NEED HELP! PLEASE RESPOND!

[MichaelF]

I have a '97 SOHC V6 with the timing chain tensioner problems. I have read with great dismay the strings concerning this. I am wondering if mditto, TEC-1, rockyboy, or if anyone else has been able to get this resolved. I took my explorer in four times under warranty with no resolve. I finally had to pay to have the tensioner replaced out of pocket, clattering noise returned within a week. I have been very frustrated. Every time I take it in for routine service, I ask them to check it, they plug it into a computer, no codes spit out, I'm out $60. I have asked the dealership if I could meet with the regional factory representative, they promise to call me when he stops by. They never call. I remind them monthly. Recently I met a guy that just purchased a used '97 EB. He took it to a different dealership than the one I use for a complete service. He began to notice the dreadful sound. He took it back to the service department and was told that it checks out normally. Last week he threw the timing chain, lost his engine. I took mine into that dealership know that they have seen what can happen. They want to replace the tensioners, belts etc. When I told them that it was done once already by another Ford dealership. I was told that to the best of their knowledge none of it was ever replace to begin with. It still had the original parts. We took some digital pictures to prove it. I have called Ford customer service @(800)392-3673. It is a joke. They won't let me talk to anyone who matters, nor will they give me any other phone numbers. What should I do? Who can I talk to? Should this not still be covered? It was unresolved when it was under warranty. Will this fix the problem? Has it already done permanent damage. How do I address the other dealer?. In my family there are 7 explorers and two expeditions. FORD JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Get a lawyer. If what the other Ford dealer says is true, that other dealership broke he law. Sue the pants off of them. Dead Link Removed
And yes, they must tell you who the area rep is. You could also ask the other dealership. don't let this go unnoticed.

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[Cameron]

Do you have a local newspaper? What about the town's Camber of Commerce? Don't give up. There is an old saying, "The squeaky door gets the oil". It's true. Once that dealership starts getting bad publicity, you'll be surprised how quickly you get your way.

------------------
97 Sport.
Twin turbo 4.0
0-60 3.2 seconds
Quarter Mile 9.98 seconds
816 HP
Okay, maybe not yet. But I can dream cant I?

 

[Marty]

Do not ask the dealership if you can meet with the regional rep, ask for the reps name and phone number. If I am not mistaken, legally, they must give it to you. If not file a complaint with the BBB, and then go to the lot when they are at their busiest with customers that are looking to buy vehicles from them, and then in a nice but well projected volume begin describing your problem to the nearest employee. Keep doing so until someone will actually listen.

Marty

 

[LMExplorer]

MichaelF,

Can you tell me the cost to have the Camshaft tensioner replaced at the dealer ship? I'm told that it is quite pricey and time consuming.

 

[ERIC]

I agree with Marty...talk to the BBB. I went that route once, and it was successful. These dealers know that some people will call BBB for an evaluation before buying a car, and most people have enough sense not to buy from anyone with "unresolved issues." Also, the BBB should be able to help you better know how to get the arbitration process started with Ford. My experience has been that the manufacturer's are NOT pleased to find dealers screwing the customer...unhappy people tell EVERYONE how they were done over (just like you have) and that hurts future sales. Most dealers, as i understand, stonewall customers on warranty work when they can simply because it doesn't pay as good as non-warranty. Anyhow, go the BBB route and you may find some relief. And please let us know how it does for you. Good luck!!!

 

[MichaelF]

Tensioners

As of today, my explorer has been at the dealership for three weeks. It seems that there is a back-order for replacement tensioners, even though the original ones supposedly are not defective. Total cost should run about $1200-$1500. Ouch! You say you had to have a rental the whole time it was in the shop. Add $750. Ouch! That's over 2K and still counting.

 

[Jeff S]

Wow! I called my dealer today for an estimate on the canmshaft tensioner replacement and was told about $300 - $350. Pretty cheap! I'm getting the work done this week. I'll keep everyone posted on the results.

 

[MichaelF]

Proceed with caution! Your dealership is probably replacing one tensioner, which most likely will not fix your problem. If you read my originating post, I also had the $350 fix from my first dealer. This did not solve the rattle for more than a week. I will get an in-depth explaination from my service guy, Mike Ward. I don't think many of the dealers out there really know how to fix the problem. Mike has done a great job for me so far, with little or no help from Ford. Good Luck!

