98 Explorer sohc 4.0 timing fix

There are 2 indeed but it's the Driver's side that usually causes the
problem (passenger side on your truck).

> wrote in message
ps.com...

wrote:
> Hello. I have been searching the web for weeks looking for information
> on the timing chain and intake manifold fixes on these 4.0's.
> I have had the truck since it had 98,000 miles on it, it now has
> 150,000. It had a light rattle at startup and has always had a small
> vacuum leak up top.
> The chain rattle has progressed till it rattles most of the time now
> (front left side of motor). A few weeks ago the truck lost almost all
> its power it runs very rough at idle or at speed. It is not missing its
> cutting out. Sometimes before it gets warm the brakes don't want to
> work like it has a vacuum hose leak.
> I am not sure if the chain is lose because of the tensioner and
> cassette or if it has jumped time or if the intake seals have failed.
> The intake looks like an easy fix. I have seen many mixed reports on
> the chain fix. Some say it can be done over the weekend by anybody with
> some mechanical abilities. Some say you cant do it because you have to
> have a special $300.00 tool from ford. And still others say you have to
> pull the motor to do it.
> Any ideas? Even if it turns out to be the intake I would still like to
> do the front chain fix while I have it down. The truck is high mileage
> but it still runs strong and drives great and does not use any oil.
> The people that have posted that they did the fix themselves pretty
> much stop there with no explanation of how they accomplished it and I
> cant find any site with good information on how to do it.
> I would like to do this next weekend if I can gather enough

> information. Thanks


I have had this done by ford and thereare two hydraulic adjusters one
each side in the UK the parts were £40 each so its likely to be $40.
Its not difficult but at the same time you can have the dianostics done
to see what else is wrong or OK.

Ed

"zoti" > wrote in message
...

> > I would like to do this next weekend if I can gather enough
>
I did a few a while back and I have to say its not an easy " do it
yourselfer" job

Valve cover and timing cover/water pump p/s pump and bracket have to come
off
Taking radiator out gives you more room to work
You need special tools to remove dampner and to hold the cranck and cam in
place because the gears don't have slots.
It is a B*tch to get the metal cassette back in and everything lined up

Don't forget to drop the lower oilpan and get the broken pieces out of the
oil pump pick-up tube if pieces are missing from old cassette

Is yours a 4x4 ??? IIRC you had to remove the balance shaft chain also

I think warranty paid about 7 or 8 hours , after doing a couple and some
short cuts you could beat that time but its still alot of work.

Good luck

JohanB wrote:

> Good luck

Well bugger all. I can get the parts for under 200 bucks and could do
the repairs but I cant get the tools needed to time it. The ford dealer
here in town does not even have the tools. I am about to set this big
baby on fire and roast some weenies or something.
At 300 for the tools and 200 for parts I guess it will be cheaper and
easer to stick a motor in it. I found one on ebay with 72,000 miles for
500 bucks plus shipping. All the yards in my part of the country want
800 for a motor with 120,000 to 160,000 miles.
Its hard to believe someone would build a motor and not even bother to
put marks on it so it could be put back in time if anything ever
happened to it. Really sad to because the motor is still strong and
would probably run another 50 or 75 thousand miles if it weren't for
the idiots that designed the timing system for it.