A month or so ago i noticed when i was accelerating that when i was between 2000 - 3000 RPM i could hear a rattle in the engine. I cant really explain the sound, except maybe marbles or something hitting each other. We have a 2002 explorer that has been doing the same thing for many years now, but no issues. Any ideas of what this is? Or is it very serious to get fixed? Any input would be greatly appreciated. The truck is a 04 4.0 ranger with 153,000 miles.

 

the good ol 4.0 timing chain rattle...break out the wallet as it costs about a grand or so to fix

 

Is it top priority, or can it be driven awhile like this? Like i said we have been driving our explorer for many years making that sound.

 

it should be pretty high up near top priority because if the chain jumps off on of the sprockets youre looking at a new motor...

 

Wow, didn't want to hear that. So would the tensioners and the chain need to be replaced?

 

just the tensioners themselves not the chain...the 01-02.5 4.0 rangers are notorius for the noise...but the problem is hit and miss...like i already said the fix is not cheap

 

My truck has had that rattle for almost 50K miles. It usually happens about 500 miles before i change my oil "3k on synthetic". After it has fresh oil, the sound goes away. Hasn't broke yet, so will just keep changing the oil.