No reverse and random timing chain rattle (98 Explorer SOHC)

[FPGT24]

Hey all i picked up my neighbor's 98 Exploder XLT for $750 a few days ago. Its clean as hell inside and out and its loaded up with leather and sunroof.

The SOHC V6 runs great but once in a great while, ill start it up and it will have a timing chain noise, it can be heard in the cabin. All i have to do to get it to go away is shut the engine off and start it back up, then the noise goes away completely. Weird, huh? Anyone have any idea why it does this?

It also has no reverse. It does nothing when you put it into reverse. The engine will go down like 100-200 RPM for a second like its going into reverse and then nothing happens. Ive read that this is probably a snapped reverse band in the trans. Anyone know for sure? And what will need to be done to it to get reverse working again? Its inconvenient driving it as a daily driver with no reverse.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Two things.

1) Your timing chain noise is most likely the front tensioner. When it starts up "cold" there is a starvation of oil going to it. This is why when you shut the engine off, then start it again, you don't hear anything.

2) My reverse band snapped too. This is a common problem. Unfortunately it's pretty labor intensive to repair the band, so I just had the whole transmission rebuilt (I had 100k miles at the time anyways)

A way to test the band is to put the shifter into manual 1st gear. Drive down the street to about 4,000 rpms then let up on the gas. If you have "engine breaking" then the band is still good. These two both share the same band.

 

[FPGT24]

Two things.

1) Your timing chain noise is most likely the front tensioner. When it starts up "cold" there is a starvation of oil going to it. This is why when you shut the engine off, then start it again, you don't hear anything.

2) My reverse band snapped too. This is a common problem. Unfortunately it's pretty labor intensive to repair the band, so I just had the whole transmission rebuilt (I had 100k miles at the time anyways)

A way to test the band is to put the shifter into manual 1st gear. Drive down the street to about 4,000 rpms then let up on the gas. If you have "engine breaking" then the band is still good. These two both share the same band.

does this mean that the timing chains are bad?

i did that, and there is no engine braking, it pretty much returns to idle when i let off the gas. i dont really want to replace the trans because it shifts like new. but i guess i dont have many options.

 

[Steeda90GT]

It could mean a bunch of things, really. The cassettes could be bad too. The chain could be stretched. There is a fix from Ford called 00M12 I believe. It comes with a longer tensioner rod, which really just puts more tension on the stretched chain, making it noise free. It's not a complete fix, but more like a band aid. I have some timing chain noise too (since 50k miles ago, about 6 yrs ago) and I've been adding a small bottle of STP oil treatment per oil change since then. It's significantly quieted down the noise (yes I know it's not a fix, but this is only a $2,500 vehicle...so it's virtually dispoable to me)

The trans thing was a bummer for me too. My reverse band snapped, and the mechanics wanted roughly $900 to replace it (including a trans service/flush) Everything else on the trans was great. It was $1,500 to have a completely new trans installed, tax and everything. So this was a no brainer for me. My vehicle had 100k miles at the time, so I knew that the trans wasn't a "spring chicken" so to speak.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Timing chain rattle resolution

. . . The SOHC V6 runs great but once in a great while, ill start it up and it will have a timing chain noise, it can be heard in the cabin. All i have to do to get it to go away is shut the engine off and start it back up, then the noise goes away completely. Weird, huh? Anyone have any idea why it does this? . . .

The following thread may help: Timing chain rattle resolution process - SOHC V6

If the intake gaskets have never been replaced then installing the 00M12 kit might be a good first step. If you have less than 150,000 miles on the odometer I would suspect the primary (crankshaft to jackshaft) chain tensioner. Especially if the rattle happens above 2,000 rpm when the engine is warm.

 

[FPGT24]

The following thread may help: Timing chain rattle resolution process - SOHC V6

If the intake gaskets have never been replaced then installing the 00M12 kit might be a good first step. If you have less than 150,000 miles on the odometer I would suspect the primary (crankshaft to jackshaft) chain tensioner. Especially if the rattle happens above 2,000 rpm when the engine is warm.

it has 188k miles. i assume the intake plenum gaskets were replaced because it runs smooth as silk when its cold started. my 97 Explorer with 223k miles ran extremely rough when cold started it would revv up and down like crazy. the intake plenum gaskets were shot on it.