Bought an '02 Explorer 4.0L last year, what do I need to know?

[SgtSpike]

Just wanted to know what to look out for as far as specific maintenance items, things to look/listen for, beneficial modifications, etc.

A couple things I've encountered thus far...

The differential clutch pack chatters a bit when making turns. It was a lot worse when I first bought it, but the dealer I bought it from changed the fluid and it almost disappeared. It is very slight now.

We heard a rattle at 2.5k RPMs. I read it was the timing chain, and could be caused by low/bad oil. Changed the oil to some mobile 1 synthetic and the sound went away. It is slowly coming back now. I am wondering how much of a concern this is? Should I just keep changing the oil every 5k and call it good? Or do I need to have the timing chain replaced before the engine self destructs?

 

[Tyleryac]

there are thousands of topics with the exact same question.

 

[Reklaw]

Just wanted to know what to look out for as far as specific maintenance items, things to look/listen for, beneficial modifications, etc.

A couple things I've encountered thus far...

The differential clutch pack chatters a bit when making turns. It was a lot worse when I first bought it, but the dealer I bought it from changed the fluid and it almost disappeared. It is very slight now.

We heard a rattle at 2.5k RPMs. I read it was the timing chain, and could be caused by low/bad oil. Changed the oil to some mobile 1 synthetic and the sound went away. It is slowly coming back now. I am wondering how much of a concern this is? Should I just keep changing the oil every 5k and call it good? Or do I need to have the timing chain replaced before the engine self destructs?

Bought my '04 back in September. Found out the heater blend door motor is notorious for breaking a gear. Also, the fresh air intake door likes to break off and block airflow from your HVAC blower. I did have 2 noisy front wheel bearings that needed replaced.

That's just what I learned since September.

 

[drdoom]

Rear axle/independent rear suspension eats parts.