Question about SOHC rattle repair

[RonnieFinchumJr]

My 2002 Explorer is experiencing an awful rattling. A mechanic told me it was the timing chains and related guides/cassettes, whatever. I bought the complete kit with four new chains and all the guides and stuff and he pulled the motor and changed them all out and put it back in and it's still doing the exact same thing. He's trying to sell me a 2005 4.0 SOHC motor to replace the one that's in there (very cheaply) the only problem is that it's a 4x2 and my explorer is 4x4. Does anyone here know what the problem could actually be (besides him just trying to sell me the other motor?) and would there be any "issues" with swapping in a 4x2 motor on a 4x4? Thanks and forgive me if I should post this somewhere else.

 

[2000StreetRod]

balance shaft

The difference between the 2WD and 4WD engines is the 2WD does not have a balance shaft and the 4WD does. Many members have replaced their balance shaft engine with one that does not have a balance shaft and noticed no difference. The balance shaft is supposed to reduce vibrations at certain engine speeds in 4WD.

Did you purchase a quality timing chain kit or a cheap aftermarket kit? Some of the kits on eBay are OK and others are junk. Has your mechanic ever successfully replaced the timing chain cassettes on a Ford SOHC V6 before? It is a fairly complicated process if done correctly. Did he use the OTC 6488 timing tool kit for the installation?

In my opinion if you forced the mechanic to install a cheap kit then you're liable for the consequences. However, if the mechanic was not familiar with the engine and installed a quality kit incorrectly then he's liable.

 

[RonnieFinchumJr]

Many thanks

Many thanks. He's telling me now that he should've taken the motor apart piece by piece to see if any of the broken guide pieces ended up doing more damage or were scattered inside the motor.
It was a pretty cheap kit from ebay. I was just trying to squeeze a few more miles out of this explorer and then trade it in. I'm on the road (or was) quite a bit for work and i've run up quite a few miles on it the last couple of years. I really appreciate the quick reply. Thanks again.