Ford 4.0l sohc timing chain issue. Currently my timing chains are still in one piece. The plastic tensioners break, leading to chain slack, and eventually, breakage. There has been nothing done to correct it as of yet, the only way to repair them is to buy $500-$600 worth of parts and tools, remove the engine from the car and repair and replace the timing chains and guides.
1997 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 202, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 1997 ford explorer died while I was driving. I had the vehicle towed to a ford dealership and was informed that the cam shaft chain was broken or let go. I was advised by ford they knew about this problem, but didn't notify everyone who owned them because they didn't have enough parts to repair or replace and they only told the ford dealerships about this problem and not the public. And they also purged all the "old records" as they call them and cannot tell if they notified the ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle. I was told by hackettstown ford when I purchased my vehicle that it was one of the sales managers wifes car and it is in mint condition and well maintained. When I found out about the problem with my vehicle., I was told by ford that there are over 5 million ford exploreres and mercury SUV still on the road. There is no way a consumer can tell if this is going to happen youor vehicle just dies, and I cannot imagine how many people have been in accidents or even killed because of this problem or are still driving these vehicles and wont know until it happens. It cost me $14,999 when I purchased this vehicle and it cost me over $6,000. For a new engine. Who is watching out for us? If I was told to have my vehicle checked I would have it only cost about $100.00 to pull they engine down to the cam shaft chain and check for the problem. I had my vehicle looked at by four mechanics who knew right away what the problem was. Please help me and the public with this problem, I am disabled and had to borrow the money for the engine and will have to pay the money back for the next 4 years. I couldn't buy a new vehicle because my vehicle fits me perifect because of having 35 surgeries from a auto accident in 1974.if I see another explorer I stay far away from it. . The funny thing is when you call ford in detroit they ask you how many fords you have purchased in your lifetime and would you ever buy another one.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. While driving 30 MPH, the contact smelled smoke and then noticed smoke rising from the engine compartment. He pulled over approximately two minutes later and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. There was a small explosion on the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. As of november 1, 2007, the dealer and manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. His VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact felt that a leak in the engine compartment caused the fire. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle began to shake. The contact placed the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. He exited the vehicle, raised the hood, and noticed that the engine was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to his residence and has not been to a mechanic. The cause of the fire and the dealer information were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,200.
On a 1997 ford explorer had problems with transfer case. First noticed when driving on interstate with cruise control on vehicle made grinding noise and would not decelerate had to put into neutral to stop. When decelerating while driving vehicle it would also make grinding noise almost sounding like it was not down shifting. Few weeks later when vehicle was put into reverse it would make a grinding noise and would not go into gear. Did not feel safe to drive. Ending up having to have a mechanic rebuild transfer case, cost almost $1000.00. Now five months later having problems with check engine light continuously coming on. Replaced sensors and spark plug on #4 cylinder twice. This will be replacement number 3 for spark plug in four month period. Mechanics cannot seem to figure out why.
Tl*- the contact stated that he had not been able to start up the 1997 ford explorer since 02/09/07. The contact had replaced the starter, the spark plugs, and continues to experience the same failure. They pulled the front end of the motor and noticed something snapped and was sitting in the pan. The contact had been on the internet and had noticed that other explorers were having the same problem. The current and failure mileage were both 98000 miles.
When I stopped using my AC and turned on the heat in my 97 ford explorer all I get is cold air. This happens at all heat settings including defrost. I talked to a ford dealership and the service man there said it is probably the blend door and that it would cost $800-1000 to repair. Nothing has been done yet as I don't have that much spare cash for this repair. The vehicle does have 116,000 miles on it but I have been checking this out on the internet and it seems to be a major safety issue with 95-99 explorers. Is there any recourse from ford on this?
Dt*: the contact stated the engine idled roughly. While sitting at a stop sign the vehicle idled erratically. While traveling around curves or down hills, at any speed, the engine felt as if it was going to stall. However, the engine has never completely stalled. The vehicle has been seen by the service dealer several times, but the problem could never be duplicated. Updated 06/07/2006. *ak
Engine crank broke off at pulley. No previous warning, it happened while driving at low speeds. 110 miles on engine at time of catastrophic failure. Dealership laughed at request for repairs, "warranty expired". I paid for new "rebuilt engine" cost= $3000.00.
1997 ford explorer, 5.0 l engine, automatic transmission. The car's engine unexpectedly races to the point that its brakes will not hold it back. This sometimes happens when backing from a cold start and sometimes when braking for a stop at an intersection. The only way to stop the vehicle is to shift into park and turn off the engine. The effect is like being slammed into by a large vehicle. It almost killed my pregnant daughter and me earlier this month when it happened as I was braking for a traffic light. It felt like we had been hit from the rear, but it was the engine pulling its old trick again. The local ford dealer has been unable to diagnose and repair the problem. One year ago he said that it was the pcv valve and he replaced the valve. The car then behaved for about one year. Then, without warning, with my wife at the wheel, the car, in reverse, raced out of our garage into the street. It was unstopable. Later it did the same thing, while in drive, at intersections. I returned it to the dealer who could find nothing wrong. It then happened to me and my daughter and I returned it to the dealer who tested it for a week without results.
Air blend door failure. I only have hot air.
