Rocker Arm keeps coming off

[glw165]

i know its bent valve but whats a quick fix? 4.0 sohc 99 explorer

[Turdle]

Quickest fix for a bent valve is an engine swap.

To change a valve you must pull the head, which will open a can of worms parts list, and, require machine shop time.

[glw165]

found a head 4 it but wonder how hard to do it is the drivers side head of the e engine which is front timing chain n gear

[2000StreetRod]

Are you sure you have a valve sticking? There is a possibility that that the rocker arm or lash adjuster is excessively worn or damaged. I would check them first. Have you done a compression check? Have you measured the valve stem height compared to other valves? Have you performed an engine flush? Is the valve getting properly lubricated? I would make sure you actually have a bent valve before pulling the head to replace it.

Ford uses a special valve spring compresser that uses the camshaft for a pivot lever. It's not cheap. The head bolts are not reuseable. As a minimum the left camshaft will have to be retimed. Do you have the Ford camshaft timing tool set (OTC-6488)?

Replacing the head is not a difficult task but is time consuming. Buying the Ford special tools significantly increases the cost.

[McSlug]

How did the valve get bent?
Is there more damage to the engine?

[glw165]

not sure how it got bent just bought truck, but its same rocker just came in from putting it back on runs lil bit starts ticking bad then boom rockers off, compression was low on #6 cylinder which is why i took valve cover off, same rocker always flys off, 1 time the spring was like hung , i wiggled it with screwdriver it popped back up, so im guessing bent valve, when fixed runss perfect, but just keeps throwing rocker off

[RickOTR]

Sounds like the spring inside the lifter is sticking closed or not fully opening like it should. Ticking is the sound of a bad follower. I had to replace all twelve tappets twice. They are known for going south around 120,000 miles. The rockers you are refering too are actually cam followers. I would first try to rent a cam follower removal tool. This lets you remove the tappet without removing the cams. Then see if the valve has full travel.

[glw165]

if i remove valve spring wouldnt the valve fall down in cylinder?, also never seen a rocker with no stud or anything holding it there, just the cam sitting on the roller, very weird

[RickOTR]

The tool does not remove the valve spring, it compresses the valve spring down without disturbing the keepers so you can remove the follower. The follower rides between the cylinder head and the camshaft, there is no stud or bolt holding it on. I had to manipulate the follower out from under the cam because the plunger on the tappet was recessed inside the tip of the follower. Those things don't out easily. That leads me to suspect a bent valve is not your problem but who knows.

[glw165]

when i has the follower out the valve spring was like depressed down from the rest i banged on it and it popped up, so must be at least hanging, but here where i am in ohio its cheaper to change motor than have head work done so im thinking of replacing engine i found 1 with 106k on it for 465$, just i have never done this on newer vehicle im assuming its kinda like old cars, torcque converter bell housing motor mounts radiator and harness? may do it myself

[McSlug]

Originally Posted by glw165

when i has the follower out the valve spring was like depressed down from the rest i banged on it and it popped up, so must be at least hanging, but here where i am in ohio its cheaper to change motor than have head work done so im thinking of replacing engine i found 1 with 106k on it for 465$, just i have never done this on newer vehicle im assuming its kinda like old cars, torcque converter bell housing motor mounts radiator and harness? may do it myself

Do you know the history on the other engine? If the timing gear has not been updated then it will eventually fail.
Has the timing gear been updated on your engine? If so may be worth fixing.
If not maybe look for an engine with bad timing gear, pay little for it, update all the components then drop it in.

If you can pull the valve cover to check for bent valve, then you can pull the motor.
There are good removal instructions on this site. Print them out and follow them they will save you time and stop you removing things you don't have to.

[A4ayo]

Pls where can i get a rocker arm for my mercury mountaineer 2006, thanks

[Sedition]

Originally Posted by glw165

found a head 4 it but wonder how hard to do it is the drivers side head of the e engine which is front timing chain n gear

It is easy to slide the head over the timing chain, I would recomend removing the sprocket from the chain to make it even easier.

Once you pull the head off you will be able to fully inspect the timing chain guide for damage also.

[Sedition]

Originally Posted by glw165

if i remove valve spring wouldnt the valve fall down in cylinder?, also never seen a rocker with no stud or anything holding it there, just the cam sitting on the roller, very weird

If you have that piston at TDC on the compression stroke then the valve will only fall about 8-9mm untill it hits the piston. You can push some rope into the spark plug hole to prevent the valve from moving.

If your going to take the head off then you can remove the valve this way with some basic hand tools.

[Joe Dirt]

Date check...

[A4ayo]

Pls where can i buy a rocker arm or cam follower for mercury mountaineer, thanks

[Sedition]

RockAuto.com has them for $4.70 USD use their catalog and search under Explorer VIN E.

Why do they Export the Mounty to Nigeria but not Australia? WTF?

[A4ayo]

I got mine online and from Nigeria

[RickOTR]

Here's a link to show you how to remove the follower without special tools. Just be careful and follow the video to the letter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbqKWzhpsHQ