Is the 4.0 engine any improvement over the previous gen model?

[Austin Healey]

I'm looking at a 2003 Explorer, and wondering if its 4.0 liter, SOHC V-6 is any improvement over the previous generation.
I own a '97 Explorer w/ the same engine (apparently), and its problems include:
--plastic timing chain guide that broke and fell into the oil pan.
--what sounds like cracked exhaust headers (and/or worn-out gaskets between headers and block) that will be a major PITA to replace.
Does anyone know if either of those engine problems -- or any others -- were addressed when the 3rd generation was launched for the 2002 model year?
All comments appreciated.

 

[Number4]

The OHV 4.0 has the timing issue at least through 2005. I would presume all the way through the 4th Gen.

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm looking at a 2003 Explorer, and wondering if its 4.0 liter, SOHC V-6 is any improvement over the previous generation.
I own a '97 Explorer w/ the same engine (apparently), and its problems include:
--plastic timing chain guide that broke and fell into the oil pan.
--what sounds like cracked exhaust headers (and/or worn-out gaskets between headers and block) that will be a major PITA to replace.
Does anyone know if either of those engine problems -- or any others -- were addressed when the 3rd generation was launched for the 2002 model year?
All comments appreciated.

That 03 SOHC V6 is the same as your old 97, which was the first year of it. That 4.0 did not change materially internally, the same valvetrain issue exist in the last of them also, in 2010 I think they killed it off.

The OHV 4.0 was a very good engine overall, and neither V6 has bad exhaust manifolds or gaskets. So your old 97 was unusual for that.

The latest Ford V6's are very good now, except for the internal water pumps(of all of the ecoboost versions). I hope to see some of the late 3.7's swapped into older Fords like your Explorer, I think it should fit.

 

[Austin Healey]

The OHV 4.0 has the timing issue at least through 2005. I would presume all the way through the 4th Gen.

My question was actually about the OHC version, but good to know about the 4.0 OHV problems (or was that a typo?). If not, what's the OHV timing issue -- belt or chain? (The OHC engine has a chain.)

 

[Number4]

My question was actually about the OHC version, but good to know about the 4.0 OHV problems (or was that a typo?). If not, what's the OHV timing issue -- belt or chain? (The OHC engine has a chain.)

I was referring to the SOHC engine, not the pushrod engine.