Please help! 2002 Explorer 4.0 V6 Engine

[ddodge21]

I am new to the forum and was hoping I could get some advice. I have an 02 Explorer that one day wouldn't start. It turns over and sounds like it wants to. I did some trouble shooting and determined that it was not the fuel pump, replaced the fuel filter and next step was the spark plugs but it was too cold and I don't have heated garage space so I took it to an auto shop close by. They told me that the engine was no good and that the rear passenger timing chain was completely off and blew through. I was also told that with the amount of labor hours it would take to determine if the engine was even worth rebuilding, I was better off buying a reman or used engine. The SUV only has 96k on it. Is it worth getting a second opinion? Is this unusual for this year/milage? Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I'm stuck on what I should do at this point. I was quoted $2k for good motor with 105k on it which included the install.

 

[2000StreetRod]

compression test?

Compression test results will indicate if the timing chain has slipped or is broken. No or low compression on all cylinders on one bank indicated the timing chain for that bank has failed. No or low compression for both banks indicate the crankshaft to jackshaft chain has failed. The shop probably did a compression test. Ask about the readings. At least one forum member reported timing chain failure as early as 45K miles.

 

[Number4]

Try a wrecking yard for a used engine. One that has them pulled already. This would be the easiest fix, drop it in.

 

[ExploreDeep]

Actually, you need to go an engine expert. This just happened in my truck at 79k. The rear timing casseste and chain both snapped. Would've costed 1900 to fix just the timing sets. Solution? Rebuild. If you caught it in time aka not driving it AT ALL when it happened, you can and will be able to rebuild it. Costed me 2100 with labor. Hope it helps!