99 Ford Explorer Won't start, no spark or compression

[JohnNaylor]

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer SOHC 4.0 4X4. Floored it to get through a light and it just quite. It turns over, but will not start. It has no spark, so I checked compression on Cylinders 1,2 and 4 and they were all about 0-10 psi. I didn't have time to check the others. Does this indicate a timing chain issue? Also is this an interference engine? And if it is a timing chain what's the easiest way to verify it?

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[yavapaires]

I would say timing chain problem with bent valves. I am happy that I have an OHV engine.

 

[swetrid]

Doesn't sound good! It probably is timing chain breakage if you have no compression.

 

[JohnNaylor]

How would I know for sure if there was valve damage?

 

[drdoom]

It is an interference engine and you have no compression...I would say that alone MIGHT qualify as valve damage. Maybe you could pull the valve cover. That would give you some access to the valves & chain.

 

[BubbaFL]

How would I know for sure if there was valve damage?

You could pull the heads and take a look at them.

A leakdown test would also tell you what condition they're in. You'd need to pull the valve covers and see what broke first, and likely make repairs and re-time the engine though.