Just wondering whos got roughness when driving there SOHC V6? I'm really suprised at it with only 49 K on the motor. I just bought this in June, but it feels like its got quite a vibration or roughness when driving. Tires are balanced, the issue is there in neutral(when moving selecter to N when driving. I hope Im not in for a bearing or anything going bad. I wouldnt think the motor mounts are bad already? I'll have to watch the motor to see if it moves alot.

I guess I'll have to check my factory service manual for steps to find the cause of this roughness.

Its not a tire type vibration, but I feel it in the gas pedal. My old Ranger with the 2.9L/ A4LD did this as well and I never found out what it was?

I VOTED... yes, i have a 1994...but my mom has the 1996...hers is way smooth.... i cant even tell if it is started when i drive it....... she has 113k + on it and just had the heads replaced....

The SOHC just came out in 97 - you've got the OHV in both your Xplorers..

she has a platic thing that says sohc on hers..... over the throttle body....... and she has a conical ait filter.....

Then hers is a 97.

the title says it is a 96 and hers has a v6 sohc.... i dont know, maybe it was an early prototype version or something.... ill get pics this weekend of the engine and a photo of the title......

There was a guy on this board, I believe he was in Australia, he has a 96 with a SOHC engine. So it is very possible to have a rare 96 with the V6 SOHC.

My X's SOHC gives me all kinds of grief and then some....the belt is incredibly cranky and sounds like a chain being dragged over a tin can, notably worse when I used the 87 grade gas ( been using 89-little better) He grumbles a bit at stops and idle.just enough vibration to annoy me....I get this oddball clicking from the tranny when I floor 'im.......anyone think that's my control trac kicking in? never been able to peel wheels..hmm. I had a problem with the thermostat (or so my mechanic at Goodyear tells me) that had my X revving constantly--the Rpms would jump from 500 to 1500 at idle. It doesn't do it so much anymore since the thermo got replaced, but it DOES still do it. I also have a remote start installed- I wonder if it might be interfering with the starter........?:mad:

Lin

A while back I had the cam tensioner and O ring fixed under the recall. After a short time, many of the same symptoms, rough idle being one of them, returned.
I also have that "muffled mables" sounds from the engine on acceleration.

My 97 is currently in the shop for the next two days getting the cam guides replaced.
Hoping this will be the trick. Going on 56K miles of "not too impresive" engine performance.

I did voilate my own rule buying an new engine option in the first year it came out.

why does the SOHC have so many problems?
i thought it was a more advanced engine. if i buy another explorer, i was planning on getting the SOHC. but i dont want to have all these problems. My mom has a 2000 XLT V-8, she has no problems with it. but i dont want to spend more $$ on gas than i do now, so i figured the SOHC was a good choice.

the 97-98's had a ton of problems, most of which were resolved and perfected by 2000-2001. so i'd consider a newer sohc ok to buy.
Anyways i dont shift to neutral anymore while driving because when i first got my x, i tried shifting to neutral down a hill to coast for some dumb reason and accidentally put it in reverse because i moved it too far. it made a loud sound, the tires schreeched and i stalled. i never would do that again, but my tranny has been running fine and i dont think it was good, but i baby my tranny from now on.

"why does the SOHC have so many problems? "
I think you will find a post out there that went something like this (sorry I can't find it):

Ford needed an engine between the 4.0 and V8 for the Explorer line. Hence the 4.0 SOHC, came out in 97.

As I understand it they reworked and tweaked an existing engine block. In the process they ended up with 4?? timing chains to achieve the SOHC design and I'm sure a lot of other fast dancing by the design depart to get it out to market quickly.
I'm sure the destructive engineers also had a heavy hand in the process... plastic guides in the engine?... the list goes on...

"First year" "new design" had plenty of bugs... some not so small.

Why did I buy one in its first year?
I hope the "non plastic cam guides" make mine run better. I should get it back later today.

Buying the SOHC has been a big pain in the A%% right from the start. The extra power has not been worth it.

To Ford's credit they are fessing up to problems and fixing them.
(I know we'll get feedback on that one)

I too have felt that the SOHC is a PITA in my opinion and is a hassle to work on.
Actually Im almost double thinking why I wanted an Explorer in the first place.?

