Roughness in SOHC V6?

[BajaXplorer]

Just wondering whos got roughness when driving there SOHC V6? I'm really suprised at it with only 49 K on the motor. I just bought this in June, but it feels like its got quite a vibration or roughness when driving. Tires are balanced, the issue is there in neutral(when moving selecter to N when driving. I hope Im not in for a bearing or anything going bad. I wouldnt think the motor mounts are bad already? I'll have to watch the motor to see if it moves alot.

I guess I'll have to check my factory service manual for steps to find the cause of this roughness.

Its not a tire type vibration, but I feel it in the gas pedal. My old Ranger with the 2.9L/ A4LD did this as well and I never found out what it was?

 

[jimbo74]

I VOTED... yes, i have a 1994...but my mom has the 1996...hers is way smooth.... i cant even tell if it is started when i drive it....... she has 113k + on it and just had the heads replaced....

 

[BajaXplorer]

The SOHC just came out in 97 - you've got the OHV in both your Xplorers..

 

[jimbo74]

she has a platic thing that says sohc on hers..... over the throttle body....... and she has a conical ait filter.....

 

[BajaXplorer]

Then hers is a 97.

 

[jimbo74]

the title says it is a 96 and hers has a v6 sohc.... i dont know, maybe it was an early prototype version or something.... ill get pics this weekend of the engine and a photo of the title......

 

[Jim F]

There was a guy on this board, I believe he was in Australia, he has a 96 with a SOHC engine. So it is very possible to have a rare 96 with the V6 SOHC.

 

[Spas]

My X's SOHC gives me all kinds of grief and then some....the belt is incredibly cranky and sounds like a chain being dragged over a tin can, notably worse when I used the 87 grade gas ( been using 89-little better) He grumbles a bit at stops and idle.just enough vibration to annoy me....I get this oddball clicking from the tranny when I floor 'im.......anyone think that's my control trac kicking in? never been able to peel wheels..hmm. I had a problem with the thermostat (or so my mechanic at Goodyear tells me) that had my X revving constantly--the Rpms would jump from 500 to 1500 at idle. It doesn't do it so much anymore since the thermo got replaced, but it DOES still do it. I also have a remote start installed- I wonder if it might be interfering with the starter........?

Lin

 

[IgotTwo]

A while back I had the cam tensioner and O ring fixed under the recall. After a short time, many of the same symptoms, rough idle being one of them, returned.
I also have that "muffled mables" sounds from the engine on acceleration.

My 97 is currently in the shop for the next two days getting the cam guides replaced.
Hoping this will be the trick. Going on 56K miles of "not too impresive" engine performance.

I did voilate my own rule buying an new engine option in the first year it came out.

 

[leenjen]

why does the SOHC have so many problems?
i thought it was a more advanced engine. if i buy another explorer, i was planning on getting the SOHC. but i dont want to have all these problems. My mom has a 2000 XLT V-8, she has no problems with it. but i dont want to spend more $$ on gas than i do now, so i figured the SOHC was a good choice.

 

[espnfreak]

the 97-98's had a ton of problems, most of which were resolved and perfected by 2000-2001. so i'd consider a newer sohc ok to buy.
Anyways i dont shift to neutral anymore while driving because when i first got my x, i tried shifting to neutral down a hill to coast for some dumb reason and accidentally put it in reverse because i moved it too far. it made a loud sound, the tires schreeched and i stalled. i never would do that again, but my tranny has been running fine and i dont think it was good, but i baby my tranny from now on.

 

[IgotTwo]

"why does the SOHC have so many problems? "

I think you will find a post out there that went something like this (sorry I can't find it):

Ford needed an engine between the 4.0 and V8 for the Explorer line. Hence the 4.0 SOHC, came out in 97.

As I understand it they reworked and tweaked an existing engine block. In the process they ended up with 4?? timing chains to achieve the SOHC design and I'm sure a lot of other fast dancing by the design depart to get it out to market quickly.
I'm sure the destructive engineers also had a heavy hand in the process... plastic guides in the engine?... the list goes on...

"First year" "new design" had plenty of bugs... some not so small.

