97/98 SOHC V6 timing chain tensioner PROBLEMS!

[mditto]

Took my 97 Explorer to dealer at 34k miles complaing of clicking/rattling/pecking noise from engine on start-ups. Dealer said no problem.. Went back at 35500 miles with same concerns, dealer kept vehicle overnight, again, no problems, all normal. Well now at 42k miles, noise was violently loud and metallic in sound. Different dealer knew right off it was timing chain tensioners, stating they had same problems on many 97/98 SOHC V6's. Now I'm faced with a $1000 repair that Ford will not cover, even though I reported it while under warrenty. Has anyone else suffered this same problem?? Is this a widespread problem that Ford should address in a TSB?? Please let's find out...

Mark Ditto

 

[TEC-1]

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop
I had the same thing happen to me. Now my warrenty is also expired. My truck is in the shop now and the repairs are going to be $1200+ there has to be something we can do about this. The timing chain tensioner was broken and it made a reaaaaaally loud matallic clanking noise. I smell a class action law suit here.

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TEC-1
97 Explorer XLT SOHC

 

[rockyboy]

Sounds like we do have a problem here. I have a 98 SOHC V6, and it's had the same rattling problems since about 10,000 miles. (it now has 24K on it) I've taken it in three times, and finally the dealer agreed there was a problem and replaced the timing belt tensioner. Unfortunately, it only made the problem worse and it's completely undriveable now and has been parked at the dealer for two weeks. They spent the better part of one week talking to Detroit engineering trying to diagnose the problem. After numerous discussions they agreed on a new parts kit and I am currently waiting for the new kit to arrive. The service manager also indicated that if the kit doesn't fix it they may be forced to replace the entire engine. The good news is that it's under warranty, the bad news is I've been driving a rental car for close to two weeks.

 

[Jeff]

On my '97 SOHC with 56K miles, I too have a very slight seemingly metallic grinding noise. It isn't always at start up and it doesn't happen all the time. Just every so often without rhyme or reason. It may only last a few seconds and then it goes away never to be heard again until the next time the vehicle is started. Is this similar to what any of you have experienced? I think that this problem may be more widespread than Ford lets on. Somewhere I heard that it is the left tensioner that causes problems. If the right doesn't cause problems I see where someone could have a successful lawsuit on either a design or manufacturing defect theory. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has pressed the issue with Ford for vehicles out of warranty. If Ford isn't interested in satisfying owners on a la carte basis, a complaint can be filed with the NHTSA who will look into it.

[This message has been edited by Jeff (edited 11-16-1999).]

 

[sprsvt]

What is with these problems coming at such low miles? My friend had a 99 lightning that had similar problems. He got the motor replaced at 500 miles!! but the noise problems remained. He took it back several more times to no avail, and Ford took it back under the lemon law.

 

[Jeff]

I checked customer complaints at the NHTSA website and found 3 items one of which is on point and the others might be. The specific item was a timing chain involving tensioner failure. This was posted on 6-22-99. Other complaints involved timing gears and chains breaking. While the complaints don't mention tensioners, keep in mind that the complaints are listed by the consumer who may not be well versed in describing the core problem in the little space provided. It could be that the chains broke because the tensioners failed leading to other problems. Somehow I get the feeling that these problems have happened to more people than what is posted here and the NHTSA site.

 

[Casey_H]

Does anyone know if they are still having these problems with the 99/00 models? I just purchased a 00 with the SOCH engine, should I be worried??

 

[Roadking]

'97 SOHC 28,000 miles
Dealer just replaced faulty timing chain tensioners. I had the same sound. He told me it was a common problem with VERY FEW engines.
Plus they extended my powertrain warrenty.
Get them replaced.
Go right to FORD customer service. I think it's the only way the dealer will replace them.

RoadKing

 

[TEC-1]

My worst fear has come true on my 97xlt. because of the timing chain tentioner problem
did not go away after it had been replaced they will be replaceing the whole engine. I have been paying $70 a day for the last month for a rental (out of my pocket) and this is an uncovered repair. I am now serious about going to ford for this. I will post my findings on this site to keep you all updated. If anyone is having the same problem and would like to join forces with me
please contact me at teek@home.com . This may cost me over $6,000+ for the whole repair. Not to mention the rental car.

