Possible 'death rattle' in 3rd Gen 4×4 Explorer 4.0 SOHC

[ExplorerRider]

Well, for the 1st time ever, after getting a jump at Walmart yesterday, I heard what sounded to me like the death rattle coming from roughly the rear-center to rear-center-left (rear=back toward the windshield... Center-left=center or a little toward the passenger side, if at all) area of the engine. Drove thru town & home, which was roughly 5 mins & a 2 or 3 miles. Went out 20 minutes later... Noise still present. HOWEVER(!)... Went outside today @ abt 4:00, did the 1st or 'cold' start of the day & IT WAS AS QUIET AS COULD BE! I recently picked up the two external tensioners, that can't be bought thru RockAuto, from the local Ford Mo. Co. parts dealer & the most knowledgeable & well-equipped shop in town installed them for me for $100 bucks while installing an aluminum thermostat housing. And it ran juuust fine ever since he did it - abt 3 or 4 months ago... Til now. Also, I ABSOLUTELY KNOW that I need a new blend door actuator. Also, while my A/C will get good & cold on a 75° or 80° day... After that, I can tell its 'struggling' moreso, which I'm mentioning "just in case." ANY & ALL FEEDBACK WILL BE MIGHTILY APPRECIATED! THANK Y'ALL IN ADVANCE! (Has new Motorcraft ignition coil, plugs - double platinum w/iridium core - & wires, w/STP high performance air filter & in-line Motorcraft fuel filter & oil filter w/full synthetic Valvoline & a bottle of that 'new' synthetic STP Oil Treatment. I run nothing but 93 octane Mobil gasoline & STP Octane booster) HELP!!!

 

[jwolfe]

It’s not a death rattle. If you drive a 4.0 at some point you need to do the chains front and rear. If you don’t the engine will be toast. It’s cheaper than a new car. Just do the chains.