C420sailor
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- July 29, 2008
- Messages
- 2,332
- Reaction score
- 1,900
- City, State
- Long Island, NY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 XLT SOHC, 99 EB 5.0L
Gents (and ladies),
'98 Explorer 4x4 SOHC here with 163k on the clock.
I've been having the dreaded rattle for at least 50k, but I was initially told by a mechanic that it was an exhaust shield. Didn't sound like one to me, but I went with it. The rattle has gotten worse, now rattling intermittently at idle, and even at low rpm at slow speed. My ear is telling me it's coming from the front, but I'm not sure if it's the primary chain or the secondary.
I've done a LOT of research on this site about the issue, but as a former Honda motorcycle tech I'm not really a car/truck guy. I have a few questions.
-If the guides are intact but merely worn, will replacing the tensioner stop the rattle? Or will worn guides provide less spring force against the chain?
-If the left bank guides are broken, does the repair in fact require removal of the front timing cover, crank-to-jackshaft chain and sprockets, etc? Or can it be accomplished with only the valve cover removed?
The fact that I'm getting the noise after start-up and even at higher rpm is making me think it's either the primary chain (which lacks a hydraulic tensioner), or that a jackshaft-to-camshaft guide is excessively worn/broken, since oil pressure still isn't enough to take out the slack in the chain. Rattle only at start-up would be indicative of a tired tensioner spring, correct?
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
'98 Explorer 4x4 SOHC here with 163k on the clock.
I've been having the dreaded rattle for at least 50k, but I was initially told by a mechanic that it was an exhaust shield. Didn't sound like one to me, but I went with it. The rattle has gotten worse, now rattling intermittently at idle, and even at low rpm at slow speed. My ear is telling me it's coming from the front, but I'm not sure if it's the primary chain or the secondary.
I've done a LOT of research on this site about the issue, but as a former Honda motorcycle tech I'm not really a car/truck guy. I have a few questions.
-If the guides are intact but merely worn, will replacing the tensioner stop the rattle? Or will worn guides provide less spring force against the chain?
-If the left bank guides are broken, does the repair in fact require removal of the front timing cover, crank-to-jackshaft chain and sprockets, etc? Or can it be accomplished with only the valve cover removed?
The fact that I'm getting the noise after start-up and even at higher rpm is making me think it's either the primary chain (which lacks a hydraulic tensioner), or that a jackshaft-to-camshaft guide is excessively worn/broken, since oil pressure still isn't enough to take out the slack in the chain. Rattle only at start-up would be indicative of a tired tensioner spring, correct?
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.