SOHC 4.0 Longevity (Or lack of?)

[stilbo]

I've talked to several full time professional mechanics, Ford dealer service and independant, about the 2002 4.0 SOHC. Even a Ford mechanic said "It ain't exactly a small block Chevy". OUCH!

Seems like the valve train has had fairly high failure rates....

I'm still not sure why my 2002 4.0 is spitting exhaust from #6 INTAKE valve into the plastic intake manifold... But whatever it is I'd bet that it's valvetrain related, right?

What the hell would cause a five year old engine with only 73,000 miles on it to fail so horribly?

I've owned two Gen I and two Gen II Xps and I've put nearly 200, 000 miles on each of them with no or very minor problems and only at advanced mileage.

Did Ford design a lousy SOHC V6?

Maybe I should try to adapt a pushrod 4.0 into my Gen III?

 

[aldive]

Did Ford design a lousy SOHC V6?

Not in my opinion. Mine has served me well.

 

[XtremeRanger]

My Mom has a SOHC in her 98 Mounty and it has around 180K+ on it.....

 

[Jakee]

I've talked to several full time professional mechanics, Ford dealer service and independant, about the 2002 4.0 SOHC. Even a Ford mechanic said "It ain't exactly a small block Chevy". OUCH!

Seems like the valve train has had fairly high failure rates....

I'm still not sure why my 2002 4.0 is spitting exhaust from #6 INTAKE valve into the plastic intake manifold... But whatever it is I'd bet that it's valvetrain related, right?

What the hell would cause a five year old engine with only 73,000 miles on it to fail so horribly?

I've owned two Gen I and two Gen II Xps and I've put nearly 200, 000 miles on each of them with no or very minor problems and only at advanced mileage.

Did Ford design a lousy SOHC V6?

Maybe I should try to adapt a pushrod 4.0 into my Gen III?

The 4.0 SOHC engine is a very good engine. It's holding up to 9 LBS of turbo power boost for me and I haven't had a problem.

Every engine will have an owner where horrible things happen and I'm sure it's frustrating. But, the majority will have a good running engine for a long time if properly kept up.

The OHV engine is good too but you'd be making a big mistake by trying to swap in that lower powered engine.

 

[xxajxx]

I am up too 236K and have had no probs so far, just kept up the standard service intervals.

AJ

 

[frickea86]

4.0 SOHC has had its problems with the oil check valve problem which was a huge design flaw. But, to be honest, I think the intake on the SOHC is the best Ford has ever designed, it has changed over the versions but it is just a very efficient flow from what I've seen data wise.

The oil check valve problem which was the only major problem has finally been fixed since Ford brought the Sport Trac out. I mean your always going to have more problems due to more moving parts compared to an OHV, you just can't help it. I have 135k on mine now and I can honestly say I've not been nice to it through the years and it has been used as a towing vehicle for most of its life.

In my opinion, the biggest disadvantage is the transmission, although it is a "better one" then its predecessors, but thats not saying a lot. If you keep up on the maintenance everything should stay nice but you do have mishaps.

Good Luck to you.

 

[tonyroc14]

I've got 270k on my dads 98 sport. Aside from stupid stuff, iacv, thermo housing, nothing at all has gone wrong. This thing sounds and drives like it's brand new. That's more of a testimate to the transmission I think. We do give it meticulous maintenance, and he drives about 150 miles a day.

 

[03explorerL]

He is only talking about the newer designed 2002 4.0 SOHC MOTOR. Read...
EDIT: to everyone who has posted so far...

 

[tonyroc14]

He is only talking about the newer designed 2002 4.0 SOHC MOTOR. Read...

I did read, if you read you would know I wasn't the first to talk about the older engine.