AAARGH! Timing chain woes & Mobil 1

[40410]

Well, I took my truck into the FORD shop last Wednesday for timing chain issues on my 2001 4.0 SOHC with only 66K. It's now Monday eve and I'm trying to hang in there. At my last phone call to FORD tonite, they said "They were wrapping it up and want to QC it tomorrow, should be done by noon". I OK'd the tensioners and haven't heard back if they put cassettes in or not. $1400+ I was warned...if its the rear expect $2500. So, that's just some of my woes.

Another big concern I have is I have been running Mobil 1 since my truck was only 13K when I bought it. I changed it faithfully, even with Mobil 1 filter. So, running Mobil 1 with only 66K miles and I have a major engine problem? What does that say about Mobil 1? I think I'm going to abandon synthetics if they can't do better than that!

I knew the 2000-2001 4.0s had timing chain issues but they usually started around 70-75K. I didn't even get that lucky! I used to run Castrol in my cars for years and years, maybe its time to go back.

 

[88_Eddie]

that sucks man. the SOHC is known for timing chain issues. i'll probably regret saying this, but i've got 198k+ on my 2000 SOHC, no trouble at all. i've always run pennzoil 5w30 and a fram or motorcraft filter. always changed it on time too. started out doing it at 3k, now i go to about 4 or 5k.

you have to remember, ford designed these engines to use a certain type/weight of oil. stray from that and you run the risk of possibly damaging something.

 

[adsm08]

The issue isn't the oil. The issues is in the chain tensioners and their inability to hold proper tension on the chain guides. The noise you hear is the chain slapping, and the slap is what damages the guides. Since the tensioner is basically a big bolt with a spring-loaded plunger on the end.

The tensioners are not fed by the lube oil system like they are on the 3.0 DOHC and Triton engines.


66k is actually fairly low miles for an 11 year old vehicle. My bet is that the tensioners wore while sitting since they still have push back from the chain guides.

 

[AllanD]

This is why if I EVER determine that the 165hp from my OHV ain't enough
a 4.0SOHC isn't even remotely in consideration.

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[40410]

What are the "official" years Ford made the 4.0 with the tensioner/timing chain issues? My neighbor has a 2003 with about the same mileage and he's worried.

 

[adsm08]

I don't think the problem was officially fixed until 2005 or 2006.

Not all of them do it though. It's one of those problems that is known, but it is no reason to go out and sell a vehicle that is not doing it and is in otherwise good condition.

 

[AllanD]

a couple of months ago I had to tow a 2002 Explorer with a bad passenger side (rear) chain guide...

That sound was pure ugliness.

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[Jraymer360]

My grandparents got 175K Out of an 02 Mountaineer ...Sounded like a diesel when they sold it. they probably got oil changes like every 8k+ too.

 

[shane96ranger]

The issue isn't the oil.

Isn't the SOHC 4.0 one of the motors that Ford "reclassified" as a 5W-20 motor? Is their timing chain "fix"?

I know my Dad uses 10W-30 in his 99 Explorer, and as I've mentioned before, the chains make a little noise. I just know that he's going to want me to do it.


EDIT: It was the 5.0 on the list. Not the SOHC. If anyone cares to see the list they changed the specs on, here you go:

 

[adsm08]

Nope, no Ford 4.0L has ever used anything but 5-30.

 

[adsm08]

My grandparents got 175K Out of an 02 Mountaineer ...Sounded like a diesel when they sold it. they probably got oil changes like every 8k+ too.

It truly is amazing what these engines can do even when they get neglected.

 

[Jraymer360]

It truly is amazing what these engines can do even when they get neglected.

Yep and my aunt and uncle drove it and their notorious for beating on their vehicles / crashing them a ton. so i'm super surprised it lasted that long...

supposedly they drove it with the timing chain bad for like...a week or two without knowing it was the motor.

 

[gw33gp]

Nope, no Ford 4.0L has ever used anything but 5-30.

Mine does.

BTW, I do know what you mean. I like to go to a little higher viscosity when the engine gets above 100K miles. I am running a mix of 5W-30 and 10W-40 now at 143K miles. I have used Valvoline full synthetic from the first oil change at around 3,500 miles.

The engine is still as quiet as new and runs as well as new. It actually runs better with the engine freed up a little as it is worn in nicely now. I am hoping to get at least 300K miles out of it.

 

[40410]

Well, supposedly my pass. side tensioner broke apart and was down in my front oil pan. They changed the tensioners and a cassette guide along with my oil & filter when they opened the front half of the pan. I haven't heard the $ damage as I'll know tomorrow morning.

Do the tensioners collapse? break apart? just fall off? I'm worried now about pieces in my oil - any reason to be concerned with small parts in there?

 

[JeffyJingles]

I have an 04 4.0 SOHC and had similar timing chain problem on both front and rear. the engine started making the ugly timing chain described by most before dying on me. had the engine rebuilt at 155k and now at 195k the chain is starting to make make that slap sound against the guides when i accelerate to over 2700rpm's (only on the driver side). I started using a 10w-40 mobil1 and it took care of some of the sound but not all of it. i don't necessarily believe the type of oil was to blame, most likely the chain guides or tension-er broke.