Need troubleshooting help on 96 Explorer 4.0 V6

Husky44

10 Year Member

Sep 27, 2006

865

104

74

Tacoma, WA

Jan 1, 2011

#1

• Jan 1, 2011

• #1

My kid's Explorer is giving him trouble, and I'm stuck. Any help on where to start looking for this problem would be greatly appreciated:

96 Explorer, 4x4, 4.0 V6, 125k miles, rattling (similar to shaking a can full of ball bearings) from rear of engine. Noise came on suddenly in past few days. Only occurs at idle, when additional load applied by A/C compressor engaging, or PS pump when you crank the wheel all the way to one side. At 1500 RPM, noise goes away. No performance problems today, but last night from a cold start, it would not hold an idle without additional fuel.
No codes on the computer. Any ideas what might be the problem, or where to start looking?

Thanks,
Greg

 

Adam95GT

New Member

Aug 14, 2006

2,564

3

0

Burlington, NJ

Jan 1, 2011

#2

• Jan 1, 2011

• #2

Possible iac valve issue causing low idle and engine shake rattling exhaust or something?

Is the rattling internal? Or can you track it down?

 

Adam95GT

New Member

Aug 14, 2006

2,564

3

0

Burlington, NJ

Jan 1, 2011

#3

• Jan 1, 2011

• #3

Just did some research (on my phone so nothing profound) but there seems to be issues with timing chain rattle and carbon build up issues. Also I read something about it happening right after an oilchange. Another post said something about a lifter or pushrod issue

 

MysteryMachine

Active Member

Jun 21, 2003

1,835

2

39

Parkesburg, PA

Jan 1, 2011

#4

• Jan 1, 2011

• #4

I think 96 changed to the goofy timing chain setup on them. There's 4 of them I believe. They are known to cause issues.

 

Husky44

10 Year Member

Sep 27, 2006

865

104

74

Tacoma, WA

Jan 1, 2011

#5

• Jan 1, 2011

• #5

Adam95GT said:

Possible iac valve issue causing low idle and engine shake rattling exhaust or something?

Is the rattling internal? Or can you track it down?

Click to expand...

I don't think the rattle is coming from engine shake; I thought about exhaust, but it'd have to be a visible, violent shake to make that much noise.

I can't tell where it is, other than it sounds like it's coming from the back of the block. Other than that, not much help to locate.

 

Husky44

10 Year Member

Sep 27, 2006

865

104

74

Tacoma, WA

Jan 1, 2011

#6

• Jan 1, 2011

• #6

MysteryMachine said:

I think 96 changed to the goofy timing chain setup on them. There's 4 of them I believe. They are known to cause issues.

Click to expand...

That didn't happen until 97 from what I can find.

 

onlyme

Member

May 9, 2003

375

0

17

missouri

Jan 1, 2011

#7

• Jan 1, 2011

• #7

Yeah you should check out this website Ford Explorer and Ranger Enthusiast Forums - Serious Explorations. The 4.0 SOHC is known for timing chain issues though. It matters if it's a 2wd or 4wd, the 4wd had a extra jackshaft with an extra chain, otherwise there is 3 chains, or 4 with the jackshaft.

 

Husky44

10 Year Member

Sep 27, 2006

865

104

74

Tacoma, WA

Jan 1, 2011

#8

• Jan 1, 2011

• #8

onlyme said:

Yeah you should check out this website Ford Explorer and Ranger Enthusiast Forums - Serious Explorations. The 4.0 SOHC is known for timing chain issues though. It matters if it's a 2wd or 4wd, the 4wd had a extra jackshaft with an extra chain, otherwise there is 3 chains, or 4 with the jackshaft.

Click to expand...

Everything I read says the SOHC didn't come out until 97.

 

onlyme

Member

May 9, 2003

375

0

17

missouri

Jan 2, 2011

#9

• Jan 2, 2011

• #9

I haven't read much about the other 4.0, but I'm sure they would be able to answer your question there, about the noise in the motor. I have a 01 explorer sport 4.0 sohc 4x4 and I have found a wealth of information there.

 

MysteryMachine

Active Member

Jun 21, 2003

1,835

2

39

Parkesburg, PA

Jan 2, 2011

#10

• Jan 2, 2011

• #10

I'm a member on there too. I was actually gonna suggest checking them out.

I thought it was 3 or 4 but couldn't remember for sure. I knew 1 in the front 2 going front to back. Wasn't sure if there was a rear one or not.

I had a 95 it ran great. When I got the 96 gt I gave the explorer to my parents. They sold it to my one sister. After she had it a couple weeks it started having torque converter/trans issues. They went away I guess on their own. It had like 186k on it when I stopped driving it. It's still going for her.

They are great little suv's.

 

fiveoho

15 Year Member

Apr 28, 2005

1,958

16

69

TN

Jan 4, 2011

#11

• Jan 4, 2011

• #11

my 98 explorer rattles at idle on startup, especially cold start up. but its the tc tensioners i believe. i think you are right, 96 4.0's were OHV. 97 up had the option of the 4.0 OHV or the 4.0 SOHC.

sort of a blind guess but have you stethoscoped anything?

good look on finding the issue and hopefully its minor,which im sure it is. those ohv motors are good motors.

 

onlyme

Member

May 9, 2003

375

0

17

missouri

Jan 5, 2011

#12

• Jan 5, 2011

• #12

I found a couple of threads that might help for the 4.0 OHV

The infamous OHV 4.0 rattle, tap, tap, is indeed the lifters! - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

the infamous rattling 98 4.0 OHV - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

 

Husky44

10 Year Member

Sep 27, 2006

865

104

74

Tacoma, WA

Jan 7, 2011

#13

• Jan 7, 2011

• #13

Thanks for all the ideas. I haven't found the problem. Tested IAC valve, and it's good (cleaned it anyway since I had it off). No change.

By two days after I posted this, the problem had completely gone away.

I'd love to take credit, but I'd reached the point of total surrender. Least it's not a problem (for now)...