what are peoples experience with driving with the SOHC timing chain rattle?

[rocket22]

Here is the deal, I bought a 2000 Explorer for a whole $800, the truck is in ok shape, the PO was freaked out by the turn signal failure and was sick of dumping a lot of $$$ into the truck. So I have a great running truck (safe and lots of newer parts) but has the timing chain issue. The truck is a little rusty and I use this as a beater for hauling stuff. I am hoping to get 6 months to a year (10K miles) out of it.

I am not thinking of going through the efforts of replacing the timing chain parts, is there anything I can do to possibly quiet the noise or extend the life without opening up the engine. Not that I cannot, I had a 1995 that I needed to repalce the lower intake gasket so I have some knowledge.

Is there any possible adjustment that I can make with limited efforts? What is the most common failure point? I am looking for some real world cheap fixes.

Otherwise, when this breaks, I can the junkyard for the first 400, part out some of the car for the next 200. So then I spent $200 for a beater for a few months and it pays for itself. If the car body was nice I would try to fix, but this truck is end of life and its next stop is the junkyard.

 

[Sedition]

If you only want to get 10k miles out of it, just change the oil now then run it into the ground. Some people experience the timing chain rattle for 100k miles before they do anything about it.

Depending on what the rattle sounds like it is possible a new hydraulic tensioner can help although there is still going to be broken peices of plastic rubbing against chains and smaller peices floating around the engine.

 

[sportblack99]

Just pulled my engine and did the chains. Had the rattle at 2000 to 2200 rpm. Was quite a job to undertake. Just do to the chains and rust i dont see why its at the end of its life. Drop aother 400 and get another 100k miles outta it. My 2¢

 

[koda2000]

bought an '01 just about 12 mos ago. Had about 130k on the odo then. had rattle at start up and after warmed up. that was 35k ago. noise is worse, especially at start up, but still going. i've been changing the oil every 5k. i figure i'll run it til it dies and then find a relatively low mileage '05 mustang motor to put in it.

 

[Steeda90GT]

I've had the rattle since 94k miles, 2007. Today, 5 yrs/50k miles later at 150k it's still running strong. Every oil change, I put a half bottle of STP oil treatment. This really quiets the rattle down to hardly noticeable.

Unless you have the time/skills/$$$ I wouldn't bother replacing the chain.

 

[98EdBomber]

Just pulled my engine and did the chains. Had the rattle at 2000 to 2200 rpm. Was quite a job to undertake. Just do to the chains and rust i dont see why its at the end of its life. Drop aother 400 and get another 100k miles outta it. My 2¢

I am thinking of tearing into my 98'(156K) this week. Im getting that annoying rattle even though i replaced the tensioner. Did you replace all the chains? Theres 3 in the sohc i believe. I was just going to do the main one. My question is where did you buy it (Only the main) from and did you have to use the cam shaft centering tool? Or is there another way?

 

[sportblack99]

My advice is if your going to do just one u might as well do them all. For my cam holder I just used a piece of leather and took off a cam bearing cap. Put in the leather and snugged down the cap. Put the harmonic bolt back on and put a mark on it to keep it timed. Cams won't move but your crank is free. I got my set from eBay. Hole set for 102. Another 50ish for gaskets. And 26 for a manual. And I know I should have got the cloyes set but 350 bucks was a little steep for me.