My whole goal was to get something a bit bigger then the Jeep Grand Cherokee (I'm still trying to sell) and get better mileage then the V8. I had the Jeep lifted with Bilsteins, BFGs etc. and it off roaded supurbly.
It ran pefect too with less issues then the SOHC. And there were no recalls on the JCG. On the X, I've had 5 ..so far

I researched the Explorers and figured, hey not alot of issues that I see, why not?

Well I know now for sure that the JGC is a better off road vehicle hands down. But the Explorer is bigger inside, and in the cargo area but the switches and knobs feel better on the Jeep. The switches and knobs on the Explorer feel dated and look like something form an older F100.

My X is 2WD as well and not AWD like the jeep.
I now I get better mileage in the X but not much.

Thats my rant on the SOHC/Xplorer.

For what it is worth my 94 has been the greatest, a "gas and oil" car (about 78K). Its a "plain jane" XLT but the manual transmission with OD makes it a blast to drive and fast (in perspective). It also has much simplier techonlogy to deal with and a even 8? years later, i still think the design is one of the better of all the 4WDs. Finish and body have held up great. That was part of the lure for me to go for the second.

With the SOHC issues aside, the new ones are very popular and they generally have good track record. If I could put the SOHC aside, I would be in love with thing.
If I were king I would have gotten it with a manual, but it was not available with the SOHC grrrr that SOHC again.

The 4WD market has too many "glitcie" cars for me. Playing up the luxury car staus thing and big sticker price.

If if had better warranty service and less problems with the SOHC, I would have little to complain about. The fact that they have consistently sold so many for so many years is a clue not to overlook. I think?

No real point, just some radom thoughts.

Don't get me wrong-when my SOHC is running sans glitches, it just can't be beat. I raced a 00 Jeep Grand Limited thru 3 stoplights the other night, and kicked his @$$ every time-and he had a V8 (must suck getting your butt handed to you by a girl in a pint sized Explorer! :D ). But then again, I've reason to believe I'm cranking out a good 230 HP.
Most of the time it's a good, strong, slightly noisy engine...but not bulletproof like my ex-Ranger's 2.3.

very true.... I have surprised many when stopped at a traffic light and some guy creeps up on your right, stops and thinks his is going to jump you off the light (pet peve)
I've "stomped" on mine and I KNOW I have surprised quite a few. I guess since I do not have a V8 emblem, he thought "this one is mine"........ NOT!
Yes, that is postive side.

Gotta love it! :D

Watch out Blazers, here I come!!!!!!:hammer:
Lol

Well for what it is worth:
Got my exploder back a few days ago from the "guide" recall. Again, I found the greatest dealer in Flemington NJ....no whining, no cry babystuff...straight up.

I gave it a few days before passing judgement, so here how it goes:
For the first time (and it took 56K mile to get to this point), I must say my explorer is now running very well.

Any minor little things aren't worth mentioning. I think a reset to the computer mod (do a "disconnet the battery 20 minute thing") may make it surpass its current state.

What a killer it took 56K miles!!! Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you!

From a post above: So I have been stomping on it one or two extra times. You know it does get out of its own way, pretty d^%$ good!

"The was done by a professional driver under controled road conditions....don't try this a home"

Right!! This guy tried to jump me from my right side when we were stopped at a light. I do hate that! What else could I do with my cruiser at top performance? Naturally..blew him away. Now, I can't do that every car on the road, but it good to know I ain't "a bottom feeder."

Amen to that, brother! :D

There are a few recalls for the X's with SOHCs, check a local Ford Dealer and have them check it.

I would have to say that my 97 Explorer has had its fair share of problems. I just recently had my motor replaced at 69k and had it in three times since in the last 6 weeks due to more problems. My last motor was a SOHC and so is my new one. My last motor shook my car like crazy and drove for nothing. It also sounded like a diesel it was so loud with clunking and rumbling. My new motor was replaced under some recall that I did not know existed, and it started idling strangely at 250-500 rpm and then would click and nearly stall out only to shoot back up to a little over 1000. It turns out my ISC was shot and needed to be replaced, and that seems to have solved that issue. I would recommend if anyone is gun hoe on buying an Explorer to avoid getting a SOHC motor, I have had problems since the beginning and just missed the Lemon Law guidelines. From a manifold, to coils and god knows what else, the motor still failed with blown tension rods at just under 70k. Even my new SOHC motor has problems and this is a motor that is supposed to have the kinks ironed out, I know my new motor has problems and it’s brand new. Choose wisely if you plan on buying an Explorer, I know I will next time.

