question on timing chain failure

[curtis james]

been reading the timing chain guide failures and on a 04 trac 2wheel drive, friend said he was driving freeway and his trac just went crazy, he said guages went nuts then it died, will not start but turns over, starting fluid makes it pop but will not run, he has 240k miles, any ideas? was thinking his timing chain but not sure. any advise would be appreciated, he knows cars pretty good but more of a old school mechanic.

 

[DILLARD000]

Your friends ExST, what year & engine? 2004 & later has HEC instrument cluster which is a known failure item.

 

[curtis james]

he has a 04 with the k code engine.

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

Never seen the chains do that. My front spring tensioner broke, it ran and drove with a check engine light on.

 

[swshawaii]

Wild gauges are a head scratcher. If you suspect a timing chain issue I'd check compression FIRST.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2352806

 

[curtis james]

thanks.. i was hoping someone maybe had same experience, the way he described it was weird, he is a older man and maintained it well. he said all his warning lights came on and then it died while driving on freeway.

 

[Todd Z]

That could be electrical too..... Specially with all the lights.