8.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$2,695.00
Average Mileage:
125,625 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- 2 new timing chain cassettes (3 reports)
- serpentine belt tensioner broke , had to replace (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 1998 Ford Explorer tensioner guide rattling
2006Sep 18
Explorer XLT 4.0L Ohco
- Automatic transmission
- 121,000 miles
tensioner broke and its less than one year and now my newest one is ready to brake
2006Nov 27
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
Pissed off to hear that the timing chain needs replacing and will cost almost as much as the half the value of the car. There seems a common issue with the explorer having timing chain problems with no response from Ford. They appear to bury the head in the sand knowing the extent of the repair time and cost. What a piece of sh*t engineering.
2006Nov 04
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
My 1998 Explorer has been my pride and joy for 5 years and I've loved it to bits! But I had a rattle for a few months at start up which disappeared when the engine was warm and was told that this was a tensioner guide rattle and that it shouldn't be a problem. However it appears that a guide became detatched and got caught in the timing chain got carried to the top of the front timing chain cassette and punched a hole in the valve rocker cover. Must be a design fault mustn't it?
According to local Ford dealerships replacement parts will cost about $500 but labour repair costs will be atl least $3,000. My Explorer market value over here is now only about $2,500 - $3,500 max.
It looks as if it's going to be worth more as scrap metal!
So the moral is - ignore engine rattles on your Explorer at your peril.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your engine problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Aug 07
Explorer XLT V6 4.0L Sohc
Apparently this problem is endemic in this engine. Are there any aftermarket parts for the tensioners that aren't plastic? There's got to be some metal parts somewhere.....someone had to have made them?
itconsultant1996
Denver, CO, USA
SEND A COMMENT »