Same old story - start up rattle

[kernowman]

I have some mechanical knowledge so would you say this is somehting i could do myself maybe?

No problems - quite a simple job. You will find a lot of info in this and other threads on the forum. I assume it hasn't been done by a previous owner - have a look in from the front under the upper inlet manifold - on the corner of the right hand cylinder head when viewed from the front of the car you can see the large hexagonal nut which is the top of the tensioner - if it is flat it is the old type. The new type has a cylindrical bit on it.
When I did mine I disconnected the battery first then any necessary electrical and vacuum connections. I then took of the throttle body leaving the cables connected and moved it to one side. There are eight Torx screws holding on the upper inlet manifold which then can be pulled off, again disconnecting anything that stops it being removed. The chain tensioner can be removed using a 27mm socket and replaced with the new one. Next to the tensioner is a oilway plug which can be removed with a T30 Torx. Use a long extension to get in straight to this and make sure the Torx driver fits nicely in the head of the plug, as this can fill up with dirt. The thread is slightly tapered so can be a bit tight - hence the need for making sure you are firmly in the head of the plug. Then just drop in the restrictor pencil. As they say in the best of manuals, assembly is the reverse of what you have just done - however, don't skimp by putting the old inlet manifold gaskets back as you will probably end up with all sorts of problems. Also, take care when putting in the new ones, making sure they remain properly in place and do not get snagged up.
Honest, all this sounds far worse and more difficult than it actually is.
I also replaced the rear one - that only takes ten minutes or so. My front took and hour and a half, but then I had to remove all my LPG injectors etc. first.

 

[Velocity4x4]

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

wow i bet thats noisy pmsl
i still have the restrictor pencil if any one wants it i dont want nothing for it just your address will do

 

[jamesc777]

glad this is on i will be doing my rear tensioner next weekend

 

[kernowman]

Good luck - let us know how you get on.

 

[tturben]

rattle noise

Yes I have 2000 Ford Explorer with 4.0 sohc motor and when I start it sound like a lil rattle noise in the front on one of the bottom pulley the fan belt goes around, it's not to loud but can hear it when u drive and when u push on the gas doesn't really go away.

 

[janolsson]

Yes I have 2000 Ford Explorer with 4.0 sohc motor and when I start it sound like a lil rattle noise in the front on one of the bottom pulley the fan belt goes around, it's not to loud but can hear it when u drive and when u push on the gas doesn't really go away.

Hey Ben (?)
I Doubt it is one of the pulleys though not unheard of. To check you could whip off the fan belt and start it up to see if it still rattles, with the caveat that you shouldn't run it for more than a few seconds as the waterpump runs off the belt.
You are more than likely looking at the front main chain rattling and or possibly the balance shaft chain. The tensioners for both of those break. It could also be the front cam chain cassette. If you search for threads by 2000Streetrod, he has done a guide to inspecting the chains.
Jan

 

[tturben]

I"ll try and do a vid of it, but kind of sounds like it's coming from alternator, but it's really hard to tell cause it's not that loud but it don't go away u hear it all the time.

 

[chrystal]

have a look in the oil filler tube. when mine were rattling I got a build up of crud just by the oil cap

 

[tturben]

No haven't look there yet keep sounding like it's coming from alternator like a bearing is lose, then I somewhat hear it down at the bottom of motor in front, but it's not that loud really.