I have a 92 Explorer 2 dr 145000 miles and it has been pinging severely, so I took it to the shop for diagnostic and he said it is my timing chain.The next shop said that there is a recall for the timing chain. My local dealer said he doesn't think there is a recall for my rig.
I have since spoken to another shop and he said I might as well just put a new engine in! Because you should drop the oil pan, clean it all out and with all the hours and the likelyhood of it running right after the timing chain replacement you might as well replace the engine. He said the just don't run well after the timing chain is replaced especially if you don't use factory parts.
I don't know what to do.

Please help it is my only rig and I only have had it a few months.

Thanks,
Kallie

 

Out of the four shops you mentioned you got 1 right answer and 3 loads of BS.

Recall issues on timing chain tensioners affects overhead cam model engines which your 92 is not one of them. Search this forum for timing chain tensioner threads to get a better picture of the affected models.

Pinging issues are also common in here. Some have fixed theirs by cleaning/replacing MAF sensor, others have had leaking lower intake manifold gaskets or loose manifold bolts that only needed tightening. Search forum for Pinging and you will see some common items.

My 91 has 240 K miles and is still on original timing chain (and engine for that matter). I have had to replace lower intake gasket due to a water leak however, otherwise, the engine has never been apart. This engine is one of the best I have ever seen in a Ford.

Dialtone

 

Thank you for this information. I did previously own a 91 with the 4.0 and that is why I chose another one. I should have never sold it. It had 225000 when I sold it and only had the usual valvecover gasket leak. All else was great the body was tolded after I sold it but they still had their kids trashing it and last I heard they sold it for $500 and it had close to 300000! I just didn't know what to do. It was scoped and all the readings were changing he said originally so he needed to do more extensive testing and it turned out to be the timeing chain he said. I was just going to have him fix it and my Husband thought I should get more opinions and all it did was confuse me. I just want my rig back and running well. If anyone else has other advice I would like to hear it but I don't have long to make my decision.

Thanks again,
Kallie

 

In all the time I've been visting forums like this, I'm not sure if I've ever heard of a 4.0 OHV really having a bad timing chain. I know it's possible for timing chains to stretch and such, but it seems to be very rare on these engines.

"Ping" or "spark knock", however, is a common complaint.
One common cause is a slightly lean mixture. This comes from a dirty MAF or a slight vacuum or air intake leak. As mentioned by Dialtone, try cleaning your MAF. In the official repair manuals, the MAF is considered "not serviceable," meaning that a shop may try to sell you a new one rather than clean the old one. This is a common fix for the pinging issue, so try it. Just pull the sensor out of the housing (security torx bits are ~$10 at Autozone or equivalent), gently wipe the filaments off with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol (other solvents would work, too), and re-install.
As for vacuum leaks, make sure all vacuum hoses/connections are in good condition and not leaking. An unusual "vacuum" leak that commonly develops on these engines is from the lower intake manifold gasket. The bolts come loose, and often just tightening them down to specification is enough to seal up the leak. Dialtone mentioned this one, too. Don't ignore it. Simple (relatively) fix for a common problem.
Another thing that can cause a lean running engine and "ping" is dirty fuel injectors or low fuel pressure. Make sure fuel delivery is where it should be.
A final common cause of ping on these engines is carbon buildup in the cylinders. Several different products out there that should deal with this possibility. Seafoam is one, some just use water. As long as you follow the instructions and don't hydrolock the engine, it works well.
Considering that these are common causes that we encounter frequently on these boards, and the alternative your mechanic is giving you is a new engine ($$$), they are worth trying. Based on what I've seen, you have a good chance of fixing the problem without buying a new engine.

 

mrshorty is right on. I have done all of these things and my pinging is virtually gone. To clean the MAF sensor, I used carb cleaner and a toothbrush. I embedded the filament of the sensor in the bristles of the toothbrush and VERY GENTLY washed them. The first time I cleaned the maf, I just sprayed it and it didn't work to well. There must have been some crud on there that needed to be scraped off.

 

Go get a 300 I-6 or a 3.0 Vulcan V-6, and you will also be very impressed.

Either way, yes, the SOHC motor began in 1997 DID have a recall on the timing chain tensioners themselves, but not the chain. The SOHC motor has I believe it is 4 timing chains. That motor is a nightmare to work on compared to the simple OHV valvetrain. You don't have anything to worry about with your tensioners going bad.

Pinging can be caused by a lot of things, but these suggestions from the guys are great ones. You shouldn't need to run higher octane gas. Usually that just causes buildup since not all the gas will burn off. Also, my Vulcan engine pings when I am lugging it up a hill in OD. Kick it down into a real climbing gear, it stops. Be sure not to lug the motor around.

 

Thanks to all you. I just went to the shop to get an update and it was the timing chain tensioner after all. I chose to replace the timing chain and gears as well as the waterpump while he is there. I could see that they were all original parts and the waterpump wasn't spinningwell so, better safe than sorry down the road. Can't really afford it right after the holiday's but with the chain stretched and clanking around I am sure it would have broke sooner than later!

P.S the whole job is quoted at $400. parts and labor and I also have a 1 yr guarantee. I will be going back to supervise ensuring all new parts.

Thanks again,
Kallie