Explorer 4.0L SOHC Timing Chain Noise...

[JustinH]

Hey Guys.

My brother picked up a 99 explorer. Great truck, he got it for 3000 dollars. 72k miles, 4x4, whole deal. Sport edition.

Anyways, when it first warms up, the timing chain makes a heck of a lot of noise, almost like its banging into the front cover.

Then it totally goes away!

He's running castrol gtx from the castrol lubeshop, and he's running LUCAS additive as per his friends recommendation (I recommend him not to buy the lucas, but he likes wasting money).

I read on google, that this is quite a common problem. People are paying big bucks to have it fixed, then it comes right back?

Whats the deal here, should we worry about it or just drive it?

Its a chain, I can't see it breaking, but I don't want him to have a bad engine failure due to negligence.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[punisher]

If it was mine I would replace the chain tensioners first, a simple job. If that doesn't alleviate the problem it is time for a pair of timing chain cassettes. We replaced a lot of tensioners on those SOHC 4.0s.

 

[01rangerxl]

I think Ford updated the tensioners around 2003 to try and get rid of the noise.

I have never heard of the timing chain ever doing anything other than make noise, but it has been an annoyance for many people.

 

[JustinH]

So the chain isn't going to break and cause problems?

He doesn't mind the noise, just so long as it doesn't turn into something major.

He's 20 years old, and doesn't have a ton of money to sink into this vehicle.

 

[01rangerxl]

I have never heard of one breaking, but I do not want to say that it can't happen.

 

[PW01]

My Ranger has the same engine, with the same issue. The dealership pulled the motor and totally replaced both timing assemblies with the updated parts (tensioners, guides, chains, etc.). The noise never fully went away, but was noticeably reduced. They explained that it takes a while for the tensioners to get "fully lubed", that's why the noise goes away. They also said that it does not cause a problem, and is considered "normal" for that engine. The tech showed me the updated tensioner, it has a small hole to help the oil get inside. My truck has 74,xxx miles, and runs like new, so I'm not worried about it. I'm a member of 5 Ranger forums, and have never seen a post about a timing failure.

 

[JTK]

I had a neighbor with a 2002 explorer 4L SOHC, where the timing chain broke/popped off on the fly and basically mangled the cover, gears, etc, but didn't do any valvetrain, head or piston damage from what he told me. It only had like 12Kmi on it when it happened (back in 2002-2003) so the dealer replaced the broken parts and sent the guy on his way.

Joel