Timing chain issue

[nugget68]

I am new hear and basically found this place because of the pinging valves that I learned from on here, is caused by the timong chain issue many are having. I called my local dealer and the quoted like $600 for labor plus parts. They seemed to know all about it too, so I guess its a pretty common problem with these 4.0 motors. I am pretty upset about it because my Explorer only has 44,x.. miles! has anyone ever had any luck with Ford doing this on their dime? I mean if my truck had 100,000 plus miles I could understand, but with 44,x.. I shouldnt have this problem. Well I will stop rambling, but if anyone has any advice let me know...

o yea, I almost forgot to mention the kicker...Truck will be paid off this month...*DOH*!!

 

[justchecking]

What year is it? Crazy or not, mine with 140,000 only has that noise with certain cheap oil filters. Mine has a Bosch filter on it now and does not have the timing chain noise.

 

[97awdx]

Its a common problem for the sohc 4.0. I have a 2001 limited that started rattling at 60,000 miles the chains finally failed at 145,000 miles. It bent the exhaust valves, its currently apart in the garage. And no, Ford will not pay for it, unfortunately. It's a TSB not a recall.

 

[97awdx]

Try this thread:

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163298

 

[nugget68]

I dont know if this will work yet, but I may give it a try. I was telling my Uncle about this issue yesterday because he has had some luck with dealerships fixing things not necessarily under warranty, he also has had them buy back a few cars. H mentioned to me that he thought there was a government mandated 100,000 mile warranty for any thing emissions related. I dont know if that is the case or not, but if it is, we could argue that the unburnt fuel passed by the valves not working properly are making the emissions oput put too high. I guess to validate this we would actually have to have the exhaust tested...do you guys think that this may work?

btw mine is an '04

 

[97awdx]

You can try, but your beating a dead horse. The exhaust and intake valves are still seating fine. The noise is the timing chain not at the correct tension, so, at worst, the timing will be a little off.

 

[nugget68]

You can try, but your beating a dead horse. The exhaust and intake valves are still seating fine. The noise is the timing chain not at the correct tension, so, at worst, the timing will be a little off.

so you are saying that the noise just sounds like vavles, when in fact its the timing chain?

 

[97awdx]

Yup, see the tensioners are oil pressurized, that's why the rattle is more prominent at start up. It almost sounds like spark knock or heavy pinging. Ford has come out with an updated tensioner as well as a updated chain guides, because they sometimes like to fall apart. Is yours 2 or 4 wheel drive? And you have a 2000, right.

 

[nugget68]

Yup, see the tensioners are oil pressurized, that's why the rattle is more prominent at start up. It almost sounds like spark knock or heavy pinging. Ford has come out with an updated tensioner as well as a updated chain guides, because they sometimes like to fall apart. Is yours 2 or 4 wheel drive? And you have a 2000, right.

mine is a 2004 4x4 flex fuel...

 

[papo020]

Is the noise we're talking about here almost like a rattle type noise at start up when the motor is cold? That's what I'm getting. It will only rattle when the engine is completely cold. Are you saying that it's the tensioner (tensioner pulley) that needs to be replaced? Also, will a better oil filter & oil possibly stop the noise as well? Thanks for the answer guys!

 

[papo020]

bump up to the top!