Timing Belt

[Maverick 1791]

I am the original owner of a 02 Ford Explorer with a 4.6L V8 engine with 190K miles. I have never changed my Timing Belt. Ive had zero problems and have found nothing in the Owner manual indicating when it should be replaced?

What should be done about replacing it? What would happen if it breaks? Engine sieze?

Love this vehicle & want to keep it for at least another 3 years.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[Big Ed 1]

Looks in great shape.
That engine has a timing chain, not a belt?

 

[Maverick 1791]

I am the original owner of a 02 Ford Explorer with a 4.6L V8 engine with 190K miles. I have never changed my Timing Belt. Ive had zero problems and have found nothing in the Owner manual indicating when it should be replaced?

What should be done about replacing it? What would happen if it breaks? Engine sieze?

Love this vehicle & want to keep it for at least another 3 years.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

View attachment 462972

View attachment 462973

Are you sure? I believe I read somewhere that Ford started to switch over to timing chains in the 02 model year? I believe as my mechanic told me it eas a belt NOT a chain? Its a looong serpentine belt.
P.S. Thanks for the compliment!!

 

[fordysenior]

The serpentine belt is the belt you can see when you lift the hood. It wraps around the alternator, a/c, power steering, etc. The timing chain is inside the front of the engine. I have the original chain in mine, at 154k miles. My owners manual and my Chilton manual do not give any scheduling intervals to change the chains. I think people just do it when they start hearing some slapping noise happening. I"m pretty sure the 4.6L is an 'interference' engine -- if the chains break, the valves and pistons will collide and cause damage (but I don't know if that's true from experience).
Those tires look nice, are they a little wider than the stock size?

 

[Maverick 1791]

The serpentine belt is the belt you can see when you lift the hood. It wraps around the alternator, a/c, power steering, etc. The timing chain is inside the front of the engine. I have the original chain in mine, at 154k miles. My owners manual and my Chilton manual do not give any scheduling intervals to change the chains. I think people just do it when they start hearing some slapping noise happening. I"m pretty sure the 4.6L is an 'interference' engine -- if the chains break, the valves and pistons will collide and cause damage (but I don't know if that's true from experience).
Those tires look nice, are they a little wider than the stock size?

Your explanation sounds right on. Never heard of the term “interference engine”? Any recommendations on changing the serpentine belt other than inspecting it for cuts or fraying? At 190K am I running on borrowed time?

The tires are Michelin LTX MS P245-70Rx16 mounted on 16x8” aluminum wheels.

The tires are my 3rd set. The aluminum wheels are 1” wider than stock. Handles & rides better because of the foot print.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge & experience with me.

Ken

 

[wollimann]

23 years old, first owner, no scratches, very good shape, zero problems
sounds unbelievable. Good maintanance over the years!

Timing chain, manufacturer never give information when to change them.
But i am shure they have information about it. In my mind it depends of engine oil maintanance and oil quality,
the usage of the gas pedal and heavy trailer towing.

Timing Components: Service and Repair — 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W.

charm.li

Drive belt, last 60000 miles and up

Drive Belt: Locations — 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W.

charm.li

Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview — 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD V8-4.6L VIN W.

charm.li

Good luck for the future and have an ear on timing chain rattle.

 

[Maverick 1791]

Thank you & God Bless!

 

[Big Ed 1]

Are you sure? I believe I read somewhere that Ford started to switch over to timing chains in the 02 model year? I believe as my mechanic told me it eas a belt NOT a chain? Its a looong serpentine belt.
P.S. Thanks for the compliment!!

The long serpentine belt like mentioned is on the pulleys. You can see it, the chain is behind the chain cover on the front of the engine, it takes some time to replace it.
The belt is easy to replace, on top of your fan shroud you should have the sticker showing the belt routing.
If you see cracks on the belt or excessive looseness you should replace it. When it goes you will lose whatever the belt drives.
You won't blow the engine.
If the chain breaks you can damage the engine, but you should have warning signs/noises before it breaks.
If you have that many miles on the belt and never replaced it I would get a new one to have so you don't get stranded on the road somewhere.
I would install the new belt and keep the old one as an emergency replacement.
Not hard to install at all.

 

[Maverick 1791]

Big Ed, are you a mechanic or just a self taught Explorer expert?
Do you own an Explorer?

I like the way you talk about replacing & keeping a spare belt.

Other than the normal dings & nicks, I followed the maintenance schedule to the letter. It hels that a good portion of the vehicle is aluminum so no rust even though I live in Illinois.

I’ve been good to her & in return she has been good to me!

 

[Big Ed 1]

Big Ed, are you a mechanic or just a self taught Explorer expert?
Do you own an Explorer?

I like the way you talk about replacing & keeping a spare belt.

Other than the normal dings & nicks, I followed the maintenance schedule to the letter. It hels that a good portion of the vehicle is aluminum so no rust even though I live in Illinois.

I’ve been good to her & in return she has been good to me!

