2012 Escape 3.0 L

My granddaughter has a 2012 Escape, (**3.0l** - nope is really a 2.5L I4 Duratec engine. See below),  4x4.  Has 183K miles.  She has put about 100K on it since the tribe recommended it when I asked.  Since she has had no issues with it, this is win, I think.

She tells me she has been 'warming it up' in the morning lately, since it seems loud (rattley) to her.  She lives in Southern Oregon and it has been down into the high 20s lately, which may be contributing.  She just had an oil change a couple of weeks ago with the recommended weight oil.

Given the mileage, I'm thinking that it sounds like the timing chain, guides, and tensioner might be the fix.  Does that sound right? Could it be something else?  Some kind of snake oil that might help?

I have never worked on a 2.5L I4 Duratec engine.  How much of a job is this?  Special tools required?

Thanks

UPDATE: Haven't looked at her truck in 7 or 8 years - she told me V6.  OOPS.  Had her send the VIN.  It's a 2.5L I4 Duratec engine.  Same questions otherwise

I have the 4-cylinder version of the Escape. Well aware they're not similar engines.. but, in for the rattle sound. I have rattle issues too but haven't been able to pinpoint the issue. 

The smaller engine feels tight in the bay. I don't see the bigger V6 being any easier 

Bump - Engine size error.

Thanks

It's possible but not terribly likely.  Look to the basics first, like heat shields, or the bracket between the bottom of the exhaust manifold/converter assembly and the engine block that loves to crack and cause weird buzzes and rattles.

Chain is easy but tedious with all the cleaning, since the only gasket is the valve cover gasket.  The timing cover is sealant.  You will need the cam and crank lock tools, full stop, but these are fairly inexpensive.  There are no keyways for the cam sprockets, crank sprocket, or the harmonic damper, so you need to put the lock tools in place before you loosen the crank bolt.  Putting the damper back on in the correct place is also critical because the crank trigger wheel is on it.

I've never replaced a worn out chain in one of these due to noise, but I've welded or removed at least a dozen converter to block brackets.

Thanks, Pete.  I'll have her bring it over and I'll get it in the air and check all the shields and brackets.

I really appreciate your guidance.

Any updates?