Same old story - start up rattle

[kernowman]

No I haven't done the OOM12 kit

If you are doing the front tensioner, you are halfway there. You should really do the 'pencil' restrictor in the oilway next to it at the same time. As you are pulling at least the upper inlet manifold to get at the tensioner, best to replace the gaskets as in most cases they get knackered with age for some unknown reason. While the upper manifold is off, eight more torx bolts will see the lower manifold off and the gaskets for this can be replaced. This is the OOM12 kit in a nutshell, as far as I can tell. (Never bought the whole kit myself, just made it up from seperate parts - made the mistake of doing the 'pencil' thingy on its own originally and then had to strip down later to do the tensioner). With regard to the gaskets, reckon it is important to do these - if you see other posts, I am not the only one who suggests this. Howard, who has done many of these kits, will also stress the importance of doing them.

 

[CDW6212R]

...
Is it recommended to do this OOM12 kit on every model 4,0 SOCH engines?

Do it for all pre 2002 SOHC engines. The kit comes with a check valve that did not come in the earlier engines. Do the two timing chain tensioners every 75,000 miles or less. There is a mechanical spring inside that does not last long enough, that is a lot of the minor rattling problems. Regards,

 

[Velocity4x4]

i think the oom12 kit only consists of front tensioner plastic pencil and upper and lower inlet manifold gaskets

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, that "plastic pencil" is the check valve which is critical for an engine that didn't come with one in the head. The kit only comes with the upper intake gaskets, the lower gaskets are not critical to do on the SOHC.

There are up to five tensioners(4WD) in the engine, the two that are exposed outside the heads are the easiest to change. Those do not require retiming the engine either.

 

[kernowman]

I think we are all beginning to realise the importance of the rear tensioner - previous posts on the forum over the past few years seem to only concentrate on the front one (OOM12 kit). The rear one certainly stopped my rattle - had been in for 108,000 miles.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, the same spring inside each is what weakens over time. Who know if they can make a spring for those that will last 150k without weakening.

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

chains/guides on mine where done in 1999 at 044000 miles, it been rattling only at idle, since we had it nearly 3 years.

 

[icom]

Hi icom, I see you are from the US. Was there not a recall in your country for the timing chains, or at least for the tensioners? If yours rattles for a while after startup, it is worth looking up a few of the threads on this forum regarding the front timing chain and guides, as a change of either front or rear tensioner might not necessarily cure the problem. As you are probably aware, there was a problem with the chains and plastic guides for a few years of production - hence the Ford recall.
With regard to oil, I am no expert, but was recommended to use Mobil 1. To me it is a superb oil, although tends to be expensive as all good things are. Can't vouch for any other fully synthetic oils, although if a good make should be just as good. No doubt others might have opinions. Hope you can cure your 'rattle'.

I don't know.. and probably not for the Ex I have anyway( salvage rebuild)

I probably wont keep the thing but a couple months anyways ;as soon as I can find a decent Grand Cherokee priced right,I'm getting one,and the Ford's going,honestly,I should have NEVER bought it:thumbdwn:

 

[CDW6212R]

The rest of the truck is great, and it will outrun the V8 Explorer, or that Grand Cherokee. Pick one with the suspension that you need and are comfortable with. That and the make which you like to work on(experience). Regards,

 

[Velocity4x4]

my front tensioner still aint here yet wanted to fit it before sunday .......long drive

 

[kernowman]

my front tensioner still aint here yet wanted to fit it before sunday .......long drive

Thats tough mate - perhaps it might come today. Don't forget to go carefully when you put the upper manifold back - it is so easy to snag one of the gaskets - that is what had happened to mine when somebody had worked on it previously. Have a great day Sunday.

 

[Velocity4x4]

soted noise gone

well it turned up today toke anout 45mins to fit and now all sounds good (touch wood) because id allready done the restrictor ive got a spare one so if any one wants it just pm me your address and ill post it out .....first come first serve.................im not going sunday now damm

 

[kernowman]

Well done - lovely feeling when you stop the rattles, isn't it Pity about you dropping out tomorrow - trouble is work rules these days - I know the feeling, haven't a chance of getting away at this time of the year beacuse of friggin work. Have to do it though when you work for yourself - we all need to eat (and run an Ex).

 

[Velocity4x4]

being your own boss aint all its cracked up to be is it.........lol if i go ford fair ill probably lose out on about £300 worth of work plus the cost of getting there and back all in all a day trip to silverstone could end up costing me £500 i just cant justify it..............

 

[kernowman]

A lot of people seem to think working for yourself is a doddle - it certainly ain't. I have the added disadvantage of being 10 miles from Land's End, so Silverstone on a one day trip is impossible - day up, day there and day back is what I would need. Looks as if the lucky lot who are going, are going to have an early start - hope they all have a great day.

 

[lammy68]

I also have this noise on start up. Like you say, just for a split second. My explorer has only covered 33,000 miles. i didnt even realise these engines have a timing chain at the back as well as at the front. ive learnt more about my car since being in this forum today then i have since owning it.
good luck, hope you figure it out.

 

[kernowman]

I also have this noise on start up. Like you say, just for a split second. My explorer has only covered 33,000 miles.

You are lucky to have an Ex withh only 33k on the clock
I gather from reading various posts that timing chains problems seem to occur at around the 70,000 mile mark or before this.
If you haven't got the later front timing chain tensioner and 'restrictor pencil' fitted, would suggest you do this. 'Prevention is better than cure' they say, and with an Ex, a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[lammy68]

Cheers mate, sounds like a good idea. I have some mechanical knowledge so would you say this is somehting i could do myself maybe?

 

[gwar]

Just seen this on ebay, he's not kdding when he say timing chain is starting to wear thru

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Explorer_W0QQitemZ260282231834QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item26028223

 

[kernowman]

he's not kdding when he say timing chain is starting to wear thru

Is that what they mean by positive crankcase ventilation