I have 40k on my SOHC and as far as "recalls" go, only one I know of is the 00M12 TSB. I haven't had any problem with my SOHC. My X has been to the shop over a dozen times, only one of those times was for the 00M12 TSB. I offroad frequently and push my motor harder than most. So far the only thing that HASN'T broken is my SOHC. It's a tough motor and packs enough power to feel like a V8. Only thing I have on it is a KKM intake and about to put in some new platinum plugs.

I dunno if this is what was causing the roughness in mine, but my Thermostat apparently sealed itself shut (according to my mechanic) and cost me around 600 to have the fuel infection system cleaned; flush, clean and fill the coolant, as well as (I think) the radiator fluid, and replace the therm and seals and etc...It runs much better now, plus mine was getting grief from the remote start that I had installed. I took it back to Circuit city and they replaced the start mechanism-no probs since .(knock on wood;) ) The only thing I notice now is when I start it for the first time of the day (when it's cold outside) the revs jump back and forth from 1,000 to 2,000 for 5 minutes, before settling down to 500 after it warms up. Hope that helps!

Check your crankshaft balancer. They can seperate and slip and it will cause a bad vibration and the more it seperates the more it'll vibrate until it feels like you have one awesome cam.

i also had the chain tensioner fail on my sohc. i was over my warranty , so i paid cash to have it repaired. picked it up on a thursday and on friday ford sent me a letter stating that they would reimburst me for the repairs. But a weak after driving my x i started hearing a ticking sound from the engine. took it back to the shop who did repairs and they checked it out . they said it was my injecters that was making the noise i was hearing. told me to use a good injecter solvent to fix problem. it din't work. so i got a 2nd opion from a shop across town he pulled out the old stethoscope just like the other guy. he also said it was my injectors. seems the noise is coming from the fuel rails. seems like bologna to me. i just hope the chain tensioners are not breaking again. still, engine runs fine and very very strong as usual.

That ticking sound anything remotely like a bicycle chain being dragged over an empty soda can? That's what mine sounds like....Oh, and my O2 sensors just blew for the second time in a year :eek: Anyone else have this happen to them?? No idea why, but I'm beginning to wonder if my remote start might have something to do with it.......:fire:

hello everone,I am replying to let everyone know that the sohc engine is junk.Back in june I took it to the Ford dealer for the ticking noise,They said their was a recall on the tensioner. so they fix it,and a while later it started ticking again. So a few days after christmas I was leaving work and the check engine light came on,so I checked my gauges and there was no oil preasure,so I pulled over and opened the hood and found a hole in my valve cover. I took it back to the dealership,and come to find out the parts they fixed 3 months ago failed AGAIN and caused it to make a hole in my valve cover.Don't get me wrong I love my Explorer but I have had nothing but trouble with it,it's in the shop every other month for something ,like the hood release recall,back window washer arm gets stuck in the middle of window, that was fixed twice,power window quit working,and the drivers side power mirror quit working also.

thats what mines sound like too. but what puzzles me is that the sound is coming through the fuel rails and not from the chain tensioner area. the rest of the engine sounds fine.

I love my SOHC :D Then again I have a 2k model, but it already has 73K miles on it. It gets driven hard, and it hasn't failed once. Not even a rough idle. The pedal does vibrate a lot, especially when accelerating and going into overdrive, but you get used to it after a while. I would like to know what's causing that, and I have been starting to get a whining sound around 2,500 RPMs or so. I think a lifter's going out, but I still love my X, and the SOHC rocks. Revvy as far as truck engines go. Have surprised many a rice-burner with it before ;)

Revvy as far as truck engines go. Have surprised many a rice-burner with it before

They are pretty rev happy, huh? I love when mine goes all the way up to the limit :D

Anybody else have an SOHC that's happy in the summer and cranky in the winter though?

