Timing Chain Rattle 4.0 SOHC

[BigBadStang]

Has anyone ever pulled the engine out of an Explorer based truck to replace the timing chain guides, and cassettes? My 02 Sport Trac is starting to get the rattle, and I'll need to fix it sometime soon. I know I can do the work, I'm just trying to get an idea of a realistic time frame for pulling out the engine, and replacing the worn parts.

[Dirtyd0g]

This is a common problem. I have seen a few people try to fix it in the truck, none have ever accomplished this. Great running motors until the timing chains go. Good luck with it you'll be using a few choice words.
Alan

[mustangrfast88]

i was gonna say good luck, i was talking to my buddy which is a master ford tech. because my mom has the same explorer sport trax but a 01. he was say he thinks he can get all part to fix problem for 400 and labor is like 700 dollars. so i would say a weekend of work if you know what your doing .

[93lincolnmk8]

How many miles has yours got on it? If its ratteling stop driving it! I have heard these are interference motors. If the chain gets loose enough and jumps time its wasted, and used motors go for $1000+.

[BigBadStang]

Yeah, they are an interference engine. With mine being an 02, it already has the revised hydraulic tensioners. The rattle isn't bad...yet. I can just barely hear it for a split second at about 3,100 RPM. I guess I will just bite the bullet and get all the stuff rounded up, including the cam timing tool, yank it out of there, and put the new stuff in. I know some guys have gotten lucky and the RH side not be worn out, and have been able to just do the LH side, the jack shaft, and or the balance shaft. But, I know better...my luck never goes that way, and it will eventually need replaced as I intend to keep it a long time to come.
Thanks for the input.

[Stangman]

How many miles has yours got on it? If its ratteling stop driving it! I have heard these are interference motors. If the chain gets loose enough and jumps time its wasted, and used motors go for $1000+.

Didnt you once tell me that this is a 14 hour job or something crazy like that?

[mustangrfast88]

do it right the first time replace it all at one time

[93lincolnmk8]

Didnt you once tell me that this is a 14 hour job or something crazy like that?

When I still worked in the shop that was what flat rate paid for it.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Seems like this is more of a problem on exploders for some reason? I have an 02 Ranger with the SOHC and there is a slight rattle sometimes on startup every now and then, but I never hear anything during driving. I don't ever hear of this issue on any of the ranger forums either.

[BigBadStang]

do it right the first time replace it all at one time

That's what I'm planning on doing. No sense in doing it half-assed if I'm gonna keep it.

[Timido]

I have done alot of them they require special tools to do the job. There is a little bit to making sure everything is timed right. It is not an extreamly hard job but it is alot easyier if someone is familiar with the job. I know someone who does side work who can do them for you. PM me if you are interested. You can do the front ones in the veh but the rear one you have to pull the motor.

Slight rattle at start up usually means it needs the newer tensioners that have the long heavy spring in them. The tensioners are on the outside of the head they do not require the timing cover to be removed. But they do require the intake to be removed and new intake gaskets which used to come in the TSB kit for the rattle at startup.