tracymckibben
Member
- Joined
- April 18, 2008
- Messages
- 28
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2008 EB V6, 2000 XLT
After losing my baby to a blown head gasket (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=221981), I'm starting to bond with my "new" truck that I bought on Saturday. It's a 2000 XLT (pics forthcoming) with the 4.0L SOHC.
I knew every rattle, squeak, and vibration that the old truck made - I'm having to readjust and learn them all over again. The most obvious one is what I believe to be the dreaded timing chain rattle around 2400 RPM, hot or cold. Aside from that, the engine seems to be perfect, much more powerful than the old truck, no leaks, idles smooth as silk.
Considerations:
- engine has 174K miles on it
- intake manifold gaskets are new, replaced six months ago
- I'll only drive about 7000 miles per year with this truck
- I only paid $1900 for it
Should I put any time/money into resolving the timing chain issue (new guides, tensioners, etc.), or just live with the rattle? I understand it's likely a fatal condition should it break or skip, but realistically, what are the odds of that happening?
I knew every rattle, squeak, and vibration that the old truck made - I'm having to readjust and learn them all over again. The most obvious one is what I believe to be the dreaded timing chain rattle around 2400 RPM, hot or cold. Aside from that, the engine seems to be perfect, much more powerful than the old truck, no leaks, idles smooth as silk.
Considerations:
- engine has 174K miles on it
- intake manifold gaskets are new, replaced six months ago
- I'll only drive about 7000 miles per year with this truck
- I only paid $1900 for it
Should I put any time/money into resolving the timing chain issue (new guides, tensioners, etc.), or just live with the rattle? I understand it's likely a fatal condition should it break or skip, but realistically, what are the odds of that happening?