Mine always runs like crap. Even with a new engine.
I took out my sister's 97 sohc out the other day. She never takes care it. It has 30k more miles than mine. It so much tighter, runs and idles so much better than mine
Go figure

I have to say that engine wise I'm very happy with my SOHC. When did they start on the mods? From what you all say its a bit of a lottery some good and some bad sound like if you got a badun then that's it. But the performance is wow. For such a heavy vehicle to move like this is brilliant. The other week I trashed my friends 4.6 v8 range rover, left it for dust, and get many more miles per gall than he does ( he avs 14-15mpg whilst I get 20-21mpg).
PS that british galls I'll let you do the maths to US galls

Just putting in my 2 cents and an inquiry.
Although I only have my '01 X since July, I'm very happy with it. I like the power (fer a V6) and the engine is quiet and tight.

The only thing I don't like is the mushy suspension. It just feels too soft and seems to lean a lot into 'hard' turns. I'm new to the SUV world and am used to driving a modified Mustang. I don't expect it to corner or handle like my Stang but I will work on it.

Concerning the X's recalls is there a web site where I can find them? I don't want to ask my dealer about recalls because I don't trust any of them.

The only thing I don't like is the mushy suspension. It just feels too soft and seems to lean a lot into 'hard' turns. I'm new to the SUV world and am used to driving a modified Mustang. I don't expect it to corner or handle like my Stang but I will work on it.

Not to jump off topic, but if you do a search for shocks and torsion twist, you'll find a few ideas to make your X handle a LOT better...

'97 with 74K miles. Runs very smooth for it's age.

Originally posted by BajaXplorer


Its not a tire type vibration, but I feel it in the gas pedal. My old Ranger with the 2.9L/ A4LD did this as well and I never found out what it was? My '02 explorer, I can feel a very mild vibration in the gas pedal and I'm almost positive that it happens when the torque converter locks to the transmission. It isn't enough to worry me, and it makes sense that it would happen when the drive train locks together.

Originally posted by Spas
Not to jump off topic, but if you do a search for shocks and torsion twist, you'll find a few ideas to make your X handle a LOT better...

Thanks, I'm picking up ideas, I want to research before I invest the cash.

Originally posted by espnfreak
the 97-98's had a ton of problems, most of which were resolved and perfected by 2000-2001. so i'd consider a newer sohc ok to buy.
Anyways i dont shift to neutral anymore while driving because when i first got my x, i tried shifting to neutral down a hill to coast for some dumb reason and accidentally put it in reverse because i moved it too far. it made a loud sound, the tires schreeched and i stalled. i never would do that again, but my tranny has been running fine and i dont think it was good, but i baby my tranny from now on.

what about the 99's

I just have to chime in here with my experience. I've had a rough idle from the start. But my baby has ran so good for over 55K miles, that I don't worry about it.
I've had very little problems. Engine wise only two. I think one was an EGR valve??? And the other was on a trip to Louisville this summer. The serpentine belt broke on me outside of Nashville. The dealer said it looked like I had some debris come up into the engine and hit the tensioner and belt ruining them both. $200 later I'm back on the road.

She runs like a champ for me and I'm always taking her up into the 5K/6K rpm range.

Hrm... on a little cheating session from my two week absence...
I'm taking my '99 SOHC in this weekend because I'm worried I DO have a problem...

Here are my symptoms:
Roughish idle cold mornings
Allegedly no oil pressure on cold starts... very few times on cool starts. Oil press goes okay after a few seconds/mins on a rev up.
Rattling sound... possibly the muffeled marble sound at 2.6k-3k rpms, only in gear... sounds like lifters :eek:, could be because of lack of oil?!
Occasional low rpm spike on first gear engagment... around 300 rpms then kicks back up after a sec...

