help now please

[lshappiness]

2000 ford explorer xlt is shimmying and has a muffled helicopter noise

have changed spark plugs, fuel filter and flushed and block radiator


Could this be manifold gasket or engine crack?


how long till final breakdown? is it safe to drive?

 

[fordman61]

have you done a compresion check of the cylinders

 

[my pos mounty]

Does the loise sound like air under under pressure leaking out with a rythm to it and gets louder when you step on it? Does it sound like a rumble when it is idling when your standing outside the truck? Walk around the truck and listen near the front tires. It could very well be a cracked exhaust manifold.
Does the ruck actually feel like it is shimmying?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you have a mechanic's stethoscope?

 

[fordman61]

yes