TEEK



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TEC-1
97 Explorer XLT SOHC

 

[Jeff]

TEC-1,

I'm sorry to hear about your problem. A couple of questions: If the tensioners were replaced and the problem wasn't resolved, it would seem that Ford should continue working to fix the problem if the tensioners failed again. The repair itself is warrantied unrelated to the original problem. If you mentioned it to your dealer what did he say? Since the replacement tensioners have failed, why is Ford wanting to replace the entire engine? Damage to what other engine parts based on tensioner failure? How many miles on your vehicle when the problem started? Miles before you went to Ford complaining? Has Ford given you any reason why they won't cover the fix besides being out of warranty?

BTW, the warranty isn't an ironclad answer to everything. It is just one of the terms of your purchase agreement with Ford. Lawsuits on negligence theories can be, and are won, long after the warranty has expired. Ford, and every other manufacturer of any product, would be very happy if you thought you had no recourse once the warranty expired. If the product fails because it was a faulty product design that caused/contributed to the failure, you very well might win. If the tensioners failed because they were assembled incorrectly you also stand a good chance of winning on a negligent manufacturing defect theory.

The bottom line is don't let Ford refuse service based on the warranty especially where other owners are reporting identical problems. If yours was a single and isolated incident the odds would be greater against you but that doesn't seem to be what is happening here. If you don't get any satisfaction from them you might want to talk to a products liability attorney first and depending on their answer, consider a small claims suit. Please keep us posted.

 

[Derek Branstrom]

When talking to the dealers/ service personnel did they ever describe the problem as "marbles in a can?" Is the problem always present once you detect it?

 

[chux]

I have a 97 xlt with 60000km on the clock , ford australia has just taken out the motor for the second time for a rear oil leak and replace timing chain and tensioners .
Explorers in australia come with a three year warranty and it looks as if the timing chains are going to be a problem here as my mates (buddy) 98 sohc makes the same metal to metal sound on start up .

 

[regg4041]

derek, i have a 94. my mom owns a 98 with only 18k miles, all of this caught my attention. last night, i got the marbles in a can sound. have you figured out what your problem was? mine turned out to be teh catalytic converter. the weld has broken loose. maybe this will help

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'94 XLT 4-door 4x4

 

[mditto]

This is for regg4041:

The trouble you had with cat. converter is Totally unrelated to the timing chain tensioner issue. The converter cover noise is on just about all of the explorers, very easily fixed with a hose type clamp. The timing chain tensioner problems are ONLY on 1997 and 1998 SOHC V6.

Thanks for your post.

MD



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[MichaelF]

I am very interested in this topic. I took my '97 to a local dealer when it began to tick or rattle when first started. The sound was similiar to the way a small import engine sounds if it gets low on oil. When I picked it up it cost me a couple of hundred, but sounded great. They said it was the Timing Chain/Tensioner. The rattle started again 3 days later. Another trip to the dealer gave me the old..."operation of vehicle checks out normal". Help! What did I pay for and what is wrong with my vehicle?

 

[WestSideExploder]

I've got a '95 Sport with the older V6. I thought I heard a noise coming from the tensioner a while ago, but when I took it in for it's 45k mi checkup, they said they didn't hear anything. The noise I heard is still present, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem on pre-SOHC engines. I'm not sure that it is coming from the timing tensioner, though. Is the timing tensioner located behind the radiator, towards the bottom of the engine compartment on one of the black belts connected to the maze of pulleys, or am I mistakenly thinking this is the timing tensioner?

 

[WestSideExploder]

I've got a '95 Sport with the older V6. I thought I heard a noise coming from the tensioner a while ago, but when I took it in for it's 45k mi checkup, they said they didn't hear anything. The noise I heard is still present, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem on pre-SOHC engines. I'm not sure that it is coming from the timing tensioner, though. Is the timing tensioner located behind the radiator, towards the bottom of the engine compartment on one of the black belts connected to the maze of pulleys, or am I mistakenly thinking this is the timing tensioner?

 

[ksaldibar]

I just ran a search and founf this thread. Soon my parents might be getting me a '97+ Explorer. I see all these problems with the SOCH engine, and I was wondering if it is hard to find a '97-'00 with the OHV because of the SOCH problems. How would I be able to tell whether it is a SOCH or OHV. Thanks guys.

-ken

 

[ok89]

The SOHC will say so on the plastic cover in the engine bay.

 

[ksaldibar]

thats pretty easy man. thanks. btw, have you had any problems with your soch?

-ken