I'm taking it in saturday to ford, MAKING them test-drive it with me because I want them to KNOW that I have that rattle... I want to know what it is.
My last dealer invoce states:
J# 6+06F0Z Engine: CUST STATES PERFORM INSPECTION FOR 00M12 A99 (*I didnt, they just did it for me*) COMPLETED REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE GASKETS AND CAM CHAIN TENSIONER
then goes on to say the parts for it were
KIT INTAKE MAN YL2Z-9E473-AA

So I always guessed they performed 00M12 for me last time... but I seem to be exhibiting symptoms from and intake leak. Is it possible that the recall parts were faulty or that I am still having the same problem, or that they only performed the chain tensioner part of the recall? I'm hoping they will honor my word that I am having the problems I say I am, because they are intermittent and mostly (aside from the rattle) only happen when the engine is cold. They (the dealer) seems nice and helpful, I defantly didn't know about 00M12 on my last visit, and they say that I asked for it, so I guess thats a good mark for service in their favor... plus they messed up my leaky window repair the first time and redid it for free and extended the warranty on it.. so IDK. Im hoping these either arent problems, or if they are they are warranted or arent to costly. I dont know about my warranty though, I have done the brown wire mod, put in reverse indiglo guages, and a few other very small self repairs, so I wonder if they will find the TOD clutch a reason to void the warranty (if it exists) on my engine.

anyways, other than repairs from weird noises and recalls... I love the SOHC... it pulls nicely and revs like mean mofo... if only they worked the kinks out in '99 and not '00 :D

-----Nate

lifters??????

Okay so kill me...:D I meant rocker arms... it almost sounds like they are high and dry w/o oil and just ticking, but god allmighty save us all I hope not. Stupid dummy guage says I'm a. OK when I hear the noise... :( I hope I really do have oil pressure.... *note to self... make aftermarket oil guage priority 1*

Hell yea! SOHC is the shit! Everyone tells me how awesome my ex is! And the KKM gives it more life.

I have 37k miles on stock 4dr (only a K&N drop in filter). The only complaint I had was a rough feel in the peddle at 3500-4000 rpm when excellerating. I used Lucas fuel additive (lubricates upper cylinder it says) and it got rid of the roughness. Feels strong and smooth. :D

Before the K&N filter, it was slow to build up rpms when excellerating on to the highway, often shifting gears in the 3600 rpm range. After installing the K&N filter, the rpms climbs quickly to 5k range. The first time caught me by surpprise :eek: and I let off the peddle to slow it down.

I haven't had major problems experienced by others, knock on wood!:)

My 97 SOHC has abbout 48,000 on it. And every now and then I get a rough idle around 500 rpm. I do have a rattle around 2800-3000 rpm's. My dealer did the front cam chain guides in 12/02 but still have noise. But all in all the thing runs good.

I have a 2002 explorer it has the tickin noise when under heavy exceleration, my 93 topaz (beater car) does the same thing.:confused:

this has been posted but I did not want to read everything right now.

Some of you have had the marble effect and had it replaced. There is also a crank bal tensioner that goes out and will make the SOHC run ragged. they just cam out with the TSB for it the year!

Hope this helps!

I have a '00 Sport with 26,000 miles on it, and for the most part runs smooth. I can feel it idling when at a stop, my Blazer did the same thing so use to it. When I accelerate I can feel a little vibration, but when up to speed, I don't feel it or notice it.

I've had several engine probs with my '01 Sport. All were fixed under warranty. First thing that happened was the valve spring failure....two days after I brought the truck home from the dealership. The cyl heads were also damaged and replaced. This also damaged the egr system and a few other emissions related parts due to backpressure up the intake during valve float. Then a couple of months later, the primary timing chain tensioner failed.

I haven't had any major drivetrain/powertrain problems since then(mostly electrical probs now), but the chain rattle is starting again and the trans is showing signs of wear.

I also have some kind of suspension/wheel/tire related vibration that happens at all speeds. It isn't a major problem, so I'm not gonna take it in yet. Oh yeah, there is also some high pitched squeal that has been coming from the front wheel area since I got the truck.

I got this truck to replace the '00 Mustang GT contertible I had that Ford repurchased under the Lemon law.....and that Mustang replaced my other '00 Mustang that was also a Lemon. Ford really needs to work on their quality control.

