Blown Engine 2003 Ford Explorer, Vehicle Starts and Drives; What is / going to happen

[rojocru]

Hello. My vehicle started making noisy sounds when I arrived home last week Friday. I didn't hear it again until this past Saturday (two days ago). I took it in to one place, but the guy at the mechanic place was not able to look at it. He said that he thinks it should be a chain in the motor. It may be the front or the back.

So, I took it to another place, and they checked the oil and saw that it was dry. They added some and checked the level, but it still was dry. They added some more and got a reading. The noise still persisted. They told that the engine was blown. They asked me before if the Check Engine light was on, and I told them no, which they were also able to verify after putting in oil.

As things are right now, the vehicle starts and drives, but it makes a lot of noise. Today when I slowed down on the road to make a U-turn, the vehicle turned off --the steering wheel was locked and lights were on. I turned the key in the ignition backwards to me to turn the vehicle off (though it was off already, except for the lights --you know what I mean). I then turned the vehicle on and continued with my journey worrying that it will turn off again.

So, what's happening and what will happen if I continue to drive the vehicle?

Will it stop suddenly / quickly while I am driving at let's say speeds of 30 to 50 something miles per hour or will it lose power / turn itself off gradually so that I can at least pull aside?

Will other parts of the vehicle --alternator, transmission, etc. become damaged?

etc.

I currently cannot afford a new engine right now. In about 3 to 6 weeks time I think I should have enough for the engine and labor, assuming that labor will be $1,000.

 

[rojocru]

Don't know if this extra info helps in answering the questions, but I will mention them just in case:

It's a V6 engine, with the 8 "digit" being K (flex fuel) and the vehicle is a 2 wheel drive.

 

[Exproblems]

Hello. My vehicle started making noisy sounds when I arrived home last week Friday. I didn't hear it again until this past Saturday (two days ago). I took it in to one place, but the guy at the mechanic place was not able to look at it. He said that he thinks it should be a chain in the motor. It may be the front or the back.

So, I took it to another place, and they checked the oil and saw that it was dry. They added some and checked the level, but it still was dry. They added some more and got a reading. The noise still persisted. They told that the engine was blown. They asked me before if the Check Engine light was on, and I told them no, which they were also able to verify after putting in oil.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The "chain" in the motor the one mechanic mentioned would be the "Timing Chain". If the timing chain is shot it needs replacing, providing it hasn't damaged anything else in the motor yet. From what I've read in here about these Explorers is that some of them have problems with the plastic chain guides that surround the timing chain, they can break apart into pieces and foul up the motor or blow the motor. Since your vehicle was quite low on engine oil or "dry" on the dipstick, this condition, lack of engine lubrication may have led to the timing chain guides to get damaged, causing the noise you now hear. Probably not a good idea to drive or run the vehicle any further at this time until it can be looked at thoroughly by a qualified mechanic. At the very least if this is your problem, you are looking at replacing the timing chain and it's guides and at the very worst, you need a new engine or a used or rebuilt one. I'm surprised you didn't get some kind of low engine oil warning from the vehicles sensors. Also, include what year your vehicle is, mileage and if it is 4x4 when describing your vehicle in here, it helps those trying to give you advice because they may have owned a similar model and have experienced the same symptoms. Good luck with that engine.

"

 

[pet575]

If you live in an area where you have a few other choices for shops, don't go back to the "you have a blown engine" shop.

 

[northside]

I had the same problem couple yrs ago. While driving to work, i noticed my temp guages went to 'hot' then i noticed smoke coming from the back of the hood near the wipers. Fortunately i was close to my job, pulled over and noticed oil dripping underneath the truck. I opened the hood looked around and found a half-dollar size hole in the rear of the engine cover. The timing chain broke. During the drive to work, the truck felt sluggish but it did not die. I believe if i kept on driving, the engine would have caught fire. My truck was paid off at the time so i bought a new engine from ford(everyone tells me should've bought Jasper) no problem since just the annoying rattling noise.

 

[northside]

I forgot to add that i had no warning before the timing chain broke.