New Owner Questions (Rattle, RPM, Tie Rod Boot, Rear End)

[Falcon99]

Hello all. First time Explorer owner here, although it is my 4th Ford, and one of 3 I now have sitting in the driveway. I have already found so much information here on the Explorer Forum, and spent several hours reading through all the excellent posts.

I was looking for a used SUV for family trips, we have already taken it to Hilton Head, and I purchased a 1999 Eddie Bauer last month. It had 103,000 on it already, which is more than I wanted, but deals are hard to come by.

1.) Unfortunately, it has the 4.0 SOHC in it. Now that it has begun to get colder, evidence of a rattle is now present. I can't pinpoint where it is from, my best guess is the primary, or jackshaft if I have been reading correctly, chain. I looked through the oil cap to see the front chain and I could see the tensioner and guide side pressing against the chain, and from what I can figure the tip of the guide under the other side. There is nothing I can see in the middle of the chain and it was the reddish color plastic. I know that the proper way is to take the valve covers off, but I have never attempted engine disassemble myself, and do not have a garage at the house. I dropped the oil pan and found no evidence of plastic in there either, but that does not mean anything, it was just a place to look. I assume the dealers know how to fix these things the best since they have assembled a kit for the poor design. My question is would they take the engine out to replace the front guides? If I do take it should I just have them do all the chains and guides? From what I read approximate cost for this is around $1500.00? Unfortunate for a couple of parts that cost a few dollars.

The rattle does not begin immediately at start up, it takes a minute of running and then it starts to make noise. The only sound I can think it would be a chain and it is much more noticeable from underneath the engine. I have not heard it while driving and the engine idles at 500 RPM, if that is normal.

2.) My other issue (other than that annoying airbag light) is a hum that I think is from the rear end. It is a constant hum, constant pitch, and not related to speed, but appears only when any amount of gas is applied. You can hear it best around 30 - 40 mph, but only because of the speed you are going and not drowning the sound. Any thoughts?

3.) While I was dropping the oil pan, I noticed a tube that appears to run between the tie rod boots. One end of the tube is disconnected, and I have not attempted to return it. Does anyone know what this tube does?

I have pictures of the truck, and the tube if anyone wants to see what I am talking about.

Thanks for any input you have in advance, I look forward to being an excited Explorer owner.

 

[janolsson]

1) you could try replacing the tensioners front and rear (some good how to on 00m12kit and rear tensioner) as they can get tired. As you dropped the pan i assume you did an oil change, was it 5W30 you put in as this is the spec and a heavier oil will effect the performance of the tensioners
2) check level of oil in rear diff
3) breahter for the front diff?

 

[Falcon99]

I have read, several times, the posts on the kit and thought about the tensioners and wondered if that would help but thought that even with the worn tensioner would the chain rattle as long as the guide was good?

I just had the oil changed, so I drained it into one of those jug oil pans and then ran it through a screen as I put it back in just in case. (I figured that would be okay to do.) The oil shop did put in 5w30 high mileage.

I'll check the rear oil tomorrow and post what I find.

Still don't know about the tube. Maybe it is a grease transfer for the steering boots on the tie rods?

Thanks.