I have a `99 Ford Explorer 4.0L SOHC with around 193,000 miles on it. About a week ago i had a vaccum line come out, up by the Mass Airflow Sensor, and my car died everytime i would let off the gas. Well needless to say i was like 25-30 miles from my house and had to drive it and keep putting it in neutral at stoplights and revving and putting in gear.... After that this noise started. I hear it best under my car and when i am sitting in the drivers seat with the drivers side door open. I know there are millions of "possible" reasons it could be doin this and ive been thinkin "a timing chain" problem but a mechanic of mine said it did not sound like a timing chain issue however he wasn't quite sure. It rattles in park idleing no matter when i start it. it continues while im driving and does not desist but in fact gets louder as i increase the throttle. Its really making me mad and i have no acceleration.... I will tell you i also ran over a curb the same night that it had the vaccum problem when i was pulling into a corner store. So possible front end damage maybe? I can hear the sound alot better when i am under the car rather than over the engine. I rulled out pullys by having them replaced which were indeed worn. Im dumbfounded... I need help. Thanks in advance.

 

Which section is the noise coming from? Front, mid, rear?

 

the front, it sounds like its coming from under me....

 

Pull the inspection plate on your transmission and give the flywheel a good visual inspection, as well as check it for movement other than the obvious rotation. I had a similar noise(kind of a rattle/ringing sound) that was definitely loud inside, but not so much under the hood. The flywheel snapped and left me in the middle of an intersection not to long ago. Had the sound for a short while before.

 

Where is the inspection plate located?

 

Under the truck. Should be about 6 bolts that hold it on, front end of the transmission. It's a small plate that covers a section just under where the transmission bolts to the engine.

 

Thanks Ill check it out and let you know if i find anything. Ill keep ya posted.

 

Have you ever had the chain tensioners dealt with? The SOHC has known issues with timing chain tensioners.

 

Well i bought the car from a lady with like 130000 miles on it and i have documentation of what was said to be "Everything Ever Done Mechanically On The Car" but we all know how that sometimes goes. Ive looked for it but found nothing. However i'll scan through it one more time and see if i see anything. I know the tensioner is a common problem im just hoping and praying that its not the cause of my problems however with my luck it will be and ill be droppin alot of money into having it fixed....

 

I looked through the papers and i found the recall notice on the tensioner but no documentation of it being taken care of. Im trying to rule out every possibility before i resort to the timing chain which the "hunch" of mine is tellin me it is the chain or tensioners. If it is, the removal of the engine is required to fix this problem correct?