98 EB SOHC major problem - Help!!!

[h-bomb]

Hey guys long time since I've posted on here...anyway I have a major problem on my hands. I have a 98 EB (4.0 SOHC) with 168k. Last week I started it up in the cold and it was vibrating/shaking like crazy at idle. The one thing I notice is the rpm's at idle go from 700 to about 550-600 and thats when it shakes. I also notice the dreaded timing chain noise...it sounds like marbles in a tin can, a loose chain hitting metal etc. That noise occurs off and on for a very long time, but now it is louder and occurring about 90% of the time the engine is on. The noise occurs during idle, under heavy load, or just when crusing. I've also noticed a loss in gas milage. (after filling up with premium)

I took it to a Ford mechanic (Lincoln/Mercury dealership) and he ran the $70 diag. 4 hrs later he showed me the price of $1054...$100 consisting of a camshaft tensioning kit and over $800 in labor to pull the engine out. He said the timing chain tensioner is bad and its causing plugs 3 and 5 to misfire (what came up on the diag). I can't afford that so I told him I'll think about it.

I told the problem to my mechanic and he sent me to someone that said they'll do it for $500. I get there and he changes the price to $800. Way too expensive for a southside mechanic.

Just for kicks I take it to a Ford dealer and now I'm getting a whole different story. He says he has to do his own diag for $70 to see that the problem is, and he also claims he can fix the timimg chain tensioner without taking the engine out. He said he can fix the noise for about $200 (he doesn't believe its the tensioner...he lifted the plastic cover on top of the engine and said that needs to be replaced.) He says the rough idle problem is not because of the timing chain and he doesn't see the total repairs adding up anywhere near $800.

So I'm faced with $1054 (might be able to talk him down 100 or more) or $70 to get it looked at by this "expert." The $70 will go towards repairs though. I'm posting this because I've seen a lot of different remedies for the SOHC noise but I've received different problem quotes from different Ford mechanics. Could the noise come from something else besides the chain? And if it is the chain, could it be replaced without having to take the engine out? He says he never has to fix the rear chain on the passenger side, but if so he still doesn't need to take the engine out.

Sorry for the long post...but I figure the more info y'all know the better. Any advice would help...I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible but still done right. Thanks - Justin.

 

[CDW6212R]

Run a search for "SOHC" and "chain*" to find some of the other threads. There are a lot of possibilities. The pre-2002 have likely inherent problems with the front chain cassettes, and the lack of a check valve for the left tensioner.
I just bought a 99 Explorer, and I am about to fix these three major issues.

There are two rear chain cassettes, which are supposedly less likely to cause problems. The tensioners sometimes wear out also. You will hear all of these problems suggested. Good luck,
Don

 

[RickOTR]

Your better off getting the cassettes and tensioners replaced with that many miles. The front chain can be done with the engine in the truck, but to fix the rear chain the engine has to come out. The price quote the Ford dealer gave you is very reasonably as most are charging $1200 to $1400. The job takes about ten to twelve hours to complete.

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree, I have the ready the front cassettes, the check valve, and one tensioner. LOL,
Don

 

[Eneurb]

About 90% of the time, it's just the primary chain that cause the most problems. The rear chain can be done by just removing the transmission, rather than the engine.

 

[h-bomb]

Thanks for replying guys.

I took it today to a mechanic at a transmission shop that has done work on my friend's car. He's not looking to make a huge profit and is extremely honest. Anyway, he said it is the front chain tensioner and only ford stocks the part, but he said to fix that and to fix the 2 spark plugs that arent firing would be 300-350 total. I'm happy with that compared to the 1000 from ford and 800 from some shady mechanic. I'll post a follow up when he fixes it for future searches/reference. Thanks again for the help.

Justin

 

[thecause17]

Are you getting any kind of power loss with this too? I have a missing problem too, but no noise and a really bad power loss....and I have gone through all tune-up procedures and have checked everything I can think of. I am going to look into checking the timing to see if somehow it is off...

 

[h-bomb]

thecause17-

Yes I have a slight loss in power...but I think it's also caused by the spark plugs misfiring, which is probably from the timing chain. I also noticed a major difference in gas mileage. I know when spark plugs are misfiring or not firing at all you hear the light clicking/tapping sounds, but I can't hear it over the timing chain noise.

-Justin

 

[thecause17]

Yeah I'm really confused on mine, check out the thread of you want...http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1172426&posted=1#post1172426 My engine purrs like a kitten, the only way you can even tell there's a miss is to actualy see the engine visibly shudder or here the miss through the exhaust, other than that, my motor is quiet.