2000 Ford Explorer 4.0 Sohc Timing Chain Tensioner

I Brought My Explorer In To The Dealer To Diagnois A Vibration Between 2000-2500 Rpm. They Say It Is The Timing Chain Tensioner. According To The Shop Manual There Are Special Tools Required As It Does Not Appear That There Are Timing Marks.

1. Is It Possible To Change The Tensioner Without Replacing The Chains And Upsetting The Timing?

2. The Vehicle Has 130,000 Miles And I Want To Keep It Another Couple Of Years 30k/year, So Should Ialso Change The Chains To Prevent A Breakdown?

3. Are There Other Possible Causes For The Vibration I Should Check.

Thanks,

Ken

I Brought My Explorer In To The Dealer To Diagnois A Vibration Between 2000-2500 Rpm. They Say It Is The Timing Chain Tensioner. According To The Shop Manual There Are Special Tools Required As It Does Not Appear That There Are Timing Marks.

1. Is It Possible To Change The Tensioner Without Replacing The Chains And Upsetting The Timing?

2. The Vehicle Has 130,000 Miles And I Want To Keep It Another Couple Of Years 30k/year, So Should Ialso Change The Chains To Prevent A Breakdown?

3. Are There Other Possible Causes For The Vibration I Should Check.

Thanks,

Ken

There was an "extended warranty" on 4.0 sohc engines for timing chain tensioner problems. I think it was referred to as the 00M12 recall campaign - I'm pretty sure you are outside the mileage limits though. The dealer can check and see if it was ever done on your vehicle. I think this also included replacing your upper intake naifold gaskets for cols start / idle issues which were pretty common.

There is a parts kit available, they change the tensioners only, not the chain. The timing tool can be had for under 20 bucks on the net.

That should get you started!

The dealer can check and see if it was ever done on your vehicle. I think this also included replacing your upper intake naifold gaskets for cols start / idle issues which were pretty common.

what kind of cold start / idle issues are you referring to? i was told that my "old-engine noise" (for about 2 minutes after a warm start) is due to a problem with the timing chain tensioner.. i got my 97 explorer eb used about 2 years ago and the previous owner doesn't know anything about cars.. my car needs to crank 3-5 seconds when its cold and has a very harsh and rough idle on cold mornings.. if i bring it to the dealer, will they charge me just to check to see if this recall was done or not? thanks

michael n.

what kind of cold start / idle issues are you referring to? i was told that my "old-engine noise" (for about 2 minutes after a warm start) is due to a problem with the timing chain tensioner.. i got my 97 explorer eb used about 2 years ago and the previous owner doesn't know anything about cars.. my car needs to crank 3-5 seconds when its cold and has a very harsh and rough idle on cold mornings.. if i bring it to the dealer, will they charge me just to check to see if this recall was done or not? thanks

michael n.

There are some O rings between the upper intake manifold and the lower intake manifold which get hard with age and leak when the engine is cold - the extra air that gets in causes hard starts and rough idle as you describe. If your engine is in good tune it could be your issue.

Dealer should not charge you to check the history of the vehicle and tell you whether that fix was done. They will check and be sure all offical recalls have been done.

I wonder if maybe the harmonic balancer at the crank may have slipped in the rubber. I am not sure about the tensioner. Do you hear a rattle when it idles???/ Deerecrouse

There are some O rings between the upper intake manifold and the lower intake manifold which get hard with age and leak when the engine is cold - the extra air that gets in causes hard starts and rough idle as you describe. If your engine is in good tune it could be your issue.

Dealer should not charge you to check the history of the vehicle and tell you whether that fix was done. They will check and be sure all offical recalls have been done.

oh alright.. 97 4.0L SOHC w/79,000 miles and well maintained.. so i guess the O rings are my best bet huh? since the history checks are free, i'll go by the ford dealer ( < 1 mile from home :grinyes: ) and check out the previous recalls and the O rings while i'm there.. thanks so much

I wonder if maybe the harmonic balancer at the crank may have slipped in the rubber. I am not sure about the tensioner. Do you hear a rattle when it idles???/ Deerecrouse

nope i hear no rattle when it idles, not even when its rough idling.. is it still the O rings? thanks

mike