Plastic Cam Guides? Hmm. I have a 97 SOHC. I just paid the truck off its pass warranty but if I took it in they should replace those if it has a recall. Any clue how much is involved with this? I would be interested to know. What other recalls are out there for the truck? I'll drop it off this weekend and have the ****ers rip it apart and fix everything. :)

I have a 97 SOHC and it give's me problems left and right. Had all the recalls done on it and sometimes it will run great and then the other times it will idle under 500rpms and sputter. It also has a rich smell to the exaust sometimes. Anyone know whatz wrong with it pm me..PLZ...but other then that i love it. If i need power i have it on command...:) ...laterz

when mine was running rough it was the 02 sensors I replaced those, and my spark Plugs and it ran great. but that was after my first motor was replaced from the factory recall, was your under the recall

My 98 SOHC has 64k miles and is running great! No abnormal noises and runs REAL strong!

It did have the leaky intake gasket issue to deal with when I bought it (at 40k). The Stealership fixed that no problem.

Only issue now is a LOW idle. It's time for new plugs and an IAC Clean though. :eek: :D

Originally posted by caldi55
when mine was running rough it was the 02 sensors I replaced those, and my spark Plugs and it ran great. but that was after my first motor was replaced from the factory recall, was your under the recall

yea thats what i was thinking was the problem, an my check engine light comes on everyonce in a while, i'm gona go get it checked sometime. Probly this week, Hopefully:rolleyes: . I just hope its that and nothing else...:(

Ok three things!

1) timing chain ten.

2) crank shaft balancer ten.

3) also take out the air intake tube in the air box (if you have one) = more power!!!

alright, i just got my roughness figured out and its running beautifully. Over the weekend i had a check engine light so i went to AutoZone to get it read an it was my 02 Sensor coming up and with another code reading that it was running lean. So i bought the part which was $61 and put her on the x the next day along with pulling the battery. All i gotta say is i have no more hesitation and it runs at 500rpms like a dream...so i'm happy, hope this helps u guyz out. Thankx

After reading about it, I bought a can and went home to add it to my engine. I opened the hood and started the truck. Man did the engine rattle and shake. A WHOLE LOT. Well, after adding teh Sea Foam and letting it soak in for ten minutes, I went to start her up and the engine was soooooo quiet. Idle was at the same RPM range, but no more noise.
Have you tried that? Just my $.02.
Karl

no, i never tried that...

Well i got tired of searching around for the correct IAC Valve so i stopped in at ford and just bought it there for $70 bucks, i about fell over but what can ya do....now it runs with out a hitch, i love it.....:chug:

They are pretty rev happy, huh? I love when mine goes all the way up to the limit :D

Anybody else have an SOHC that's happy in the summer and cranky in the winter though?


Had the same problem with the cold weather. Apparently the intake gaskets go bad at about 40,000. When its cold the gaskets shrink which causes a vacum in the intake, the causes the roughness at start up. Whent the engine heats up the gaskets heat up and expand closing off the vacum. Thats why the engine runs fine after it warms up. Had mine repaired at the dealer $1,000 labor $200 parts.

anyone here have trouble with keeping their x in alighnment? Mine likes to go out every 3 or 4 months.

Had the same problem with the cold weather. Apparently the intake gaskets go bad at about 40,000. When its cold the gaskets shrink which causes a vacum in the intake, the causes the roughness at start up. Whent the engine heats up the gaskets heat up and expand closing off the vacum. Thats why the engine runs fine after it warms up. Had mine repaired at the dealer $1,000 labor $200 parts.

That is a RECALL item that the stealership "SHOULD" have covered for you!!

I had my 98's intake gaskets replaced at NO COST to me.

That is a RECALL item that the stealership "SHOULD" have covered for you!!

I had my 98's intake gaskets replaced at NO COST to me.

yeah, this recall has been out for a while....mine has been replaced 6 times without any charge because ford kept saying the miss and hard idle was the intake gasket, well i proved them wrong, with a brand new 02 sensor and IAC valve, it runs at 700rpms without a hitch. :rolleyes: ..

Well i take back what i said in the last post, it is now running like sh*t once again. It has a real lean smell to the exausht and it idles like crap sometimes. I was wondering could this be cause by fuel injectors or something related to the fuel? if anyone has some information for me i would be so thank full if not then i'm lost and i will probly sell it and get something else because i hate it when it runs like crap, i get like 12 mpg when it does it. So anyone HELP!!..Thankx

That rattle noise and roughness may be your lower most chain tensioner for the balance shaft has failed. If it has allowed the chain to jump then you will get a vibration (or roughness) with the engine.