Why did I buy one in its first year?
I hope the "non plastic cam guides" make mine run better. I should get it back later today.

Buying the SOHC has been a big pain in the A%% right from the start. The extra power has not been worth it.

To Ford's credit they are fessing up to problems and fixing them.
(I know we'll get feedback on that one)

 

[BajaXplorer]

I too have felt that the SOHC is a PITA in my opinion and is a hassle to work on.
Actually Im almost double thinking why I wanted an Explorer in the first place.?

My whole goal was to get something a bit bigger then the Jeep Grand Cherokee (I'm still trying to sell) and get better mileage then the V8. I had the Jeep lifted with Bilsteins, BFGs etc. and it off roaded supurbly.
It ran pefect too with less issues then the SOHC. And there were no recalls on the JCG. On the X, I've had 5 ..so far

I researched the Explorers and figured, hey not alot of issues that I see, why not?

Well I know now for sure that the JGC is a better off road vehicle hands down. But the Explorer is bigger inside, and in the cargo area but the switches and knobs feel better on the Jeep. The switches and knobs on the Explorer feel dated and look like something form an older F100.

My X is 2WD as well and not AWD like the jeep.
I now I get better mileage in the X but not much.

Thats my rant on the SOHC/Xplorer.

 

[IgotTwo]

For what it is worth my 94 has been the greatest, a "gas and oil" car (about 78K). Its a "plain jane" XLT but the manual transmission with OD makes it a blast to drive and fast (in perspective). It also has much simplier techonlogy to deal with and a even 8? years later, i still think the design is one of the better of all the 4WDs. Finish and body have held up great. That was part of the lure for me to go for the second.

With the SOHC issues aside, the new ones are very popular and they generally have good track record. If I could put the SOHC aside, I would be in love with thing.
If I were king I would have gotten it with a manual, but it was not available with the SOHC grrrr that SOHC again.

The 4WD market has too many "glitcie" cars for me. Playing up the luxury car staus thing and big sticker price.

If if had better warranty service and less problems with the SOHC, I would have little to complain about. The fact that they have consistently sold so many for so many years is a clue not to overlook. I think?

No real point, just some radom thoughts.

 

[Spas]

Don't get me wrong-when my SOHC is running sans glitches, it just can't be beat. I raced a 00 Jeep Grand Limited thru 3 stoplights the other night, and kicked his @$$ every time-and he had a V8 (must suck getting your butt handed to you by a girl in a pint sized Explorer! ). But then again, I've reason to believe I'm cranking out a good 230 HP.
Most of the time it's a good, strong, slightly noisy engine...but not bulletproof like my ex-Ranger's 2.3.

 

[IgotTwo]

very true.... I have surprised many when stopped at a traffic light and some guy creeps up on your right, stops and thinks his is going to jump you off the light (pet peve)
I've "stomped" on mine and I KNOW I have surprised quite a few. I guess since I do not have a V8 emblem, he thought "this one is mine"........ NOT!
Yes, that is postive side.

 

[Spas]

Gotta love it!

Watch out Blazers, here I come!!!!!!
Lol

 

[IgotTwo]

Well for what it is worth:
Got my exploder back a few days ago from the "guide" recall. Again, I found the greatest dealer in Flemington NJ....no whining, no cry babystuff...straight up.

I gave it a few days before passing judgement, so here how it goes:
For the first time (and it took 56K mile to get to this point), I must say my explorer is now running very well.

Any minor little things aren't worth mentioning. I think a reset to the computer mod (do a "disconnet the battery 20 minute thing") may make it surpass its current state.

What a killer it took 56K miles!!! Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you!

From a post above: So I have been stomping on it one or two extra times. You know it does get out of its own way, pretty d^%$ good!

"The was done by a professional driver under controled road conditions....don't try this a home"

Right!! This guy tried to jump me from my right side when we were stopped at a light. I do hate that! What else could I do with my cruiser at top performance? Naturally..blew him away. Now, I can't do that every car on the road, but it good to know I ain't "a bottom feeder."

 

[Spas]

Amen to that, brother!

 

[jonny 5]

There are a few recalls for the X's with SOHCs, check a local Ford Dealer and have them check it.