02 explorer engine rattle
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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now what
Originally Posted by SSGG
My wife's 02 Exp does the same thing, sounds like valve clatter on a fairly cold engine under moderate acceleration. I use a local mechanic that recently left the local dealership after about 10 years. He showed me the "report" that Ford usually issues to dealerships on reoccuring problems and it detailed the noise perfectly and listed the cause as the tensioner. Sorry to say but it is a very expensive procedure to replace a part with the same bad part (18+ hours labor). My Mech said to just let it eat. The oil testing does seem like a good idea.
Wes
Wes
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: SE Texas
it has been a little while so I am trying to remember ... I believe what he was getting at was that ford knows about it and has not done anything about it, but don't quote me YET. I will call him tomorrow for verification on that. i.e. he could charge me a ton for the repair and put the same engineering flaw back on. Kind of like replacing a flat tire with a new flat tire. But yes his recomendation was to leave it be for now.
Wes
Wes
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Again .. I just changed my oil and all I used is Valvoline maxlife 5w 30 non synth oil for cars over 75000 miles and a fram oil filter and the ping is gone. It comes back after around 400O miles, like its telling me to change my oil. You have got to try this stuff.....
2001 explorer 4.0
82000 miles
drive 80 miles day
2001 explorer 4.0
82000 miles
drive 80 miles day
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by freesplorer
Again .. I just changed my oil and all I used is Valvoline maxlife 5w 30 non synth oil for cars over 75000 miles and a fram oil filter and the ping is gone. It comes back after around 400O miles, like its telling me to change my oil. You have got to try this stuff.....
2001 explorer 4.0
82000 miles
drive 80 miles day
2001 explorer 4.0
82000 miles
drive 80 miles day
thanks for the tip, I am due for a change and I will give maxlife a try.
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In response to the previous poster who didn't see how motor oil could make a difference... the tensioners they used in these SOHC motors have a plunger that I think is driven by oil pressure... like a hydraulic lifter.. I've used synthetics and special formulations before to free up stuck lifters.. try thinking about it that way.. apparently the tolerances are too tight on these tensioners, so the least little buildup causes 'em to stick until the engine gets good and hot. The slicker and higher detergent levels in the synthetic / high mileage blends help eliminate that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
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From: Friendswood, Texas
Originally Posted by Exploder02
In response to the previous poster who didn't see how motor oil could make a difference... the tensioners they used in these SOHC motors have a plunger that I think is driven by oil pressure... like a hydraulic lifter.. I've used synthetics and special formulations before to free up stuck lifters.. try thinking about it that way.. apparently the tolerances are too tight on these tensioners, so the least little buildup causes 'em to stick until the engine gets good and hot. The slicker and higher detergent levels in the synthetic / high mileage blends help eliminate that.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 178
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Hey Texan... I understand.. the thing is, on these SOHC 4.0s, the EXACT description of the issue in the associated TSB from Ford is the rattling noise, at roughtly 2400 to 3000RPM, most noticable lightly loaded, and when engine is cold... and it does get worse on some, if those tensioners get permanently stuck. It's just so common, that it's normally the answer on these engines.
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Same Problem
I Have The Same Problem With Mine.
I Took It Into The Ford Dealer In Randelstown, Md
They Told Me They Didnt Hear Anything. Then I Took
It Into A Local Repair Shop And They Told Me They Could
Fix It But It Would Cost Close To $700. The Gave Me The
Tsb That Ford Has Out For This Issue, They Are Aware Of It
But I Doubt I Will Get It Fixed For Free. I Need To Go Back
To Ford And Find Out.
The Tsb # Is : Tsb 02-8-1
I Took It Into The Ford Dealer In Randelstown, Md
They Told Me They Didnt Hear Anything. Then I Took
It Into A Local Repair Shop And They Told Me They Could
Fix It But It Would Cost Close To $700. The Gave Me The
Tsb That Ford Has Out For This Issue, They Are Aware Of It
But I Doubt I Will Get It Fixed For Free. I Need To Go Back
To Ford And Find Out.
The Tsb # Is : Tsb 02-8-1
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Enjoy FTE....and
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Senior User
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Originally Posted by polar911
happy to report the maxlife oil change fixed the rattle for now
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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I have a 01 Ranger with the SOHC engine and have had this problem "fixed" by 2 separate dealerships, the second of which told me that it was just a "characteristic" of the motor - AFTER they had pulled the motor and replaced both timing chain assemblies. Thing is, they know about the problem but just put the same parts in - they can't fix it. If you really have the problem oil won't fix it, I switched to Mobil 1 and it still rattles. It's no wonder Ford is in the shape its in.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Same problem here. 2200-2600RPM under light load and rattles like it's pinging. Went to the dealer and got quoted at $1270. Asked them why it's not under warranty (I have 82K and had the tensioner replaced at 58K) and they said it just wasn't. I got offered a $200 discount.
I have been changing oil every 3000 miles but this last time I decided to go with Mobile1 super synthetic (or what ever they call it) that is supposed to last 6000 miles. The problem started around the 4000 miles mark and I also discovered I was low on oil.
I'm going to go back to 3000 miles intervals and go with regular synthetic oil like I did before. I'll let you guys know what the result is.
BTW Texan2004, I live in Plano. If you happen to be around you are welcome to come by and listen to the noise.
I have been changing oil every 3000 miles but this last time I decided to go with Mobile1 super synthetic (or what ever they call it) that is supposed to last 6000 miles. The problem started around the 4000 miles mark and I also discovered I was low on oil.
I'm going to go back to 3000 miles intervals and go with regular synthetic oil like I did before. I'll let you guys know what the result is.
BTW Texan2004, I live in Plano. If you happen to be around you are welcome to come by and listen to the noise.