2005 Sport Trac XLT timing chain

Brian · Oct 30, 2024

About a week ago I got a real nasty rapping noise from the engine. Really hard to pin point the location so figure it wasn't valve train and not loud enough fer a rod. Managed to limp it to a local garage where a quick inspection seems to have confirmed my suspicions. Has anyone had to do this? And yes, I learned this motor has 2 chains. I don't have facilities to do this myself....I figure up to $2000 to fix. Opinions?

swshawaii · Oct 30, 2024

DIY? Your call, but expect to pay upwards of $5000 to have a qualified shop do it. Good luck.

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Brian · Oct 30, 2024

SWS, thanks but yeah....haven't done the job but not afraid of much at my age. Just don't have a garage here in the bush....yet. Local shop (only one for 60km) is pretty good. I figure up to $500 fer parts and about ten hours labour so another $1500 or so. Not sure where yer gettin $5000?

swshawaii · Oct 30, 2024

@Brian
Just from what I've read. Maybe "stealership" pricing? I may have misread posts regarding the $5000 price where the engine or long block was replaced with new or remanufactured. Either way, when the time comes I'll be using OE Ford or Motorcraft parts for my engine. As reputable as most Cloyes and Melling aftermarket parts are, I've read about early failures with their 4.0L SOHC timing chain components. Here's a thread I started on EF in 2017 with some interesting comments.

https://www.explorerforum.com/forum...inforced-timing-chain-guides-possible.458231/

Brian · Oct 31, 2024

Agree about OEM parts with internal components. And yeah, stealership prices. This is a dealer I'm using but the service manager is a neighbour and up here in BF nowhere folks tend to watch out fer each other. Anyhow, if it's more than $2000 I'll have a Sport Trac fer sale...

cadman777 · Oct 31, 2024

If it's got the 5R55E tranny, you may want to put the servo piston kit in it while the engine's out.
Remover the tranny, then the engine.

Brian · Nov 3, 2024

Well, got word from the shop. Both chains are shot. They estimated $5000 to repair. Guess I was dreaming. Sooo, I'll be parting this out. I'll list it in the appropriate forum. Damn. Kinda hoped to not have to buy another vehicle.