Timing chain 1998 4000cc sohc motor

Your asking if a 2000 4.0l is the same as 1998

I asked because I had a suspension this was a 4.0 SOHC, have you had the recall done addresses the noise, it is caused inmost cases by leaking hydraulic cam chain automatic tensioners, they were recalled back in late 98, it is a free repair if it hasn't been done already. they are easy to change out. To find out if you need the recall visit your Ford dealer and have them run your VIN. I would also never use anything but the recommended oil. I double checked and your truck requires 5W-30W oil (not 5W-20W, my mistake), in this engine due to the way the hydraulic cam chain tensioners work I would not use 10W-30W, the thicker oil can cause slack in the cam chains and cause you the noise you discribed. I am 99% sure you have noise from a slack timing chain based on my 20 years at the Ford dealer.

i dont want to alarm you but you really need to check into this. the only 98 explorers i have heard with clicks have led to timing chain slider failures which is not a good thing,it was cheaper to buy used motor than to repair. go have it checked out or while the motor is running put your hand on top of valve cover on the rear pass side and feel for clicks or small taps or knocks while reving motor slightly. and repeat on the driver side front of engine. and i sure hope this is not your clicking noise location.

Remove your radiator, water pump, and anything else blocking the front of the engine. remove the timing belt cover and there is the belt. The best advice I can give on exact specs is to purchase a Haynes manual. It will give exact specs on lining up timing marks, resetting the timing, and torque specs of all things involved

the dots line up at top dead center(point to each other) and you wound have a harmonic balancer.

should cost less than $100 at a FORD DEALER. mine cost $65 four years ago.

The front of the motor has to be removed to access the chains and guides [which may have broken] This can be done without removing the engine, but there are special tools needed to set the chain timing and also for removal of the crank dampner. It is not an easy task.

There are no timing marks. Timing is done using special tools to hold the crank at top center and a tool to hold each camshaft in position. the cam sprockets are not pinned to the cams. there are also dummy tensioners installed to take up the slack till the tightening is done. Also there are chains at the back of the motor that can only be timed with the motor out of vehical.

Valves Yeah. Put Some Valve Cleaner In Your Gas You Can Buy It At Pretty Much Any Auto Parts Store For About $5.00 If This Doesnt Fix It You May Need A Valve Adjustment.

A Valve Adjustment If Done Yourself Will Take A Repair Manual, Feeler Gauges And A Wrench.


The Timing Chain Is Usually A Steady Scrapping Sound.

If this is a SOHC 4.0 V6 then there is a recall on the tensioners for the timing chain, they cause the kind of noise you speak of, check with ford, this is the SOHC only.