Trials and Tribulations on '99 Explorer

A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.

It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing sound
and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
where it's coming from.

I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is not
coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
belt, still no change.

Possibly the water pump?

Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine, the
only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask about
this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
(progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
injectors?

Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!

Allan

"Allan" > wrote in message
. ..
> A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
> Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.
>
> It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing sound
> and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
> where it's coming from.
>
> I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
> difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is not
> coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
> belt, still no change.
>
> Possibly the water pump?
>
> Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine, the
> only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
> Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask about
> this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
> (progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
> advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
> injectors?
>
> Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!
>
> Allan

Personally I would remove the belt and run the engine for a few seconds and
see if it goes away--that would narrow it down to something that is driven
by the belt. You could try turning stuff by hand and see if something is
squeaking or hard to turn.

If it's pinging I would think you'd be getting an error code.

ive had some fords making those noises and it was the belt that needed
replaceing , one case when antifreeze was spilled on it..dont get any
dirty hands on it when installing.

----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

Ulysses wrote:
> "Allan" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
>> Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.
>>
>> It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing sound
>> and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
>> where it's coming from.
>>
>> I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
>> difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is not
>> coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
>> belt, still no change.
>>
>> Possibly the water pump?
>>
>> Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine, the
>> only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
>> Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask about
>> this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
>> (progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
>> advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
>> injectors?
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!
>>
>> Allan
>
> Personally I would remove the belt and run the engine for a few seconds and
> see if it goes away--that would narrow it down to something that is driven
> by the belt. You could try turning stuff by hand and see if something is
> squeaking or hard to turn.
>
> If it's pinging I would think you'd be getting an error code.
>
>
I'm hoping we may have solved the problem. I'll know more tomorrow when
I run the vehicle to the city and back.

The new replacement belt tensioner was the wrong one, it rubbed on the
belt when installed so we had to remove it and put back the old
tensioner but used the new pulley from the new replacement as the old
pulley ran rough. Even after a new belt was put on, the chirp/squeal was
still there but only when revving the engine. This indicated that
perhaps the belt was slipping.

I looked down to the old tensioner and saw that instead of running
smoothly, it was bouncing a bit. This indicated to me that perhaps the
spring was weak. I went out today and picked up another tensioner from a
wrecking yard, checked for good bearing and tension, it was good. Put
this on, fired up the engine and it gave a couple of quick chirps, then
ran quiet. The pulley from this wrecking yard tensioner had a wee bit of
oil and crap on it.

I ran it around town for a test run, doing quick accelerations to see if
the noise came back but it ran quiet right through the test.

Hopefully this was the issue and problem solved but will know more
tomorrow on the longer trip.

Next week, I am taking the vehicle into the ford dealer to run a test
for any codes to see if all checks out OK. The ping and loss of power
may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
though if code reading comes up empty.

Allan

"Allan" > wrote in message
. ..
> Ulysses wrote:
> > "Allan" > wrote in message
> > . ..
> >> A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
> >> Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.
> >>
> >> It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing
sound
> >> and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
> >> where it's coming from.
> >>
> >> I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
> >> difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is
not
> >> coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
> >> belt, still no change.
> >>
> >> Possibly the water pump?
> >>
> >> Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine,
the
> >> only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
> >> Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask
about
> >> this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
> >> (progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
> >> advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
> >> injectors?
> >>
> >> Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!
> >>
> >> Allan
> >
> > Personally I would remove the belt and run the engine for a few seconds
and
> > see if it goes away--that would narrow it down to something that is
driven
> > by the belt. You could try turning stuff by hand and see if something
is
> > squeaking or hard to turn.
> >
> > If it's pinging I would think you'd be getting an error code.
> >
> >
> I'm hoping we may have solved the problem. I'll know more tomorrow when
> I run the vehicle to the city and back.
>
> The new replacement belt tensioner was the wrong one, it rubbed on the
> belt when installed so we had to remove it and put back the old
> tensioner but used the new pulley from the new replacement as the old
> pulley ran rough. Even after a new belt was put on, the chirp/squeal was
> still there but only when revving the engine. This indicated that
> perhaps the belt was slipping.

