2002 4.0.... Bad Timing Chain???
#1
05-15-2011
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2002 4.0.... Bad Timing Chain???
ill start off with saying, since the day i bought the truck (with 56k on the clock) i have always heard a sound like birds chirping under the hood once the engine is around 2300-2800rpm. jus recently (@ approx 160k) i have been hearing this sound more frequent. At start up, idel, through the rpm range.....
i did my duty as a responsible member and searched this problem first. i have come to find out that there is a problem with the timing chain in these engines and more common in the 02's. (my luck!!!) from what i have found, the 02's have a specific problem with the chain tensioners. as for some fun information i have found,.... these engines have 3 timing chains. crank to jack shaft, jack shaft to bank one(drivers side), and at the rear of the motor..... jack shaft to bank two(pass. side).
my questions are as follows:
1. is there a time frame, based on the events im experiencing, till the timing chain fails in a catastrophic manner?
2. how much of a PITA is it to do the timing chain myself?
3. am i just experiencing noise that im worrying about for nothing?
any help would be great.
i did my duty as a responsible member and searched this problem first. i have come to find out that there is a problem with the timing chain in these engines and more common in the 02's. (my luck!!!) from what i have found, the 02's have a specific problem with the chain tensioners. as for some fun information i have found,.... these engines have 3 timing chains. crank to jack shaft, jack shaft to bank one(drivers side), and at the rear of the motor..... jack shaft to bank two(pass. side).
my questions are as follows:
1. is there a time frame, based on the events im experiencing, till the timing chain fails in a catastrophic manner?
2. how much of a PITA is it to do the timing chain myself?
3. am i just experiencing noise that im worrying about for nothing?
any help would be great.
#2
05-15-2011
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this is what i found previously. i dont know if this is exactly what im experiencing but it sure sounds like it.
Could it be ,
Vehicle Specs
Post TSB 02-7-6 4.0L SOHC Timing Chain Rattle
*Engine - 4.0L SOHC - Rattle noise from primary chain drive area between 2K-3K RPM - Cold engine operation only
*Noise - Rattle noise from primary timing chain drive area between 2K-3K RPM - Cold engine operation only - vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC Engine only
Ford: 99-02 Explorer, 01-02 Sport Trac, Explorer Sport, Ranger
Mercury: 99-02 Mountaineer
Issue:
Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0 SOHC (Single Over-Head Cam) engine may exhibit a Primary Timing Chain rattle noise. The noise is audible during hot and cold engine operation (but predominantly found on cold engines) under acceleration, typically at 2400-2500 rpm. To confirm presence of this noise, accelerate in 2nd gear between 2000-3000 rpm and listen for rattle noise that sounds similar to spark knock. This may be caused by the Primary Timing Chain Tensioner system.
Action:
Replace the Primary Timing Chain Tensioner, Chain Guide, Jackshaft, and Crankshaft Sprockets with a Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Kit. The kit includes an improved Primary Chain Tensioner, as well as updated Primary Chain Guide, Jackshaft, and Crankshaft Sprockets. Required fastners, primary timing chain, and front cover gaskets are also included. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
Service Procedure:
Verify the condition. Obtain the correct kit and follow the sheet supplied with the kit.
Use kit 2U3Z-6D256-AA (balance shaft engines) for:
-99-01 4x4 Explorer/Mountaineer
-01-02 4x4 Sport/Sport Trac
-All 02 Explorer/Mountaineer, except engine codes 2G-960-AA and 2G-964-AA
Use kit 2U3Z-6D256-BA (non blance shaft engines) for:
-99-01 4x2 Explorer/Mountaineer
-01-02 4x2 Sport/Sport Trac
-02 Explorer/Mountaineer with engine codes 2G-960-AA and 2G-964-AA
-All 2001-02 Ranger
Labor Time: Estimated around 6 hours
Warranty Status: Elgible under the provisions of Bumper to Bumper warranty coverage
Vehicle Specs
Post TSB 02-7-6 4.0L SOHC Timing Chain Rattle
*Engine - 4.0L SOHC - Rattle noise from primary chain drive area between 2K-3K RPM - Cold engine operation only
*Noise - Rattle noise from primary timing chain drive area between 2K-3K RPM - Cold engine operation only - vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC Engine only
Ford: 99-02 Explorer, 01-02 Sport Trac, Explorer Sport, Ranger
Mercury: 99-02 Mountaineer
Issue:
Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0 SOHC (Single Over-Head Cam) engine may exhibit a Primary Timing Chain rattle noise. The noise is audible during hot and cold engine operation (but predominantly found on cold engines) under acceleration, typically at 2400-2500 rpm. To confirm presence of this noise, accelerate in 2nd gear between 2000-3000 rpm and listen for rattle noise that sounds similar to spark knock. This may be caused by the Primary Timing Chain Tensioner system.
Action:
Replace the Primary Timing Chain Tensioner, Chain Guide, Jackshaft, and Crankshaft Sprockets with a Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Kit. The kit includes an improved Primary Chain Tensioner, as well as updated Primary Chain Guide, Jackshaft, and Crankshaft Sprockets. Required fastners, primary timing chain, and front cover gaskets are also included. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
Service Procedure:
Verify the condition. Obtain the correct kit and follow the sheet supplied with the kit.
Use kit 2U3Z-6D256-AA (balance shaft engines) for:
-99-01 4x4 Explorer/Mountaineer
-01-02 4x4 Sport/Sport Trac
-All 02 Explorer/Mountaineer, except engine codes 2G-960-AA and 2G-964-AA
Use kit 2U3Z-6D256-BA (non blance shaft engines) for:
-99-01 4x2 Explorer/Mountaineer
-01-02 4x2 Sport/Sport Trac
-02 Explorer/Mountaineer with engine codes 2G-960-AA and 2G-964-AA
-All 2001-02 Ranger
Labor Time: Estimated around 6 hours
Warranty Status: Elgible under the provisions of Bumper to Bumper warranty coverage
#4
05-16-2011
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research, my automotive knowledge, and the simple fact i could not imagine what else would make that sound leads me to believe its the timing chain.
#6
05-16-2011
#8
05-19-2011
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Location: Houston, TX
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There is one other thing you might look into. I can't say for sure that our Rangers have this part/problem but I'm pretty sure they do:
I had what sounded like a nest of baby birds in our explorer. It started intermittant and then got worse. I asumed it was a slipping belt at first, then an idler pulley but changing these didn't fix the problem. It turned out that its the Cam Shaft Syncronizer. In the 5.0 explorer its located right under the coil packs. I understand that on the V6 (which might include the ranger) its located at the back of the engine instead and is a much bigger PIA to change. After some digging around the net I was able to find some threads that led me to and gave me a good bit of confidence that it was the problem. I managed to find the part and the tool needed to align it pretty cheap on amazon.
I had what sounded like a nest of baby birds in our explorer. It started intermittant and then got worse. I asumed it was a slipping belt at first, then an idler pulley but changing these didn't fix the problem. It turned out that its the Cam Shaft Syncronizer. In the 5.0 explorer its located right under the coil packs. I understand that on the V6 (which might include the ranger) its located at the back of the engine instead and is a much bigger PIA to change. After some digging around the net I was able to find some threads that led me to and gave me a good bit of confidence that it was the problem. I managed to find the part and the tool needed to align it pretty cheap on amazon.
#9
05-19-2011
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Just saw there was a thread on this right below: https://www.ranger-forums.com/4-0l-ohv-sohc-v6-tech-33/99-4-0-chirping-unrelated-knock-when-cold-help-122793/
#10
05-19-2011
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jtkonieczny
4.0L OHV & SOHC V6 Tech
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