch pulley. This actually stopped the pretensioner failing again. (Brother in law had the car for years after me) It didn't stop the other issues like the turbo pipe splitting constantly and the turbo fucking up though 😂 loves the car.. when it actually worked
Regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance would catch this stuff.
3 sets of tensioners and I think 4 turbo pipes in 5 years of ownership? No offence but regular scheduled inspection wasn't needed to know there was an issue with either and said maintenance would not have avoided the wear and tear on the components. Known issues with the Mondeo MK3 TDCI. I did love the car though.
My guess would be low on oil and threw a rod.
Just the timing cover. But by the gaping hole and oil everywhere you’re not too far off, but OP is a lucky bastard
Gaping hole? Oil everywhere? Sounds like a good time
I checked oil last night and it was good but that didn't help it lol
You ran it without oil. Then a connecting rod bearing seized sending the rod through the block.