'99 explorer won't start

[SleepyBeast]

My '99 explorer sport, 4.0 l sohc just makes a whiring noise, not the normal sound when cranking, the engine turns and get a small "whomp" once in a while. Any ideas?

I made the mistake of thinking it was the starter from the sound and didn't look to see the fan and everything else turning.

 

[engineeering]

Are you getting any sputters... or just turning over? I'd start with the basics. Fuel and spark. Fuel is a bit easier to start with...

1st. Turn key only to the 2nd click (without start) and listen for the fuel pump. If you hear the electrical whine (~2 seconds long)... pump is probably working. If not... you need a pump. Start here. .... you also can confirm this perhaps by knocking the fuel tank with a hammer to shake the pump and get it to come alive (often the pump will engage power and come alive to verify the problem).

2nd. Even if pump is turning on... you could have a major blockage in the fuel filter. i woudl expect to get some sputters though from "some" fuel. But you can always check this by spraying some kind of fuel (like carb clean or something) into the intake while you are cranking... if you get a sputter.. you definitely have some spark and your problem is fuel.

3rd. If no sputters etc and pump appears to be functioning... you probably don't have spark. Start by looking for electrical disconnects. I'll bet this is the problem if you have no sputtering.

best of luck

 

[koda2000]

Were you having any timing chain rattle before the no start?

 

[SleepyBeast]

Are you getting any sputters... or just turning over? I'd start with the basics. Fuel and spark. Fuel is a bit easier to start with...

1st. Turn key only to the 2nd click (without start) and listen for the fuel pump. If you hear the electrical whine (~2 seconds long)... pump is probably working. If not... you need a pump. Start here. .... you also can confirm this perhaps by knocking the fuel tank with a hammer to shake the pump and get it to come alive (often the pump will engage power and come alive to verify the problem).

2nd. Even if pump is turning on... you could have a major blockage in the fuel filter. i woudl expect to get some sputters though from "some" fuel. But you can always check this by spraying some kind of fuel (like carb clean or something) into the intake while you are cranking... if you get a sputter.. you definitely have some spark and your problem is fuel.

3rd. If no sputters etc and pump appears to be functioning... you probably don't have spark. Start by looking for electrical disconnects. I'll bet this is the problem if you have no sputtering.

best of luck

I will have to try the starter spray, I am hard of hearing so won't hear the fuel pump either way.

And it is one long whirring sound, not the whir whir whir you usually hear when it is trying to start.

Will also go fight with the fuel filter, have no been able to get it off yet, but will try again.

I heard no rattling, it just kinda stopped running and then made the whir noise when trying to start.

Did have some lifter noise when first starting that went away after running for a few minutes.

 

[SleepyBeast]

More info:

I had started it like normal, took off, a bit fast, let my foot off the gas and it died, just kinda quit running and after that started making the whir noise instead of the wom wom wom when cranking.

And as to sputters, it sounds more like a backfire, just a lone whomp once or twice while turning it.

 

[koda2000]

I may me wrong (and hope I am) but interpreting your description of the "whirling sound" I'm wondering if you didn't have some sort of timing chain problem. That's why I'd asked about the rattling. If you jumped time you may have smacked your valves. If this happened you'd loose compression and the engine would sound differently while turning over. Best way to find out is to do a compression test.

 

[SleepyBeast]

I may me wrong (and hope I am) but interpreting your description of the "whirling sound" I'm wondering if you didn't have some sort of timing chain problem. That's why I'd asked about the rattling. If you jumped time you may have smacked your valves. If this happened you'd loose compression and the engine would sound differently while turning over. Best way to find out is to do a compression test.

I will have to give that a shot, may get a cheap beater to get around in while fixing the problem.

It is a beat up in serious need of work vehicle, but I love it anyways lol

Not sure why, but I do.

 

[SleepyBeast]

I may me wrong (and hope I am) but interpreting your description of the "whirling sound" I'm wondering if you didn't have some sort of timing chain problem. That's why I'd asked about the rattling. If you jumped time you may have smacked your valves. If this happened you'd loose compression and the engine would sound differently while turning over. Best way to find out is to do a compression test.

And the whirring sound, imagine the sound when the starter doesn't engage the flywheel, now imagine it a bit lower in pitch. Thought it was the starter not engaging, but everything spins when I turn the key.

 

[engineeering]

...Best way to find out is to do a compression test.

x2

constant "whir" sounds like the heads are not cycling... hope that is not the case but it sure sounds like it. Also... your description of how it was running before it quit makes sense too.

 

[SleepyBeast]

x2

constant "whir" sounds like the heads are not cycling... hope that is not the case but it sure sounds like it. Also... your description of how it was running before it quit makes sense too.

Going to get my car going so I have more time for the explorer. Will be buying a kit for testing compression.