To address this take it to the dealer because the engine MUST COME OUT for proper timing of all chains. You may also want to request the primary chain & tensioner be replaced with the updated parts as well. Neither of these (other two) chains are covered by the FSA (recall) for the front & rear cam chains.

This can happen to any SOHC through 2003 model year....

Sorry for the bad news but hey, may as well get it fixed and move on with life and ENJOY THE ROAD.

Ibrought in my 98 X for noise and rough idle and they replaced the top and bottom chain guide and the balance shaft. Now it runs great but I,m wondering if I should'nt sell now? Does anyone have good things to say about this engine? Are the new parts better than the old? Let me Know . Jeff

I have almost 100k on my SOHC, still get 30 MPH on the highway, and have never had any troubles with the motor.

I am very happy with it.

Had some roughness and loping idle in the X. It was making the famous whooooo sound so I replaced the IAC (second time) and all is well. I also did the 01m01 recall myself with the engine in the truck in ten hours, and yes, it can be done with patients.

I just bought a 2001 Ford Exp Sport Trac and since I've had it it's been in the shop more than I've driven it. I drove it up to the UP in Michigan and by the time I got back the noise (nocking, rough startup, rough idle) was terrible. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the timing chain tensioner. They replaced the chain and the tensioner. It seemed to be gone but the weekend after I got it back, more noise was there. I took it back in and they said it was the rear tensioner but to wait until the noise was much louder so the warranty company would actually pay for it. Does this make any sense? What is the rear tensioner? My engine seem sluggish and I've regretted buying this truck. Help!

My chain tensioner has been changed twice in the past 30k miles. The engine has been rebuilt already too (@ just 22k miles). It has recently started to sound like a diesel truck again (55k), so to the shop it goes again. The A/C compressor is seizing up too, so I can't even use it anymore. It cycles every 4 to 5 seconds and almost stalls the engine when it kicks on. The dealership couldn't find anything wrong with the A/C and wanted to charge me $120 to change the tensioner pulley that they thought was the problem. I changed it myself for $13, (along with the idler pulley and belt while I was under the hood) but the problem remains. :fire: It really sucks, because I'm on my extended warranty now and it costs me $80 or so per problem just for them to look at it. I've been to 5 dealers in the area for various problems and they all suck.

Sounds like my situation. The dealer wants me to wait until the noise gets worse so they warranty company will pay for it. Sounds like you have the exact same problem I do. When I got home from Marquette, MI, I felt like I was driving a Model T. ....

I got the timing chain recall done but the Ford dealer told me my timing adjuster tensioner is broken. They said its not the tensioner for the main chain. They told me it would be $900 for them to fix it. I declined it because i wasnt about to spend that much on a V6. Thats why im looking into the V8 swap or if not ill just pull this out and fix it myself.

XLT

My engine idles at or around 400 rpms. I asked Ford about it and they said I would have to have my computer replaced cuz ya can't change the idler manually. They said it probably is not worth fussing over cuz there would be a 50/50 chance it would fix the "problem". They said it shouldn't hurt anything. Should I worry or should I just move on with my life?

My engine idles at or around 400 rpms. I asked Ford about it and they said I would have to have my computer replaced cuz ya can't change the idler manually. They said it probably is not worth fussing over cuz there would be a 50/50 chance it would fix the "problem". They said it shouldn't hurt anything. Should I worry or should I just move on with my life?

Just move on,

Good luck.....

My engine idles at or around 400 rpms. I asked Ford about it and they said I would have to have my computer replaced cuz ya can't change the idler manually. They said it probably is not worth fussing over cuz there would be a 50/50 chance it would fix the "problem". They said it shouldn't hurt anything. Should I worry or should I just move on with my life?

