Timing chain / rattle - how serious?

[BarryD]

Got a bit of a rattle from my 97 Explorer, mainly when cold and around the 2,500 / 3,000 rpm. It's got 68,000 miles on the clock and everything else seems to work fine.

I've heard of a chap on eBay around Aylesbury who will replace the belt for £650 or so - any other recomendations? I don't do a lot of mileage (it's a second car) but will put around 3,000 on it over summer.

 

[Howard]

It may be that all you need is the OOM12 kit. The parts run for about £50 and you can fit it yourself. I've done 10 so far and in every case it cured 99% of the rattle as well as helping with smooth running and cold start issues.

 

[Ian5700]

Take it to Howard, lol. You pratically live next door to him, you being in milton keynes.

 

[BarryD]

Cold Start issues? Funny you shjould mention that Howard - when it has sat for a day or two it spins and fires fine but then dies. Does this a couple of times and then starts OK, if I use it daily there are no problems. I'm loathed to gas it when it starts as being ham footed it would do 3K+ plus on start up.

Good job the battery is up to spec.

OOM12 eh... time to start the search function

Thanks.

 

[kands]

Looks like number 11 coming up Howard lol
By the way, thanks again for sorting mine out, my mate, in the garage trade up north, gave me some Forte..... It is a petrol additive that is apparently only available to the trade, shoved that in and gave it a couple of hundred mile run, well guess what??? Starts first time every time, no more rattles, runs as sweet as anything and is really smooth now.......
So a combination of your graft and my mates liquid magic and we are almost back to a new motor, one very happy Explorer lol

Keith

 

[roey]

It may be that all you need is the OOM12 kit. The parts run for about £50 and you can fit it yourself. I've done 10 so far and in every case it cured 99% of the rattle as well as helping with smooth running and cold start issues.

Mine has the 2500 - 3000 rattle ( more of a fluttering noise actually ) when cold . This goes once the engine has warmed . It is also fitted with the upgraded tensioner . Any ideas ?

 

[catfish_hunter36]

i have a 93 with hlp from friends we fit a gear drive timming in it some what loud but it works and i don't worry about it slipping

 

[Howard]

Mine has the 2500 - 3000 rattle ( more of a fluttering noise actually ) when cold . This goes once the engine has warmed . It is also fitted with the upgraded tensioner . Any ideas ?

It could be time to take it all apart and fit new chains and guides. Have you changed the oil recently ? Might be worth a try.

 

[Ian5700]

If you do a search there is a some talk about using different weights of oil to stop the rattle, if the updated tensioner still lets you down. I use 5W/40 fully syn., it seems to work quite well, the book has 5W/30 highlighted, but says 5W/40 is also suitable.

I also now fill up the filter prior to putting it on, as i have read a lot about it being more friendly to the chain, as the filter doesn't have to fill up before feeding the chain, thus not running the chain dry for a second or two. It is surprising how much the filter actually holds, you can get about a litre in there, if you let it soak in and then refill.

 

[Brianbbh]

OOM12 Kit

What does this kit actually do/cure?

 

[Howard]

The kit comprises of new 'O' rings and a revised tensioner. This cures the inlet manifold leaks and should ensure that the front chain is tensioned properly. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=487634&postcount=33

 

[Brianbbh]

OOM12 Kit

Thanks Howard, glad to see someone else is up and about early!

2 questions

1 How important is it to have done?

2 Can the average guy install the kit?

 

[Howard]

If you have a slight rattle at around 2,500-2,800 rpm when engine is cold or you have cold start problems or even a cel with lean mix codes then this kit should sort it out. Yes the average person can fit it if they have the tools and follow the instructions. I've done quite a few now and in every case this was needed, so I would say fit one anyway. Your engine will thank you for it.

 

[Brianbbh]

OOM12 Kit

Many thanks Howard, now its off to the web design seminar, in my Jeep!