What brand of belt did you put on there? I think every case I've read about
(except yours where the tensioner actually had sign of problems) where the
tensioner was suspect it turned out that the after-market belt was just a
bit too long.

>
> I looked down to the old tensioner and saw that instead of running
> smoothly, it was bouncing a bit. This indicated to me that perhaps the
> spring was weak. I went out today and picked up another tensioner from a
> wrecking yard, checked for good bearing and tension, it was good. Put
> this on, fired up the engine and it gave a couple of quick chirps, then
> ran quiet. The pulley from this wrecking yard tensioner had a wee bit of
> oil and crap on it.
>
> I ran it around town for a test run, doing quick accelerations to see if
> the noise came back but it ran quiet right through the test.
>
> Hopefully this was the issue and problem solved but will know more
> tomorrow on the longer trip.
>
> Next week, I am taking the vehicle into the ford dealer to run a test
> for any codes to see if all checks out OK.

Just in case you don't know many auto parts stores will check the codes for
free. I suspect that Ford will charge you $80 or something like that plus
they will find $6000 of repairs that you need.

The ping and loss of power
> may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
> empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
> Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
> though if code reading comes up empty.
>

It sounds like you are the kind of guy that woulnd't have a dirty air filter
but have you checked the MAF and the IAC? My daughter's '97 (4.0L OHV) had
the CEL on but I don't think she mentioned any pinging and I blew out the
air filter (we drive on dirt roads a lot so we don't change the filter every
time it gets dirty), cleaned the IAC and MAF and throttle body and after
driving it a few times the CEL went off and stayed off.

I have a '92 Exploder and at about 240,000 miles it was pinging and I had to
replace the timing chain but this is very rare on the OHV engine. It was
off by two teeth. It sounds like you have the same engine and NOT the SOHC
which has a lot of problems with timing chain tensioners. If the 8th digit
on you VIN is X then it's the OHV. Another thing that can cause a pinging
sound is a bad starter motor--the gear won't retract and you will hear it
hitting the flywheel but usually only while going uphill.

> Allan

Ulysses wrote:
> "Allan" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> Ulysses wrote:
>>> "Allan" > wrote in message
>>> . ..
>>>> A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
>>>> Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing
> sound
>>>> and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
>>>> where it's coming from.
>>>>
>>>> I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
>>>> difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is
> not
>>>> coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
>>>> belt, still no change.
>>>>
>>>> Possibly the water pump?
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine,
> the
>>>> only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
>>>> Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask
> about
>>>> this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
>>>> (progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
>>>> advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
>>>> injectors?
>>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!
>>>>
>>>> Allan
>>> Personally I would remove the belt and run the engine for a few seconds
> and
>>> see if it goes away--that would narrow it down to something that is
> driven
>>> by the belt. You could try turning stuff by hand and see if something
> is
>>> squeaking or hard to turn.
>>>
>>> If it's pinging I would think you'd be getting an error code.
>>>
>>>
>> I'm hoping we may have solved the problem. I'll know more tomorrow when
>> I run the vehicle to the city and back.
>>
>> The new replacement belt tensioner was the wrong one, it rubbed on the
>> belt when installed so we had to remove it and put back the old
>> tensioner but used the new pulley from the new replacement as the old
>> pulley ran rough. Even after a new belt was put on, the chirp/squeal was
>> still there but only when revving the engine. This indicated that
>> perhaps the belt was slipping.
>
> What brand of belt did you put on there? I think every case I've read about
> (except yours where the tensioner actually had sign of problems) where the
> tensioner was suspect it turned out that the after-market belt was just a
> bit too long.
>
>> I looked down to the old tensioner and saw that instead of running
>> smoothly, it was bouncing a bit. This indicated to me that perhaps the
>> spring was weak. I went out today and picked up another tensioner from a
>> wrecking yard, checked for good bearing and tension, it was good. Put
>> this on, fired up the engine and it gave a couple of quick chirps, then
>> ran quiet. The pulley from this wrecking yard tensioner had a wee bit of
>> oil and crap on it.
>>
>> I ran it around town for a test run, doing quick accelerations to see if
>> the noise came back but it ran quiet right through the test.
>>
>> Hopefully this was the issue and problem solved but will know more
>> tomorrow on the longer trip.
>>
>> Next week, I am taking the vehicle into the ford dealer to run a test
>> for any codes to see if all checks out OK.
>
> Just in case you don't know many auto parts stores will check the codes for
> free. I suspect that Ford will charge you $80 or something like that plus
> they will find $6000 of repairs that you need.
>
> The ping and loss of power
>> may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
>> empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
>> Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
>> though if code reading comes up empty.
>>
>
> It sounds like you are the kind of guy that woulnd't have a dirty air filter
> but have you checked the MAF and the IAC? My daughter's '97 (4.0L OHV) had
> the CEL on but I don't think she mentioned any pinging and I blew out the
> air filter (we drive on dirt roads a lot so we don't change the filter every
> time it gets dirty), cleaned the IAC and MAF and throttle body and after
> driving it a few times the CEL went off and stayed off.
>
> I have a '92 Exploder and at about 240,000 miles it was pinging and I had to
> replace the timing chain but this is very rare on the OHV engine. It was
> off by two teeth. It sounds like you have the same engine and NOT the SOHC
> which has a lot of problems with timing chain tensioners. If the 8th digit
> on you VIN is X then it's the OHV. Another thing that can cause a pinging
> sound is a bad starter motor--the gear won't retract and you will hear it
> hitting the flywheel but usually only while going uphill.
>
>> Allan
>
>

