New member/owner! Probs with 99 ex sport

[jsun]

Hello,

I'm new to the whole Ford reliability thing as I have always been a true and dedicated believer in the older gen. Toyota Supras!

Anyway, I bought myself a 99 Explorer Sport 4.0 Sohc w/72k kilometers. I have been experiencing a few discrepancies since I had it for the last two months. I decided it was time to take it back to the Ford dealership that I had purchased it from, to see what they would be willing (no extended Warr) to do for me.
They are and were willing to honor the service for me and were only able to fix a few of my concerns.

The remaining concerns I have are these:

At idle, the engine runs at about 900rpm until the cooling fan kicks in. engine then drops down to ~5-400rpm with a tin clanging rattle at this point from the engine bay. I notice the sound from the pass area around the belt tensioner, & engine to torque converter mounting? The dealer flushed the coolant, Checked the oil pressure, and re-set the computer. I still am left with the same problems. I would like to have some indication as to what may be wrong to have them look at? Engine runs great other wise!


Then I have a strange thump from the rear end, but I think I have this figured out thanks to your archives! I believe this is the slip yoke requiring lube? Correct? no prob for me to do if needed.

Any help with the first issue would be greatly appreciated, as I fear for the worst to come.

Excellent site BTW!!! I have spent hrs-researching material, and I'm not close to being done...

 

[GJarrett]

Originally posted by jsun
... engine then drops down to ~5-400rpm with a tin clanging rattle at this point from the engine bay. I notice the sound from the pass area around the belt tensioner, & engine to torque converter mounting?...

Welcome to the site. Before you worry about this being something expensive, be aware that the SOHC is a high revving engine and with that many miles can idle rough when at those low RPMs, shaking it a little. That could shake some other stuff.

Have you crawled under it to make sure the sound isn't coming from the bottom of the vehicle? A "tin clanging rattle" sounds like a loose catalytic converter shield to me. Mine did it too (until I tore it off ) The cat shield can vibrate its little mounting welds loose over time and rattle against the cat, making that sound. BTW, it is on the passenger side where you hear the noise coming from. Wiggle it to see if it is loose, then rip it off or reweld it back in place.

Hope that helps.

 

[jsun]

Thanks for the tip! I'm not a 100% on the heat shield thing...I have had probs with other cars and their heat shield, and this sounds more internal.

But hey…I could be wrong, I will definitely check on your suggestion.

The engine only has about 55K miles! ~77K kilos.

I'm luvin the truck! But I just don't want to be worrying about it this soon. Other than theft or something along those lines, and not mechanical.

Thanks again!!!

 

[tenikiwon]

You mentioned the tentioned. What about the idler pulley. I have a crazy noise and was similar to the SOHC problem and it ended up being the bearing in teh idler pulley.

 

[bentley]

Originally posted by jsun




Then I have a strange thump from the rear end, but I think I have this figured out thanks to your archives! I believe this is the slip yoke requiring lube? Correct? no prob for me to do if needed.


Yes thats the problem had the same thing proplem on my 98 sport. lubed it up and no problems since.

As far as the other problem i had a similar problem and it turned out to be the upper and lower manifold gaskets. Ford extended their warrenty on these to 72,000 miles. due a search for 00M12 you will find lots of info

 

[jsun]

Thanks for the replys!

I've looked into the issues and archives of 00M12, & also 01M01, but these symptoms seem to only occur before norm operating temp of engine, then things apear to be tickity boo...

My symptoms on the other hand, only occur when the enging is warm...Once the cooling fan first clicks into operation, RPM's drop from 900 down to ~500RPM.
Then it's a noticible idle rattle >: (

Could 00M12 be related to this? If so, can someone forward the softcopy of the letter sent to all ford dealers exclaiming the repair work to be done?

Any other input would greatly be appreciated, as the dealer is hounering the service to be done at no charge, but can't put a trace to it???

Thanks!

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by jsun

My symptoms on the other hand, only occur when the enging is warm...Once the cooling fan first clicks into operation, RPM's drop from 900 down to ~500RPM.
Then it's a noticible idle rattle >: (

What do you mean by the "cooling fan" kicking in?? Do you have an aftermarket electric fan?? Are you sure the click isn't your A/C compressor?? Does the engine do this with the HVAC controls on OFF or PANEL(Vent) positions??

 

[jsun]

Tom,

I assumed it was the cooling fan, but no it's 100% stock.
I thought maybe A/C fan, but it does this with the heating/cooling system off? So this is why I presumed the cooling fan.

About 1min after start you hear a click, something engaging (AC compressor?) then the result is low idle and rattle.

I've tried every variation with the heating/cooling settings inside, and do not notice any difference.

Thanks for the response!

 

[jsun]

Just hung up the phone with the dealer, and they are going to bring the vehical in for the remaining repairs. >P No cost!

The service tech was indicating that the rattle is caused by the timing chain requiring adjustment, and that 00M12 is only related to cold start rattle. I had also metioned about greasing the spline yoke end with grease, and they agreed. So...do you guys/gals think this rattle could be caused by a loose timing chain?

BTW...what is normal Idle operation? 9-850RPM?

Cheers,
Jason...

 

[Howard]

Normal idle speed is stated as 736+-50 with electric fan switched on. Taken from my owners manual.

 

[TPLYNCH]

01m01 is the program for the timing chains I believe.

 

[Bashman]

Glad to hear the dealer is willing to help you out, and welcome to the site.

 

[jsun]

Thanks to all who replyed!

Once the dealer calls for an apointment, and the work is done, I will post back regarding the service performed for those who will need this info down the road from now.

Again thanks!

Peace! Bless the U.S....

 

[Coke734]

The problem you're having is because of the timing chain, I searched for 4 months for what was making that horrible noise (mine wasn't just during idle, it was while I was driving too ) and I took it in and the techs knew exactly what was wrong, couple hours in the shop and *poof* no more annoying rattle Good luck!

 

[jsun]

Thanks Man!

It's actually in the shop as of this morning...so, we will wait and see.

This is what the shop mech's hqad thought also.

Cheers.

Will keep all posted when I recieve word.