 

[Robert]

I've had mine replace twice on my '97 while under warranty. Each time they replaced them, they were supposed to be using recently, revised parts. The noise has came back each time. It has been more than 12K miles since the last replacement so Ford say's I will have to pay this time. The noise is louder than ever with 54,000 miles on it. I just hope my extended warranty will cover it if something bad happens before I hit 100K. They have an exclusion for items that have been issued a TSB so if my engine blows due to the cam problem, I doubt that they will pay. Wonderful Ford quality and service

Robert

 

[Jeff S]

Okay, now I'm mad! Has anyone out there had this problem resolved? I am seriously thinking of driving to the closest Jeep dealer and trading in for a Cherokee! I know I will get lots of flak for that comment, but what gives????

 

[LMExplorer]

Folks,

Watch out when repairs are being done for this problem. If the noise is still there this may happen to you.


"It's definately harmful! My 98 sport SOHC had the same problem. At first they tried telling me it was the Injectors, then it was the alternator, then, when it was finally doing it all the time, they discovered it was the tensioner. So, they replaced the tensioners. Problem fixed... until three days later, when the noise returned, even worse. Took it back in, and it turned out that the debris from TWO sets of worn tensioners had also caused the oil pump intake to become clogged, and therefore a lack of oil pressure. Cost Ford a new engine (2000 model engine, with a design change to supposedly correct the problem). I picked it up on Christmas eve and everything had been fine since... until last week, that it... now it started doing its diesel impression on start-up, and when idling hot. What a piece of CR@P! Thank God for ESP!!"

That was from the General Explorations forum.
It looks like even a new engine does not solve this problem.

I think the word needs to get out so this does not happen to other potential Ford Explorer owners, Since Ford doesn't seem to care or want to help.

Has anyone been able to have this fixed correctly?

 

[MichaelF]

Well...its been four weeks and I still don't have my Explorer...Who needs it! I look great driving my magenta Mercury Mistique loaner. My maintenance department wants to take a cutting torch to it, and see if they can stuff some 31 X 10.5's underneath it. I think the dealer, who has actually been very helpful is getting a little nervous. At this point Ford has offered to pay for the repair, the use of the loaner, and all but $500 on an extended warranty.

The parts all came in last week. Finally! They got the engine put back together and then I got the call. "Mr. Powers, We got your Explorer put back together, but it still does not seem to be running right. We had better hold on to it for a couple of more days." Has anyone ever tested the off-road ability of a Mystique?

Any suggestions? Is it time to dump it?

 

[slow-demon]

Next time you bring your truck to the dealer for service have them also check the "oil pressure." If the oil pressure is low it will also cause the tensioners to rattle. Also make sure the oil pressure is checked with the engine hot.

 

[mrboyle]

Just a note about the BBB. Filing a complaint with them can sometimes (actually most of the time) be a waste of your time and energy. Once you file the complaint the BBB will send a copy of it to the party you are filing aginst, giving them the oppertunity to respond with an explanation (their side) of what occured. The BBB then reviews their responcs and makes a decision on weither to file your complaint aginst the other party, or to just drop it. Either way, that is as far as it goes. If the other party is found guilty of defrauding the customer they are not punished, sanctioned, fined or forced to reconsile with the customer. they just get a bad mark on their record and loose their plaque for that year.

 

[ERIC]

While it's true the BBB does not carry a big stick, the existence of numerous "unresolved complaints" against a dealership hurts their business. There are people who check with BBB before purchasing, and I can't imagine someone dense enough to continue with a sale when a dealer has a bunch of unresolved complaints. Additionally, if you are having to discuss continuing dealer problems with the area rep, and the dealer has a bunch of BBB check marks against it, this is worth passing on to the rep. I had such a situation (Chrysler product...NEVER again) and the rep definitely brought it to the dealer's attention. So, yeah, the BBB is no cure all, and if the rep is no help, small claims court is perhaps a better option. (Anybody ever had success with the Dispute Settlement Board?) But it doesn't take a whole lot of effort to lodge a BBB complaint, and in some cases it can help.

 

[Jon98sohc]

I have had mine replaced twice. Each time it sounded better for about three months. When it was in the last time I had a chance to talk to the tech. working on my explorer and was told to buy the extended warranty if I planned to keep it after warranty. He also told me he had replace motors as early as 3000 miles and showed me that very explorer with no motor in it.