Recently, my wife and I purchased a 2000 Explorer XLT 4x4 with the 4.0L SOHC engine.
We got it for a good price with a clean body, but it needed some work like any used vehicle with 137,000 miles on it would.
One of the items needed worked on was the Lower intake gasket. Well, my brother and I did that along with a new thermostat, plugs, wires, timing chain tensioner, volume reduction plug into the left cylinder head oil galley and New oil galley plug. While I had everything apart, I also replaced the TB spacer and TB gasket. We also cleaned the ISC valve, Throttle body, upper and lower manifold, and the ducts to the intake valves. So far, the engine runs as smooth as glass. We will find out in the morning if that was the fix it needed.
If anyone is willing to tackle that job, it isn't that hard to do. It actually sounds more labor intensive than it actually is. First off, this repair is for the 2001 Job 1 Sport Trac's and earlier Explorer models with the SOHC engine. The 2001 Job 2 and latter is not affected by this problem. No timing chain rattle, no intake gasket leaks, nothing. If you suspect you have a timing chain rattle and you have a 2001 Job 2 or later model, you do not have the timing chain rattle since that model of engine does not have that problem.
Some of the signs you have a lower gasket leak.
Eratic idle and lower then usual. (about 450 RPM)
On a cold start-up, the engine will start right up, idle for about 15 seconds then want to stall.
Loss of power, but will start to act normal after it is at normal operating temperature.
Signs you have the timing chain rattle.
2001 Job 1 Engine only
An engine rattling noise that occurs just after cold engine start up and goes away within a few minutes after the engine is running indicates the need to install a new camshaft chain tensioner.
As I said, it is not as hard as it sounds and it worth the time spent.
Tom
We got it for a good price with a clean body, but it needed some work like any used vehicle with 137,000 miles on it would.
One of the items needed worked on was the Lower intake gasket. Well, my brother and I did that along with a new thermostat, plugs, wires, timing chain tensioner, volume reduction plug into the left cylinder head oil galley and New oil galley plug. While I had everything apart, I also replaced the TB spacer and TB gasket. We also cleaned the ISC valve, Throttle body, upper and lower manifold, and the ducts to the intake valves. So far, the engine runs as smooth as glass. We will find out in the morning if that was the fix it needed.
If anyone is willing to tackle that job, it isn't that hard to do. It actually sounds more labor intensive than it actually is. First off, this repair is for the 2001 Job 1 Sport Trac's and earlier Explorer models with the SOHC engine. The 2001 Job 2 and latter is not affected by this problem. No timing chain rattle, no intake gasket leaks, nothing. If you suspect you have a timing chain rattle and you have a 2001 Job 2 or later model, you do not have the timing chain rattle since that model of engine does not have that problem.
Some of the signs you have a lower gasket leak.
Eratic idle and lower then usual. (about 450 RPM)
On a cold start-up, the engine will start right up, idle for about 15 seconds then want to stall.
Loss of power, but will start to act normal after it is at normal operating temperature.
Signs you have the timing chain rattle.
2001 Job 1 Engine only
An engine rattling noise that occurs just after cold engine start up and goes away within a few minutes after the engine is running indicates the need to install a new camshaft chain tensioner.
As I said, it is not as hard as it sounds and it worth the time spent.
Tom
