Do the 98 SOHC's have plastic cam chain guides?

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Hi all. I'm looking at a 98 Sport tomorrow. I don't know which engine it has, but I'm worried about the dreaded tensioner problem. Does anyone know what model year that Ford fixed the tensioners?

Thanks for any info.
Don

 

[Robert]

You are talking about two different problems. The plastic cam chaing guides were used on SOHC Explorers from the introduction through '98 Explorers built through 9/18/98. The noisy camshaft tensioners affected all SOHC Explorers & Sport Tracs built from the introduction through 4/7/00.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Thanks Robert. Those dates are good to know. I can now be selective in the models to look at.

I assume that the noisy tensioner problem is not as serious as the plastic guides. Is this correct? And are they hard to change out, when the noise becomes unbearable?

I've done a search on this subject, but there seems to be a lot of confusion about it....

Thanks again!

 

[Robert]

I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to Explrorers built after the dates. Just be sure that whatever you get has already had the updates done. My '97 Explorer has the same tensioners that they put in the 2002 Explorers. It just took Ford three times over 50K miles to get them in. When mine started making noise, it sounded like a diesel when I first started it up and lasted a couple of minutes. Ford claims that the noise is merely an annoyance and causes no damage. Now the camshaft chain guides are another issue altogether. Mine haven't failed, but supposedly once they do you will recognize the noise. It is supposedly a very loud rattling noise coming from the front of the engine. The noise doesn't go away after 5 minutes and can be heard even when driving down the road. Mine still has the '97 guides, but if you find a '97 or '98 that has had them updated per ONP 01M01, it will have the current metal guides that are supposed to be more durable. Ford also classifies this problem as "usually" just an annoyance. However they do have some documented cases of engine damage if the guides fall apart to the point of getting into the engine or throwing one of the chains off. If this happens, then a new engine will be needed. Again, just be sure whatever you get, has had both procedures applied (00M12 & 01M01) and you should be fine. Ask to see the service paperwork on whatever you buy.