Wondering what it could be, timing chain?

[Chameleon]

1999 Explorer XLT, 4.0 SOHC 205,000 miles.

Coming home from work and I noticed the oil pressure gauge stuck at the bottom, about a mile later, the gauge needle jumped up to normal midway between H & L, stayed that way for a minute, then went back to the bottom like if the engine were not running. I could hear a faint ticking from the engine. I was coming to a stop sign so I took my foot off the gas and the engine died. From the stop, I started her up, sounded okay, put it back in drive and pulled out and it immediately was running very rough and losing power to the tranny. I pulled off the road and shut her down.

Called home and my son brought a two wheel dolly out and I got it started to pull onto the dolly, but it died when I put in gear. Started up again and nursed it onto the dolly and got it home and off the dolly, but now it will not start at all, it fires, but will not catch.

Timing chain? Jumped timing? Time for a new engine? I am a shade tree mechanic and there is too much snow on the ground for that now. LOL

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chameleon]

^bump ^

 

[swetrid]

Sounds like a good possibility that it was timing chain concern.

 

[2000StreetRod]

compression check

A timing chain slip is easily detected with a compression test. All of the cylinders on the slipped bank will have low compression.

 

[Chameleon]

Thanks, it was picked up by a local mechanic and he will be checking it out today.

 

[Chameleon]

Failed oil pump is the diagnosis. Looking for another engine.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Sorry!

It's a shame that Ford chose to eliminate the oil pressure gauge from the instrument panel. A functional gauge will often give warning of a failing oil pump.