Timing Chain Issue

[Bgunit68]

Hi, I found this site from a web search. About 10 months ago I bought my 02 Sport Trac. I got it from my Subaru Dealer. I have a Tribeca and was in getting service and saw the Sport Trac. I needed a second car so I bought it. I did a Carfax on it and found it had 2 owners. The last one only had it for a few months now, in hind sight, I now know why. I've been hearing a rattle almost like spark plug knock. I was also having noise from the suspension. I purchased an extended warrantee on it, thank God. I brought it to my Subaru dealer and asked about both problems. They said the ball joint was bad and they replaced it. They said the other problem they believe there is a tsb on it, which thanks to this site I found out there is. They said they would have to bring it to a local Ford dealer. The Ford dealer said it was just a fuel issue and he wouldn't work on it. My Subaru Service Manager took it back and asked them if they were aware of the tsb and say he didn't believe it was a fuel issue. They changed the fuel filter when I bought it and I only use Mobil Gas. They didn't want to hear it. What can I do? The rattle is on cold and hot engines. It starts about 2400-2500 rpm. It becomes louder the harder the engine works. It sounds similar to spark plug knock. After reading a few posts on here it does sound like a chain dragging over something. I still have 16 months and 22,000 miles on the warrantee. But I don't want to get stranded somewhere with a blown engine. I don't want to sell it and stick someone else with the problem. Plus, I really like the vehicle. I'm 6'8" AND 290 and I fit quite well. I really hope someone could help or give me and idea what to do. Thank you.

 

[chad551]

Go to another Ford dealer, or ask if you can talk with someone who has a brain... Ford will fix that problem. Mine has been done already.

Chad

 

[Bgunit68]

Thank you. The dealer they went to is a little shady anyway. There are 3 others in this area. I'll ask my service manager from Subaru (who the warrantee is with) to bring it there. Thanks again, very much.

 

[celtic1mike]

Timing chain rattle

I own a Tribeca too!

Harmonic Balancer went bad May 2009, just under 19,000 miles on my 2004 ST! Left my family and I stranded on I-95 in Philadelphia. Ford has sold a lot of replacements but won't issue recall or TSB. The serpentine jumped off the balancer pully and landed on the rubber mount of the balancer then ate through the sensor.

Jan 21, 2010:
Started up the ST, no problem. Drove one block, stopped at stop sign. Made right turn and acceclerated, then the ST died; 22,000 miles. Just before it lost all power in the engine, I heard what sounded like a turbine quickly decelerating. Now I turn the key, hear the starter clicking, and nothing happens with the engine. Towed to FORD dealership. There was a rattle just before this happened.

FORD service dept. rep called me late yesterday and said it may be attributed to poor installation of harmonic balancer, possibly not torqued correctly; sounded like pasing the buck. He needed permission to pull the front of the engine apart to look inside, I gave him a green light to do so.

He just called today and said the "key way and sprocket" are bad. He said they come in a kit with a new timing chain; parts and labor after a freindly discount: $925. The truck is already there and apart, so I gave them the go ahead to fix it. Normal price would have been about $1100. Sucks to be me!

Strange, they have a "repair kit" to fix this partiular issue, but FORD says there is no problem with the engine! Harmonic balancer goes bad, fix it with new and improved one. Then this happens, fix it with new and improved parts from a "repair kit"! There are no known problems with this engine....more BS from FORD!

Time to call FORD customer service I suppose.