I am no way an expert, but I have always been mechanically inclined.
I have a 2002 explorer 4.0.v6 same color, 1999 F150 4.2 v6, and a Ford Fusion.
Some things like the serpentine belt apply to a lot of vehicles. I try (stress try) to fix all my problems myself.
Especially now a days when everyone is out to hose you for as much $$$$ as they get get.

I am a wheelman, a tanker Yanker, Hazmats for most of my life.
5 years hauling new cars, and way back when it was flatbeds hauling old gauge Railroad items, we specialized in scenic RR stuff.
Bought a 1977 Pete in 1987 and rebuilt or replaced just about everything in it, talk about work. lol
I did have help with some things and the use of a shop to work on the Pete.
I ran Hess fuel oil and diesel for 5 years, then I hauled chemicals for a distributer in Philadelphia for 5 years.
My Pete, picture took in 1999 when I sold it.

The red and white PU in the driveway was mine,1977 F100 full size Ranger, had a 460 big block, the motor and trans was set up for heavy weight towing.
I sold it years ago.

I should have kept the Pete and made it into a camper! With the work I put in to it. A classic, you don't see many cabovers anymore.

 

[Big Ed 1]

5 years hauling new cars, it was too much work and too much away from home so I went back to hauling chemicals in tankers.

Old Red,

 

[fordysenior]

Just for FYI -- See attached link : 4.6L issue
Also, do you have an early model 2002, or later model 2002. My "early" model has the oil fill tube on the drivers side of the engine. The later models have it on the passenger side. There is a certain manufacture date that is the cut off, but I don't remember what it is.

 

[Maverick 1791]

Just for FYI -- See attached link : 4.6L issue
Also, do you have an early model 2002, or later model 2002. My "early" model has the oil fill tube on the drivers side of the engine. The later models have it on the passenger side. There is a certain manufacture date that is the cut off, but I don't remember what it is.

Mine is on the driver’s side. I picked it up on 10/4/2001. Manufacturers date is 9/01

 

[Big Ed 1]

Thank you & God Bless!

Could you do me a favor and give me the code number off your sticker for your paint color?
I don't seem to have any stickers on mine to look at.
Your color looks to be the same.
Thanks

 

[Maverick 1791]

Could you do me a favor and give me the code number off your sticker for your paint color?
I don't seem to have any stickers on mine to look at.
Your color looks to be the same.
Thanks

#LD / M6763 Medium Wedgewood Blue Metallic.

A couple of years ago I tried to find some online with no luck. Thankfully I have 2 bottles of touch up paint left.

Good Luck & God Bless

 

[Big Ed 1]

#LD / M6763 Medium Wedgewood Blue Metallic.

A couple of years ago I tried to find some online with no luck. Thankfully I have 2 bottles of touch up paint left.

Good Luck & God Bless

Thanks, I found this on Amazon Amazon.com
I found the same can elsewhere for $8'50for an 8oz.

Thanks
Paint is not cheap! I used to haul chemicals to Rustoleum and got paint at a discount.
I found other sites with that blue, touchup and in quart or pints. Not cheap!
My roof needs painting, and it is showing a little rust in spots, so I guess the roof is not aluminum.
Is the code number off your sticker the LD/M6763?
Like I said i looked all over for a sticker and can't find any, I am the original owner.

 

[Maverick 1791]

Thanks, I found this on Amazon Amazon.com
I found the same can elsewhere for $8'50for an 8oz.

Thanks
Paint is not cheap! I used to haul chemicals to Rustoleum and got paint at a discount.
I found other sites with that blue, touchup and in quart or pints. Not cheap!
My roof needs painting, and it is showing a little rust in spots, so I guess the roof is not aluminum.
Is the code number off your sticker the LD/M6763?
Like I said i looked all over for a sticker and can't find any, I am the original owner.

The number is off the door decal. Im pretty sure I got it off of the driver’s side door or the pillar?

 

[Maverick 1791]

Thanks, I found this on Amazon Amazon.com
I found the same can elsewhere for $8'50for an 8oz.

Thanks
Paint is not cheap! I used to haul chemicals to Rustoleum and got paint at a discount.
I found other sites with that blue, touchup and in quart or pints. Not cheap!
My roof needs painting, and it is showing a little rust in spots, so I guess the roof is not aluminum.
Is the code number off your sticker the LD/M6763?
Like I said i looked all over for a sticker and can't find any, I am the original owner.

 

[Maverick 1791]

Your Cabover Peterbuilt looks like the one that BJ ran on the TV Show “BJ & The Bear”. His was red I believe.
Remember? Lol!!!!

 

[Big Ed 1]

Your Cabover Peterbuilt looks like the one that BJ ran on the TV Show “BJ & The Bear”. His was red I believe.
Remember? Lol!!!!

That was a 1978 Kwopper (Kenworth) a K-100 Aerodyne.
That sleeper was a lot larger than mine was.
It's wheelbase was at 180", mine was stretched to 200".
And mine was a 1977 Peterbilt, both had full leather interiors, unlike some of the junk they build now a days.