Hi,

I have a '98 4.0L SOHC AT Explorer with `53,000 miles on it. I'm the second owner. It seem to have the infamous cam tentioner problam presenting a noise at 2300-2800 RPM under load.

How hard it is to get the dealer to treat the problam under the warranty ? From reading here I understand it is supposed to be covered until 72K/6 years. Going through the ford site and using my truck's VIN doesn't show any open recalls.

What exactly do they replace ?

As far as I understand I'm supposed to chance the timing chains at 60K under regular service. I assume this means changing the tentioners as well. If they open up the engine to fix the tentioner is it a good idea to change everything (chain, tentioner etc) that is supposed to be changed at 60k ?

Thanks,
Zoti

 

The timing chain is not supposed to be changed at 60K. Ford states that it should last the life of the vehicle. For vehicles that have a timing belt, those typically get changed at 60K. The belt is rubber and will wear out. The chain is metal and will only be damaged if something else breaks first and damages it. The reason your camshaft tensioners didn't show up as an open recall is because they were not recalled. A recall is issued by a manufacturer when they have received an excessive number of complaints to replace something that can cause a safety or emissions related issue when it fails. The camshaft tensioners (as well as the chain guides) are covered through what Ford calls an "Owner Notification Program". What Ford voluntarilly did was extend the warranty on both of these items (including the lower intake manifold o-rings). They will only replace them under the extended warranty if they verify that they are bad or have failed. This is the opposite of a recall. A recall, the manufacturer is obligated to replace the item in question whether it has failed or not.

If your Explorer is less than 6 years old and has less than 72K miles and your Dealer can verify that your tensioners are noisy, then they will replace them at no charge. If your Explorer is less than 7 years old and has less than 100K miles and your dealer can verify that your chain guides are bad, they will replace them at no charge.

Be aware though that your symptoms are not the described symptoms in all of the Ford literature for either of these two problems. The symptoms for bad tensioners is a noisy rattle from the left, front of the engine on start up of a cold engine. The noise goes away within 5 seconds. The noise is not detectable while driving. They symptoms of bad chain guides is a louder rattle that occurs at start up and does not go away after 5 secnds. The noise is much louder than the noise produced by bad tensioners. It can easily be heard while standing in front of the vehicle with the hood opened. Occasionally it can be heard while driving.

 

I thought the symptoms were noise in the 2300-2800 RPM range under load. Am I right ?

 

zoti
I have a 2000 and the same thing going on. I took it to the dealer and according to the paperwork they replaced the left timing chain tensioner. This solved the problem for about 1 week. I have noticed the problem again. I am going back to the dealer and plan to get satisfaction no matter what. This is the first Ford I have ever owned and I hope they take good care of me or it may be the last.I plan on pulling my boat this summer and I am afraid with this problem I will severely damage my engine.

 

No,

The following comes from Ford's letter to the Technicians in the form of a questions/answer form.

00M12:
Q1: How do I know if a customer's vehicle requires a new camshaft chain tensioner or an intake manifold gasket?

Answer: Tensioner: An engine rattling noise that occurs just after cold engine start up and goes away within a few minutes after the engine is running indicates the need to install a new camshaft chain tensioner.
Intake Manifold Gasket: Rough idle and low idle are symptoms which may, in some cases, indicate an intake manifold leak.

01M01:
Q5: A customer comes in with an engine noise with the expectation that it will be repaired free of charge under this program. But, the noise turns out to be something else. How do we avoid upsetting the customer?

Answer: The nature of the symptom (engine noise) may cause some concern to owners who visit your dealership with unrelated noises. There are three important things you can do to improve customer satisfaction:

#1 Understand what we told the customer. Here is what the owner letter said: "What does cam chain noise sound like? ... A 'metallic rattling sound' is typical of a timing chain noise. This noise can be heard at all engine speeds and is most noticeable at the front of the engine. The noise is best identified with the hood open and the engine at idle. Also, the noise doesn't go away after five minutes of operation."

#2 Service Advisors should learn to recognize the symptoms. Cam chain noise is very distinctive. Once you know what it sounds like, you will be able to quuickly identify excessive cam chain noise. (Service Advisors not familiar with timing chain noise may wish to consult an Engine Technician from the Service Area.)

#3 Validate each customer noise concern as quickly as possible! If possible, Service Advisors should try to perform an "on the spot" evaluation of the nose. Inform the customer immediately if the noise is not related to the front timing chain. (i.e.: water pump bearing, alternator, etc.) A quick evaluation can save everyone time and improve the customer's perception of your service.

If your dealer can't verify your concerns as Ford has described here, they will not cover your repairs under the extended warranty of the programs.

 

I have a 98 XLT 4x4 SOHC.

I got a mailing about a year ago about that cam chain guide recall.

It said that it had been extended to 100,000 miles or 7 years.

Here are the details mentioned in that mailing:

Program#: 01MO1
MODEL; 1998 EXPLORER
VIN: XXXXX
PART#:6M289

It was followed by a paragraph. To summarize, it basically said:...

This warranty is now extended to 7 years or 100K miles / See dealer if an odd noise persists from the SOHC area of the engine beyond 5 minutes after starting / Coverage automatically transfers to future owners.


My Explorer has about 96K. I have not heard any noise, but I am going to take it in just to have it checked before the warranty is up.

 

I had the cam chain guide noise problem. It does not go away after a few minutes. It's a constant metallic rattle noise coming from the front left (or right if looking at it from the front) while driving or at idle. It's very obnoxious to listen to. But the happy side is that it did so much damage to my motor that Ford graciously replaced my motor with a newly remanufactured motor. NICE! Runs great and quiet now. But the process to approve it took a while...got a great Focus to drive around in. (never drive one of those again!!)

-John

 

You still wouldn't have a copy of that letter that you could
scan and make available would you ?

Thanks
Sid