01 Explorer Sport died, V6.

[mgross]

Hello, all. This is my 1st post to this forum.
Driving my 01 Sport on Friday and it suddenly just died. No extra noises, banging, clanking, etc. Just kind of sighed and stopped running. i was in cruise at about 55mph.
Engine cranked, but wouldn't start. Had it rollbacked to my mechanic and after a quick look, he put the computer on it and could only see that the cam (?) timing mark came up one time and than not at all and the engine could not be further rotated, either to right or left.
Timing chain issues of course popped up 1st, but he is highly suspicious of the inability to rotate the engine.
Which V6 was put in these Explorers?
Is this a "non-interference " engine?
If not, is this situation as bad as it sounds?
Thanx in advance.

 

[ramren16]

you have 4.o sohc

 

[2000StreetRod]

VIN X or E?

What is the 8th digit in your VIN? If it's an X then you have an OHV V6. If it's an E then you have the SOHC V6 which is an interference engine. I suspect that you have the SOHC and unfortunately one of your timing chains has either slipped or broken. If the mechanic rotated the engine with the starter then a piston probably jammed against a valve preventing rotation in both directions. Another possbility is that the chain initially just slipped enough that the engine would no longer run. It could have then come off when the mechanic attempted to rotate the engine backwards which is never a good idea for the SOHC. Typically with the SOHC as the plastic guides become worn you will hear a rattle at cold start that lasts for several seconds before the oil reaches the chains and guides. Did you notice any chain rattle before the engine died?

 

[DanaM]

I think the timing change issue was not a problem on later manufactured 4.0 SOHCs I know mine was manufactured on 03.21.01 (they stopped production on the 2001 4.0 sohc Explorer Sport in 04.2001 I think) and I was told by the stealership that the later batches did not have the issue When was yours manufactured?

D a n a

 

[briwayjones]

What is the 8th digit in your VIN? If it's an X then you have an OHV V6. If it's an E then you have the SOHC V6 which is an interference engine. I suspect that you have the SOHC and unfortunately one of your timing chains has either slipped or broken.

They only had the SOHC in 2001.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

yeah it has to be a SOHC engine cause my 01 sport is a 4.0 SOHC engine

 

[mgross]

Engine type

Definitely an E.....SOHC
I'm wondering why there was no noise when it died. I was doing 55. Also, I was able to spin it with the starter motor initially afterward.No noise at all.
Also, no startup noise. Smooth as silk.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Remove the valve covers

Since you can't rotate the engine manually in either direction the ability to diagnose the problem is rather limited. I guess the next thing I would do is remove the valve covers which takes several hours because of all the things that are in the way. With the valve covers off you'll be able to determine the condition of the upper chains and guides. You'll also be able to compare the camshaft positions to each other and the crankshaft. You can check for a stuck open valve or other valve/rocker arm problems. You might have a broken valve spring.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section.