Timing Chain Replacement

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Jul 12, 2003 | 12:03 AM

MCalvin460CI

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Timing Chain Replacement

I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHATS INVOLVED IN CHANGING THE TIMING CHAIN ON A 1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH A 4.0 V6. IT HAS 150,000 MILES SO ITS PROBABLY DUE. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO WHILE CHANGING THIS? WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT 150,000 MILES? ALSO WHEN ITS IDLING IT MAKES SOME SORT OF RATTLING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE ITS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHAT COULD THAT BE? THANKS

Jul 13, 2003 | 04:42 PM

CNTHOR

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Joined: Jan 2002

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From: Syossett USA

Timing Chain Replacement

The dealer told me that the timing chain doesn't ever need to be changed. They are supposed to be very strong and do not stretch

Jul 31, 2003 | 02:53 AM

rrjwk

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Timing Chain Replacement

Hello. do you have a 4.0 pushrod or a 4.0 ohc engine? If you have a pushrod engine the timing chain should be just fine until it's time to rebuild the engine. I have never seen one break, even on engines with over 200,000 miles. If you have a 4.0 ohc engine (I think they started in 98 so this shouldn't be the case) the timing chain tensioners have been in what's called an "open recall" by ford. The noise comes from the timing chain being loose caused by a fai;ty tensioner.

Jul 31, 2003 | 07:38 AM

stubborn1

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Timing Chain Replacement

The rattling noise is fairly common on the 4.0 OHV. Sometimes mine will sound like there is a bunch of marbles bouncing around or like a diesel engine at idle. I've talked to two mechanics who said that it is pretty common for this engine.

Aug 1, 2003 | 01:08 AM

Ponyracer

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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Timing Chain Replacement

Yes it is real common but easy to fix and not the timing chain. I had the same trouble and after many attempts to repair by our tune up guys who meant well, I found through this site that the mass air sensor gets covered with dirt and oil causing it to give an incorrect reading to the computer. All you have to do is a search for the repair procedures on this site and clean your mass air. Rattling will be gone.

Nov 9, 2003 | 05:23 PM

sokar311

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Hi, I want to know how to adjust the timing of the timing chains on a explorer 98 xlt 4x2.

I would realy appreciate some help! anything

Nov 9, 2003 | 07:36 PM

Majisto

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Joined: Jan 2002

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From: Austin, Texas, U.S.

The SOHC V-6 motor began in 1997, and had the timing chain tensioner rattle until the 2000 model year. The chain itself wasn't bad, but the tensioners were. Timing chains should never need to be replaced. The only reason you replace belts is because they stretch and bend.

The OHV rattles because of the wrist pins in the motor, NOT the timing chain. The wrist pins were changed (I thought this was 1999, but maybe earlier) because of emissions reasons, and they will cause a marble rattling noise. It could also be your lower intake manifold needed to be tightened. It may even be an exhaust leak...but it will 99% of the time be something other than the chain.