V6 SOHC Explorer Mechanic in Colorado

[knockaboutman]

Just picked up an Explorer today and it has a slight tick to it. I think it might need work to the timing issue that comes with the SOHC. I got the truck for 3500 so I just wonder if I should drive it until it just blows up.

Shame, because it is in nice condition except for the tick of death.

Anyone know of a shop here in Denver that can work on timing chain issues for a good price?

 

[briwayjones]

Is it the '93 Explorer in your profile? If so it has a OHV not SOHC engine. A tapping or ticking is basically normal with the OHV engines. Nearly all of them start doing it at some point without anything being wrong with them.

 

[knockaboutman]

Just bought a 99 Limited SOHC. The ticking is coming from the bottom.

 

[AspenX]

I was hopeing you didn't just pay $3500 for a 93.:

A 99 Limited sounds like a nice truck.

 

[knockaboutman]

I have talked to several shops and dealers and they said just run some high quality oil and filter and put some BG MOA in it. Should lower the ticking noise and maybe get about 30K to 50K miles out of the motor.

I think I will change the plugs and run 91 Shell gas in it for a bit.

Although, I just might be arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!

 

[Joe Dirt]

No way- a "high quality oil" and a filter and additives will not net you more miles than the failing tensioners dictate themselves. It isn't a knock, so the gas won't help at all.

Simple fact- you could get 50,000 miles or 50 feet out of it, no way to tell. If you're planning to keep the truck, you need to fix the tensioners. There isn't a cheap and easy way out of it...

This is a current discussion for someone else with the same issue: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284970

 

[knockaboutman]

Well, I will let you know what comes from it, but the truck is not worth the money to do a full rebuild on the timing.

Plus, it might be a lot more than the tensioners. Just mask the ticking and drive it till it dies!

 

[toypaseo]

My ex-neighbor in Fort Collins (I moved) works on stuff in his garage, mostly on the weekends. He used to work at the local Ford dealership. He owns a 91-94 Explorer. He has done all the work on my Explorer since I got it a few years ago. His hourly rate is about half of the shops average rates around here.

If you want to talk to him about getting some work done, PM me and I'll contact him. Let me know specifics, and I'll pass the info on.

 

[Joe Dirt]

May want to post your city on your profile, might be a member nearby that has a similar offer like Kent's if you're not close enough to him...

 

[Naasau]

If you need a mechanic, my family has used "Your Favorite Mechanic" up in golden. They have always done good work and while they aren't the cheapest, I feel like they don't screw people over either. Their # is (303)279-7102