Air filter is clean, IAC was just replaced due to bad idle. Haven't done
anything about the MAF, don't even know what that is or where it is.

No check engine light, all lights are off on the dash when running.
Everything runs normal except for power loss, ping and this dang
screeching sound. My pinging is more like a rattle like lifters are
loose or something but only hear this when under load like hill
climbing, accelerating, etc. My dad's old straight six pickup on the
farm did this.

My VIN is X for the 8th digit so then that would be the 4.0L OHV.

One other odd thing is when it's cold, out side temperature being 10
degrees C or lower, oil gauge sits on the bottom, CEL is one, then oil
gauge needle jumps to normal after engine has warmed up.

Back to the chirping, I thought it was belt related, tensioner, idler,
bad belt, possibly bad bearing in the alternator. New tensioner was put
on, new belt, new idler bearing, still chirps. Tonight my wife and I
went to visit a friend, when we were coming back, the chirping came
back, this time accompanied by a screech.

I opened the hood and listened while it was idling. The sound started
almost inaudible, then built up to a screech, went quiet, then started
to build up again to the screech. The sound was definitely coming from
the top of the engine, about halfway to the back or maybe all the way to
the back of the engine, was NOT from the front at all. I was almost
certain this was where the sound was coming from the other day before
belt change and tensioner was changed.

Could this be a time chain issue?

I drive on alot of gravel out where I live, pavement too. Suspension is
starting to sound like squeaky bedsprings.

Since this all started, I haven't driven it much at all, don't want to
damage anything.

Looks like it's back to driving the gas hog pickup until I get this
sorted out.

Thanks

Allan

On Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:29:25 -0600, Allan >
wrote:

>Ulysses wrote:
>> "Allan" > wrote in message
>> . ..
>>> Ulysses wrote:
>>>> "Allan" > wrote in message
>>>> . ..
>>>>> A very funny sound started to come from under the hood of my '99
>>>>> Explorer 4.0 EFI with 131,00km.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like a bad or very dry bearing, it gives off a squealing
>> sound
>>>>> and other times a chirp. This is intermittent and very hard to detect
>>>>> where it's coming from.
>>>>>
>>>>> I thought at first it was the belt tensioner, so we changed that. No
>>>>> difference. We then changed the idler pulley. Still no change. It is
>> not
>>>>> coming from the alternator, that is running quiet. We also changed the
>>>>> belt, still no change.
>>>>>
>>>>> Possibly the water pump?
>>>>>
>>>>> Sometimes the sound seems like it comes from the back of the engine,
>> the
>>>>> only thing back there is the distributor. Could this cause that noise?
>>>>> Bad bearing on the shaft? I wouldn't think so but the reason I ask
>> about
>>>>> this is that the engine has been having a bit of loss in power
>>>>> (progressively) and it pings badly under load, almost like it's not
>>>>> advancing, again progressive. Possibly this may just be caused by dirty
>>>>> injectors?
>>>>>
>>>>> Any help would be appreciated, this has me stumped!
>>>>>
>>>>> Allan
>>>> Personally I would remove the belt and run the engine for a few seconds
>> and
>>>> see if it goes away--that would narrow it down to something that is
>> driven
>>>> by the belt. You could try turning stuff by hand and see if something
>> is
>>>> squeaking or hard to turn.
>>>>
>>>> If it's pinging I would think you'd be getting an error code.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> I'm hoping we may have solved the problem. I'll know more tomorrow when
>>> I run the vehicle to the city and back.
>>>
>>> The new replacement belt tensioner was the wrong one, it rubbed on the
>>> belt when installed so we had to remove it and put back the old
>>> tensioner but used the new pulley from the new replacement as the old
>>> pulley ran rough. Even after a new belt was put on, the chirp/squeal was
>>> still there but only when revving the engine. This indicated that
>>> perhaps the belt was slipping.
>>
>> What brand of belt did you put on there? I think every case I've read about
>> (except yours where the tensioner actually had sign of problems) where the
>> tensioner was suspect it turned out that the after-market belt was just a
>> bit too long.
>>
>>> I looked down to the old tensioner and saw that instead of running
>>> smoothly, it was bouncing a bit. This indicated to me that perhaps the
>>> spring was weak. I went out today and picked up another tensioner from a
>>> wrecking yard, checked for good bearing and tension, it was good. Put
>>> this on, fired up the engine and it gave a couple of quick chirps, then
>>> ran quiet. The pulley from this wrecking yard tensioner had a wee bit of
>>> oil and crap on it.
>>>
>>> I ran it around town for a test run, doing quick accelerations to see if
>>> the noise came back but it ran quiet right through the test.
>>>
>>> Hopefully this was the issue and problem solved but will know more
>>> tomorrow on the longer trip.
>>>
>>> Next week, I am taking the vehicle into the ford dealer to run a test
>>> for any codes to see if all checks out OK.
>>
>> Just in case you don't know many auto parts stores will check the codes for
>> free. I suspect that Ford will charge you $80 or something like that plus
>> they will find $6000 of repairs that you need.
>>
>> The ping and loss of power
>>> may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
>>> empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
>>> Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
>>> though if code reading comes up empty.
>>>
>>
>> It sounds like you are the kind of guy that woulnd't have a dirty air filter
>> but have you checked the MAF and the IAC? My daughter's '97 (4.0L OHV) had
>> the CEL on but I don't think she mentioned any pinging and I blew out the
>> air filter (we drive on dirt roads a lot so we don't change the filter every
>> time it gets dirty), cleaned the IAC and MAF and throttle body and after
>> driving it a few times the CEL went off and stayed off.
>>
>> I have a '92 Exploder and at about 240,000 miles it was pinging and I had to
>> replace the timing chain but this is very rare on the OHV engine. It was
>> off by two teeth. It sounds like you have the same engine and NOT the SOHC
>> which has a lot of problems with timing chain tensioners. If the 8th digit
>> on you VIN is X then it's the OHV. Another thing that can cause a pinging
>> sound is a bad starter motor--the gear won't retract and you will hear it
>> hitting the flywheel but usually only while going uphill.
>>
>>> Allan
>>
>>
>
>Air filter is clean, IAC was just replaced due to bad idle. Haven't done
>anything about the MAF, don't even know what that is or where it is.
>
>No check engine light, all lights are off on the dash when running.
>Everything runs normal except for power loss, ping and this dang
>screeching sound. My pinging is more like a rattle like lifters are
>loose or something but only hear this when under load like hill
>climbing, accelerating, etc. My dad's old straight six pickup on the
>farm did this.
>
>My VIN is X for the 8th digit so then that would be the 4.0L OHV.
>
>One other odd thing is when it's cold, out side temperature being 10
>degrees C or lower, oil gauge sits on the bottom, CEL is one, then oil
>gauge needle jumps to normal after engine has warmed up.
>
>Back to the chirping, I thought it was belt related, tensioner, idler,
>bad belt, possibly bad bearing in the alternator. New tensioner was put
>on, new belt, new idler bearing, still chirps. Tonight my wife and I
>went to visit a friend, when we were coming back, the chirping came
>back, this time accompanied by a screech.
>
>I opened the hood and listened while it was idling. The sound started
>almost inaudible, then built up to a screech, went quiet, then started
>to build up again to the screech. The sound was definitely coming from
>the top of the engine, about halfway to the back or maybe all the way to
>the back of the engine, was NOT from the front at all. I was almost
>certain this was where the sound was coming from the other day before
>belt change and tensioner was changed.
>
>Could this be a time chain issue?
>
>I drive on alot of gravel out where I live, pavement too. Suspension is
>starting to sound like squeaky bedsprings.
>
>Since this all started, I haven't driven it much at all, don't want to
>damage anything.
>
>Looks like it's back to driving the gas hog pickup until I get this
>sorted out.
>
>Thanks
>
>Allan