Boy that would pretty damn annoying, mine sometimes idles high around 200 when I start it up for a few minutes and that about drives me up a wall :confused: the 50/50 chacne would be what scares me, spend that money and not fix the problem, OH BOY would I be pissed, but sry to hear that man, let us know what you decide and if it fixes it :thumbsup:

I have just completed removing my right side (passenger) cam chain cassette/tensioner assembly. I have seen many posts concerning the "rattle" and have had the problem myself for about 20k. I had the easy left side recall work done at 50k, at 100k now. Last time I took it in the claened my fuel injection system and basically blew me off on the "rattle" but I could see detonation on my plugs (BURNT THE PLATINUM ELECTRODES RIGHT OFF THE RIGHT BANK PLUGS). I first went for the tensioner but when I got the valve cover off I saw the the cassette was broken into about 4 pieces. The broken cassette allows the chain to flop around which affects the timing=detonation. This flimsy plastic guide has been ground away by the cam chain so now I have to do a serious flush to attempt to remove the junk THANKS FORD. I have just removed my trans and ordered the OTC 4.0 cam timing tools which are essential to complete this job. 200 vs the 1k that the dealer wants to do this job. They pull the engine but it can be done by removing the trans. I plan on posting some pics and a description of this.

Ill bring my truck over so you can do mine!

XLT

No thanks its worth the 1k the dealer wants but they pissed me off. I suspect the that when the did the left side recall that the did'nt get my left cam timing right it does not seem to be correct but I can't be sure until I get the OTC timing kit.

Dont forget the crank shaft bal ten also will make noise

I have a 97 SOHC and I can't ask it to run any smooter. Great Engine. Fast. With only a couple minor problems (02 sensors etc.) It starts up perfectly fine when garage kept(99%) of the time. But when I keep it outside when its cold out and try start it it runs rough, it keeps trying to stall out , and I have to keep revving it for 2-3 minutes to keep it alive. Then its smooth and perfectly fine. Is this a problem or just a normal thing with the motor? By the way it has 88,000 on it.

I have a 97 SOHC and I can't ask it to run any smooter. Great Engine. Fast. With only a couple minor problems (02 sensors etc.) It starts up perfectly fine when garage kept(99%) of the time. But when I keep it outside when its cold out and try start it it runs rough, it keeps trying to stall out , and I have to keep revving it for 2-3 minutes to keep it alive. Then its smooth and perfectly fine. Is this a problem or just a normal thing with the motor? By the way it has 88,000 on it.

Have you cleaned the IAC?

Amessie,
Any news with the repair? Looking at helping a friend with her rattle and roughness in her 99 Sport.

Hmmm....I just purchased my 4.0 SOHC January 8th, so I don't know its history. I have no idea of what may have been repaired previously.

I do know that it runs very smoothly. I don't hear well, but no on else thats been in it hears anything (lots of people). It now has almost 71K on it, but I have driven it almost 4K of that myself.

So far I am very pleased with it. It beats my 89, 2.9 ranger all to pieces, although I have driven that engine over 182K so far. I hope the new one holds up as well.

Edit: It is a 4X4 and has 4.10 gears. It gets 20MPG in the hills where I live with me driving it hard. My old 2.9/C5 won't even come close to that.

Dont forget the crank shaft bal ten also will make noise
What the hell is a "BAL TEN" ???

there is a crank shaft balance tensioner as well, the balancer goes in a counter rotation from the crank shaft to balance it out. I had that (ten) replaced and makes the same type of noise. I posted this in a post a while back! also Off subject take out the air silencer in the air box for more power! if you have a vibration chances are that it is the crank shaft bal. if it rattles around like a marble in a tin can then its the timeing belt ten

there is a crank shaft balance tensioner as well, the balancer goes in a counter rotation from the crank shaft to balance it out. I had that (ten) replaced and makes the same type of noise.
OK, does anyone know FOR SURE if this crank shaft balance tensioner is the SAME part as the JACKSHAFT ??

Is part #10 the Primary Chain Tensioner and is this part covered under the 01M01 Recall ???

http://s95371106.onlinehome.us/albums/SOHC/photos/photo2.jpg

http://s95371106.onlinehome.us/albums/SOHC/photos/photo3.jpg

The jack shaft chain would turn the jack shaft, I assume the number 9 and 11 would not be there in the 2 wheel model. so not the jack shaft is not the bal shaft.

My 2000 XLT SOHC has almost 80K on it and it running strong. I know I have the updated SOHC from the 97-98 models, but I just think a lot of it comes down to basic engine maintenence. I change my oil every 2,000 miles, flush the coolant every 6 months, and flush the tranny once a year. Take care of your motors!