Do I really need a new engine?? Help!

[satre]

Hi All,

1998 Explorer XLT V6

Just got it a couple of months ago, 188K miles, LOTS of work done on engine (by my brother in law) and it has a new rough idle and clicking sound like a valve tapping. Mechanic said that the cam timing at the rear of the engine had to be set before he could go further, and that it had to be done at the dealer.

I called the dealer and they said it would cost $700 just to look at the timing, and he thought the engine was probably destroyed anyway.

My question, could it really be that bad? It seems to run OK, and how much would it cost to replace the whole engine? Should I just do that without going to the dealer?

HELP, and Thanks!

 

[thedogzeus]

Satre,

I'm a new Explorer owner, so I can't offer much specific advice about the Ex V6.

BUT, an engine is an engine, and over the years I have had a fair bit of experience in fixing (and destroying!) various engines.

The sysptoms you describe, do not sound like a Cam Timing issue to me. You would typically experience not just rough idle, but very poor acceleration and performance if the Cam timing had jumped. Rough idle alone is much more likely an issue with one of the multidue of sensors that control, idle speed and fuel mixture. Or even a simple service item like plugs, leads etc.

The rattle may well be in the timing chain area, as I have read the explorers suffer from a poorly designed tensioner that fails and causes the chain to become slack. Hence the rattle.

I know there is a kit available to replace the cam tensioner, about $200US I believe. You would need a fair degree of mechanical experience to do the replacement and a ford cam timing tool (available on eBay for about $30).

Some of the more experienced guys on here will be able to give you more detailed (and better!) info.

Personally, no way I would be jumping into a new engine, unless I was made of money and/or there was a conrod poking out the side of the block.

Good Luck.

 

[my98nnj]

Hi All,

1998 Explorer XLT V6

First - Which engine do you have, SOHC or the pushrod motor?

 

[satre]

Oh sorry, it's an SOHC. Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[pwrshft99]

It seems the hot swap for the sohc 4.0 might be a used 05-09 mustang V6... pretty similar engines and the newer ones seem alot more reliable..

 

[2000StreetRod]

rough idle & clicking

Hi All,

1998 Explorer XLT V6

Just got it a couple of months ago, 188K miles, LOTS of work done on engine (by my brother in law) and it has a new rough idle and clicking sound like a valve tapping. Mechanic said that the cam timing at the rear of the engine had to be set before he could go further, and that it had to be done at the dealer.

The mileage and year makes your vehicle a good candidate for a broken rear timing chain guide assembly. Find another mechanic who is familiar with the engine and has the timing tool set or diagnose the problem yourself.

SOHC V6 Timing Chain Inspection & Repair

I called the dealer and they said it would cost $700 just to look at the timing, and he thought the engine was probably destroyed anyway.

The dealer's not interested because the total repair cost would probably exceed the value of the vehicle.

My question, could it really be that bad? It seems to run OK, and how much would it cost to replace the whole engine? Should I just do that without going to the dealer?

HELP, and Thanks!

If it still runs OK then the timing hasn't slipped and the engine has not been destroyed. The chain is probably just loose and slapping against something. However, it could slip and your valves could get bent at any time. I would never replace the engine without determining what's wrong first. Ask your brother-in-law if he ever replaced the rear timing chain. The engine has to be pulled to do it.