I had a '92 with the OHV engine and had pinging problems all the time.
There were a lot of posts in this group about the cause being leaking
intake manifold gaskets, but don't know if that applies to the '99. I
had a '99 but it was the SOHC engine and I did not have pinging
problems with that. I finally started using premium gas in my '92 and
that stopped the pinging, but may not be an option with the '99 as it
might cause the CEL to come on.

On mine, I have a bad feeling that it is more serious, the screeching,
chirping noise coming from the top of the engine towards the back has me
thinking the engine will have to come apart. Sounds like a dry bearing
somewhere.

My ping is lifter noise, rattles like a diesel, not when idling mind you
or general running but when power is needed.

Looks like the vehicle will have to pay a visit to the Ford repair shop.

>
> I had a '92 with the OHV engine and had pinging problems all the time.
> There were a lot of posts in this group about the cause being leaking
> intake manifold gaskets, but don't know if that applies to the '99. I
> had a '99 but it was the SOHC engine and I did not have pinging
> problems with that. I finally started using premium gas in my '92 and
> that stopped the pinging, but may not be an option with the '99 as it
> might cause the CEL to come on.

"Allan" > wrote in message
. ..
>> > The ping and loss of power
> >> may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
> >> empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
> >> Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
> >> though if code reading comes up empty.

On the earlier Explorers there were lots of problems with leaking head
gaskets and that could result in a loss of power under a load such as going
up a hill but you would probably have other symptoms such as your coolant
overflowing and it might run too hot.

> >>
> No check engine light, all lights are off on the dash when running.
> Everything runs normal except for power loss, ping and this dang
> screeching sound. My pinging is more like a rattle like lifters are
> loose or something but only hear this when under load like hill
> climbing, accelerating, etc. My dad's old straight six pickup on the
> farm did this.
>
> My VIN is X for the 8th digit so then that would be the 4.0L OHV.
>
> One other odd thing is when it's cold, out side temperature being 10
> degrees C or lower, oil gauge sits on the bottom, CEL is one, then oil
> gauge needle jumps to normal after engine has warmed up.
>
> Back to the chirping, I thought it was belt related, tensioner, idler,
> bad belt, possibly bad bearing in the alternator. New tensioner was put
> on, new belt, new idler bearing, still chirps. Tonight my wife and I
> went to visit a friend, when we were coming back, the chirping came
> back, this time accompanied by a screech.
>
> I opened the hood and listened while it was idling. The sound started
> almost inaudible, then built up to a screech, went quiet, then started
> to build up again to the screech. The sound was definitely coming from
> the top of the engine, about halfway to the back or maybe all the way to
> the back of the engine, was NOT from the front at all. I was almost
> certain this was where the sound was coming from the other day before
> belt change and tensioner was changed.

Gee whiz, the only thing that comes to my mind that could cause screeching
would be a slipping belt and it sounds like you ruled that out. If nobody
else shows up soon with some more ideas it sounds lilke you might have to
take it to Ford. As far as the timing chain goes that is extremely unlikely
on your engine.

