4.0 SOHC problems (esp. timing chain tensioners)

[Jaz5437]

Just interested in hearing about anyone elses problems with the timing chain
tensioners in the 4.0L SOHC engine.

I bought my '97 used in April '99 with 50k and luckily also bought the extended
warranty (although it hasn't helped me really). I noticed the problem a week
after I bought the thing. Took it in to have repaired. They had it for two
weeks and didn't fix the problem. Was then told the tensioner was being
redesigned and would be in in 30 days. Five months went by and still no part.
Finally I took it to another dealer who tried to fix it again. Still no go. He
then said there was another new design and was ordering parts. A week later I
took it in again to have the yet again redesigned tensioner put in and it still
didn't fix the problem. He told me that Ford had no clue what the problem was
and was going to put a new engine into it, but the bad news is that even the
new engines had not been corrected. So I took it in again only to find that
Ford changed their mind. Ford had yet again redesigned the tensioner so I was
on the parts list again. Three weeks have gone by and still no parts, although
I was told to bring it in next Monday and parts should all be there, but why
should I expect that after 8 months of screwing around that they will finally
get it right.

Is this what everyone else has been through? Isn't Ford obligated to repair my
vehicle by any means up to the retail value of the vehicle in a reasonable
amount of time under the contract they signed with me (extended warranty) ?

I guess one good thing is that it is still running, although the noise
continues to get worse and I have been told that this problem has led to the
timing chain failing and ruining the engine on numerous occasions.

Why can't they just get rid of the chains and retrofit to a belt system and why
cant they just offer the V8 with the fully functional 4WD?

To everyone out there DO NOT BUY AN EXPLORER WITH THE SOHC ENGINE? The few
extra HP or MPG will be made up for by the many sleepless nights you will be
spending worrying about the POS in your driveway.

[BA bob]

we bought our 97 new and a few months after we had it,
it started knocking when we first started it up. our acc. pedal
was also sticking. we took it in and there were four recalls on it
including the cam tensioner and the throttle body. we had all
four of them repaired and everything was repaired. i don't know
where you live, but in the dallas area, try prestige ford. they did
a great job for us and they only had the car for 2 days. good luck.

[myo...@my-deja.com]

Hi All,
Just come back from my local dealer here in the UK (New door mirror
$232 complete!inc labour) I have the same knock on start-up and
clicking timing chains,also noisey at about 2700 rpm kindoff
buzzing/rattle (chains!). They have fitted a new set of lifters! but
they say they are now wanting for new tools to change the timing chains
again!! hmmm. All this is in a 97' covered here by under (2 year from
my purchase Ford second hand warranty), even if it go's out of warranty
still covered because they 'know' theres a problem! yippee !.Also
clucks when braking from the back sort off clicking??? any ideas ?

Dave.....

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[AmandaMarx]

Thanks for the warning. I was told to get the SOHC because of the increased
engine power, etc., but I think your experience has changed my mind. Maybe I
should just go with the Mercury Mountaineer which looks identical to the FE.
Does Mercury make a better suv?

[Dave G]

Mercury Mountianeer is a Ford Explorer with a different grill and options.
AmandaMarx <amand...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19991215135220...@ng-fq1.aol.com...

[DriveSpy]

Its unfortunate that the SOHC 4.0 has had more problems than would seem to
be expected. Since this engine appeared in 97 its been improperly installed
connecting rod bolts, oil pump problems, sticky throttle bodies, and this cam
chain tensioner thing seems like its been going on forever.
What kind of problems are there with the 4.0 OHV? I hardly ever see
complaints from owners having that engine. You guys with the pushrods speak
up! That is if you have something to report.

[MDyster]

If you owned a earlier Explorer (Pre 97') than you owned a push rod engine. The
only choice prior to 97' the the push rod. From a duribility stand point, this
engine did fine. I know of many pepole that have 180K on there Explorers with
NO engine problems. I certain there some that had major problems, but most were
happy. As far as the SOHC engine gos, you get the impresion that Ford didn't
ever test this engine before they released it. If they did, they would have
caught this design flaw. I think they were rushing to produce a 200 Hp engine
to stay current in the market. All the trade magazines were bashing them for
being under powered and it was starting to effect sales. I don't mind having
the problems, I just want Ford to stand up and say "Don't worry, we will fix
it". I don't get the warm fuzzies from the dealer.

[Stephen Haare]

Like I posted before I have the timing chain tensioner problem also and
i'm still waiting on a fix from Ford. I initially though that the
problem was a minor irritation, but after reading some post from the
group I'm starting to wonder if it is more serious. Can this problem
actually cause the timing chain to fail and if it does will this cause
engine damage (pistons hitting valves)? In theory anything can happen so
has anyone actually had this happen to them.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Fred]

A lot of overhead cam engine aren't freewheeling engine. If the engine
jumps valve timing due to timing chain/belt problems it can cause
damage from the pistons hitting the valves.

On Sat, 18 Dec 1999 16:06:49 GMT, Stephen Haare <seh...@home.com>
wrotf:

[GLB]

My 98 with the SOHC V6 is working fantastic (and quietly). The only
problem was the sticky throttle body which was replaced immediately. This
is probably the best initial quality new vehicle I have ever purchased.

Jaz5437 <jaz...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19991215005812...@ng-ft1.aol.com...

[mel...@my-deja.com]

I wish I would have read some of these articles before I bought my 2000
Ford Explore XLT. Well, Ford still has the same problems with the
2000's. My timing chain and cassette had to be replaced at 1,600
miles. (along with many other repairs). There is still an engine
noise that Ford can not identify. I have repeatedly complained about
it. I guess Ford is just sick of me. They have offered to buy back
this Explorer. Guess what??? I am taking them up on it.

In article <19991215005812...@ng-ft1.aol.com>,

[nickfox...@gmail.com]

I know this thread is old, i was still in high school. I have a 98 4.0 sohc explorer for about 5 years now. i believe the timing chain tensioner is bad also. its sounded the same since ive had it. i always thought it was because it was wrecked it had rattles underneath. it runs great and i hold it to the floor. i will drive it until it completely quits on me. 109k miles when i got it, now its at 145k. too many electrical interior components.