1998 s.o.h.c. V6 xlt explorer

[74 dodger]

HELLO, to all.....i've used this site several times in an attempt to diagnose my problem. By reading the forum I see LOTS of people have had the same problem as I but, this will be my first posting.....

I bought it used September of 2006 and have had the transmission rebuilt by AAMCO. It shifts great and I put 13k miles on the rebuild.

My EX developed a ticking which became a weird rattle about 4 weeks ago. I changed my oil thinking it was the hot AZ weather. I use 5w 30 but this time I tried the 10w 30 thinking maybe it might help the rattling or whatrever the noise was since it was time for an oil change, anyhow. Well, I got the same rattle noise after the oil change. I inspected and changed the belt, tensioner/pulley as well as the idler pully ALL 3 which did need replacing. I inspected the altenator for bearing failure -it's nice and tight. I checked the a/c pulley-it's tight and no wiggles there. The water pump was replaced 2 months ago when it went on me on the freeway-it's nice tight, shinny and new. I was in a bind for time and I let Sundevil Auto here in Scottsdale fix the problem. They did seem to NOT get my belt back in the tensioner shiv properly but I dont see how that had anything to do with the noise since I replaced the tensioner & pulley, idler pulley and belt.

after replacing all the above I started it up again and well, the same annoying noise is still there although it's a bit different now that I don't have the tensioner rattling, too. It's weird cause I have no idea where it's coming from. I can't seem to pin point the noise. I'm not sure it's the timing chain it seems to be coming from the front of the engine, though.

Every now and then it does die in idle and has a bit of a low idle. The noise is noticeable when starting and @ idle. It isn't a knocking noise...i've heard bad main bearing knock several times in my life and it sddoesn't sound anything like that. It can be heard while driving but only it's at a higher more solid sounding pitch due to higher RPM's. I can hear it really well while on the freeway now that they have the concrete barriers up along the side/shoulder. I can hear it well while parking in my space at home & work when other vehichles are parked next to me.

Last night we went to eat dinner and for the first time the "O/D/OFF" light came on and started to flash. I felt it kick out of overdrive right as it shifted into 2nd gear around 25-30 mph -2-3k RPM's and it reamined flashing untill I dhut it off at the restuarant after parking. We ate and left, as I started the truck up the light was still flashing so I took her easy and got on the freeway access road to exit onto a neighborhood road. As I was exiting the light shut off and hasn't come back on, YET.

I plan on taking it to Checker's to have it hooked up to the scanner/code reader but wanterd to make this post before I do.

I know you guys can help me and I know some of you are from AZ. HELP.........please!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Not all scanners are capable of reading transmission codes, so if they can't pull the code, then you might have to go to a transmission shop to pull the codes. As for the noise, disconnect your belt, and run the engine for a minute. This will let you know if it's the timing chain or something else.

 

[Dopler174]

I was thinking timing chain but didn't ford fix that weak link by 98?

 

[74 dodger]

I pulled the belt when I changed the idler pulley, tensioner/pulley and belt. I did start it and the noise was still there. I guess I should have mentioned that. Also, It's shifting fine and the "O/D/ OFF" light has not turned back on. I leave for vacation on Sunday BUT, I will still have PC access....KEEP THE IDEAS coming that way I can better pin point the problem and figure out whether I should attempt this myself or take it to Ford. It sounds as though (ON the forum, through further research) I need a timing chain kit, replacement. Sounds like a lot of work. Under load (when putting into gear-reverse or drive that there is possibly a loose/broken cassette maybe....just thinking out loud). BUT, if its plastic then I hate to say it but it would have been ground up into nothing by now, right?

KEEP EM' FLOWING GENTS & LADIES..........I MUCH APPRECIATE ALL REPLIES.........;0)

 

[74 dodger]

forgot to mention/ask this.....

Are there any other sensors or valves I should check? I do need an idle air control sensor as it is reading an odd ohm readout. I 've dealt with IAC problems before BUT this doesn't seem to be the problem. What about the CMP, could that be the problem? When I get off work i'll have the shop slap a scanner on it. Haven't had the chance to do that just yet.

 

[gijoecam]

Keep it simple. Start with the 00M12 service kit for the oil gallery volume reduction plug and the lower intake manifold kit. They didn't have the problem resolved until late '00 or early '01. My 98 was replaced at 23,000 miles with a 2000 model year long block. It, too, had knock issues. The kit fixed it and it has yet to return nearly 100,000 miles later. (knocking on wood)

The stalling could also be due to the erratic idle caused by the leaky lower intake manifold gaskets. The 00M12 kit will include the replacements. Spend a Saturday under the hood following the instructions on this site and I'll bet your problems are resolved. If I was closer, I'd offer to help. It's really quite simple!!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[74 dodger]

It IS the timing chain. The rattling got a bit louder today then when it warmed up in the AZ heat & bad traffic it became quiet. The "O/D/ OFF" light came on again but still shifts smoothly, FOR NOW....

I called the Ford service shop in my area and explained to them my symptoms before I could finish the tech asked me "how many miles does it have on it?" I let him know 114,319miles. He told me that I should bring it in as it sounds like it COULD be the primary timing chain cassettes or something realated to that area. He did warn me that they do quite a bit of them and to not be surprised about the cost IF that's what it is. They charge $1568.35 that's tax included BUT, it could be something as simple as a leaky gasket...just as GIJOECAM says. I'm, thinkin' i'll do it myself with my cousin's help. It's parked for now.


Have any of you guy's experienced the "FORD treatment"? An older cousin of mine was the sales manager there and they've always been nice to me......i'm sure I can trust them if I decide to let them do it....