Edmisten1
New Member
- Joined
- November 5, 2013
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Ford Explorer Sport
1998 Explorer Sport 4.0 SOHC. I bought it new. Today, there is just under 300K (yes THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND) on the clock with ALL factory timing chains and guides. Now, granted, it's had the notorious timing chain rattle since probably around the 150K mark (6-7 years ago, maybe longer as I honestly don't know) but...it is still going strong. The only thing I've done is replace the tensioners. I'm a car guy, most of my buddies are car guys and one of my really good friends owns his own shop and is an ASE Master Tech and even he said for the labor alone to R and R all timing components, both front and rear, just run the thing until it croaks...sound advice? I don't know; you tell me. All this time later, it is still running and running strong. The timing chain rattle comes and goes. Very audible at times and practically inaudible at other times (you would never know it has the rattle). I know these little Cologne V6's are formidable engines. I've done very little maintenance to this thing over the years other than the std oil and brake pad changes. In fact, it's on the factory starter and fuel pump. Best I can recall, all I've replaced is the alternator, water pump, radiator, front rack and ball joints. That's about it. It's paid for itself time and time again. Just a real trooper. But I guess my ultimate question is how long can this thing actually go before the chains/guides literally let go I end up with some catastrophic engine damage in the form of valves kissing some pistons at the bare minimum?? Does anyone have this many miles on one of these engines with the original timing components?? Or...if it has lasted this long....will it last forever with the obvious broken guides? I mean, after all this time...how much worse can it get?? Anyone??