On second thought power steering pumps can make a screeching noise if they
are low on fluid or maybe are just plain worn out. It's (or used to be) on
the driver's side near the front so I suppose it could sound like it's in
the middle.



>
> Could this be a time chain issue?
>
> Looks like it's back to driving the gas hog pickup until I get this
> sorted out.

Yea, well, at least you have a pickup in the meantime. My wife wants me to
sell my old '78 F350 cause it gets such terrible gas mileage but heck,
sometimes you just need a pickup. Besides that I just like it. It's not
just a truck, it's an adventure.

>
> Thanks
>
> Allan

Ulysses wrote:
> "Allan" > wrote in message
> . ..
>>>> The ping and loss of power
>>>> may be nothing more than dirty injectors. I've fueled it from close to
>>>> empty and added injector cleaner to see if things come back to normal.
>>>> Probably be a good three tanks of fuel before any noticeable difference
>>>> though if code reading comes up empty.
>
> On the earlier Explorers there were lots of problems with leaking head
> gaskets and that could result in a loss of power under a load such as going
> up a hill but you would probably have other symptoms such as your coolant
> overflowing and it might run too hot.
>
>> No check engine light, all lights are off on the dash when running.
>> Everything runs normal except for power loss, ping and this dang
>> screeching sound. My pinging is more like a rattle like lifters are
>> loose or something but only hear this when under load like hill
>> climbing, accelerating, etc. My dad's old straight six pickup on the
>> farm did this.
>>
>> My VIN is X for the 8th digit so then that would be the 4.0L OHV.
>>
>> One other odd thing is when it's cold, out side temperature being 10
>> degrees C or lower, oil gauge sits on the bottom, CEL is one, then oil
>> gauge needle jumps to normal after engine has warmed up.
>>
>> Back to the chirping, I thought it was belt related, tensioner, idler,
>> bad belt, possibly bad bearing in the alternator. New tensioner was put
>> on, new belt, new idler bearing, still chirps. Tonight my wife and I
>> went to visit a friend, when we were coming back, the chirping came
>> back, this time accompanied by a screech.
>>
>> I opened the hood and listened while it was idling. The sound started
>> almost inaudible, then built up to a screech, went quiet, then started
>> to build up again to the screech. The sound was definitely coming from
>> the top of the engine, about halfway to the back or maybe all the way to
>> the back of the engine, was NOT from the front at all. I was almost
>> certain this was where the sound was coming from the other day before
>> belt change and tensioner was changed.
>
> Gee whiz, the only thing that comes to my mind that could cause screeching
> would be a slipping belt and it sounds like you ruled that out. If nobody
> else shows up soon with some more ideas it sounds lilke you might have to
> take it to Ford. As far as the timing chain goes that is extremely unlikely
> on your engine.
>
> On second thought power steering pumps can make a screeching noise if they
> are low on fluid or maybe are just plain worn out. It's (or used to be) on
> the driver's side near the front so I suppose it could sound like it's in
> the middle.
>
>
>
>> Could this be a time chain issue?
>>
>> Looks like it's back to driving the gas hog pickup until I get this
>> sorted out.
>
> Yea, well, at least you have a pickup in the meantime. My wife wants me to
> sell my old '78 F350 cause it gets such terrible gas mileage but heck,
> sometimes you just need a pickup. Besides that I just like it. It's not
> just a truck, it's an adventure.
>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Allan
>
>
Well, Discovery Ford has the Explorer now, they will diagnose it
tomorrow. Mechanic had a peek, there is a shaft that is where what used
to be called the distributor. He said other fords with the same type of
engine had the same problem. Doesn't sound like it's a timing belt or
chain, runs too smooth for that. I'll know more when they call me with
the bad news...or good, depending on how one looks at it.

It was funny, got the hood open, we were all gathered around it at the
service entrance, not a peep out of the dang thing. Then
suddenly...screech, chirp, chirp. They all heard it!

My pickup is '84 GMC Sierra, 350 engine, goes like stink. My wife would
rather me not have that either but....today, she's glad it's here;-) At
110km/hr in OD, tac reads 1900 rpm. Explorer does 2200rpm.

Cheers!

Allan