I bought the explorer last april and the A/C worked fine, but when winter got here the heater would not blow warm air. I took it to a mechanic who replaced the thermostate and looked at other things, but could not fix it. I then took it to a second mechanic who looked at it and told me that he had just fixed the same problem on another 97 ford explorer--and it was the blend door. That the door was a factor defect and would cost about $650.00 to replace it. I did not have the money to have it replaced, and it is a safety hazard when it is stuck on A/C air and you can not defrost your windshild while you are driving. It has not been fixed and restricts vision out of the windshield when fogged or iced which could cause me to have a bad wreck.
Ford explorer 1997, consumer paid for replacement of engine prior to ford recall. *bf the consumer was denied reimbursement under the recall because the replacement engine was not purchased from ford.
Replacement of engine due to defective parts; throttle body plate and cam chain guide on motors. *bf the engine throttle plate stuck while the consumer was warming the vehicle on a cold day. Recall #00v422000. The consumer requested reimbursement for the defective engine. The starter did not kick in per invoice.
First evidence of noise reported to dealer on 7/22/98. They said there was no problem. Noise became unbearable and engine began lossing power. Took it to dealer on1/2/01 and found out the front cam tensioner disintegrated causing severe metalic noises from the engine compartment. Bankston ford supposidly did the well known recall. My paperwork shows they replaced the tensioner cassette and changed the oil. I obtained their own proceedures for this issue because many engines have had to be replace due to the pieces of the broken tensioner clogging oil passages and destroying the engines. The instructions they should have followed included inspecting the heads for clogged passages and other things. I believe they should have replaced the engine then, but they made me take it. As soon as I left dealer, the noise was back. Called them and they said to give it a week and see if it goes away. It got worse and I brought it back in to the dealer. This time they said it was the rear tensioner (the one not coverered by their recall since it requires removing the engine. Same part- same defect, but not covered due to cost). Since ford was losing too much money on their defect replacing engines, they stopped helping their customers. The dealer offered a $500 and 75,000 mile warrantee dealer concession, but I expected it to be taken care of like everyone else. The defective part ruined the engine and it should be replaced, or at least repaired properly. Have been at a stand-still for almost 2 years now with a non-funcioning vehicle. Ford customer service will not do anything and the dealer now wants $5000 for a new engine.
My 1997 ford explorer has an intake manifold failure. I understand by reading many message boards and other complaints on the internet that ford has recalled this item on some vehicles but not all. I really can't believe that ford would actually use a plastic intake on anything. I believe it is a break down in judgement and ford should be responsible for the replacement of this part.
I have had my1997 ford explorer for two years, the same problem keeps recurring. It becomes suligish on the on set, than the check engine light comes on. 12 times now I have had to replace the spark plugs, 3 times I have done fuel enjection cleans, 2 times I have changed the o2 sensor. I have talked to other owners that speak of the same problems.
1997 explorer 4.0 sohc purchased in 1999.made knocking noise went to dealership several times under warranty and was told my motor was pulled and tensioner (pulley, cam tensioner) was replaced.after recieving notification from ford of "in warranty" service bulletin,different dealer said it hadnt been replace or documented by previous service.so,it was supposedley replaced again (2 time).still making the noise after so long, and told several times "we cant find anything wrong" kept driving.now, I am in dealership for about 10th time and my tesnioners,possibly my timing chain,and possible other components (hopefully not motor)need to be replaced again(3time,more damage)??!!this time theres no warranty or reason why I shouldent "have to pay" so it is costing me $1600 so far...possibly more if there was more damage.this must be documented because I have tried in good faith and numerous,tiring efforts to repair this from day one!do not want to have to replace motor in near future like others.
I had purchased a 1997 ford explorer xlt from mk auto in auburn, ca and the car fax I recieved said there had been no recalls and no accidents on the vehicle. The owner from mk auto assured me many times that the fehicle was in good running condition. The day after I baught the vehicle it broke down in me. Mk auto took it back 3 times in hopes they could fix it, but never did. 10 months later the cam chain guid broke in the engine. My husband and I looked on the internet and found there had been 13 recalls on my vehicle I never knew about. This car in very unsafe for my family and I am outraged I was never notified! I have now tried to buy another car, but the ford explorer is worht so little and now I have so much negative equaty its hard.......I finally found a car, but am paying dearly for it because of the explorer which has been sitting in the car lot of a ford dealership for over a month!
Without any warning, lost all power, engine totally shut off at 45 MPH. Had towed and was told crankshaft broke. Ford knows of problems with the crankshaft and has actually replaced some but as more are breaking, refuses to deal with the problem. Had this happened the previous weekend while traveling rt. 95 this could have had serious consequences. Please look into the numerous complaints about the 1997/1998 ford explorer crankshaft problems.
My heater "splitter door" failed to release heat about 4 mo. Ago and is still briken. I haven't had the 700.oo to fix it.
Egr valve failed at cost of over $250. This is part of the emissions system and is covered by an extended warranty. I requested warranty status for this part from ford motor co. Customer relations center in letter of 7/17/03 with 76,172 miles on vehicle. Initial "check engine light" for this failure was at about 66,000 on 8/30/02. Ford did not answer my inquiry, instead referring me to their customer service reps in india, against my wishes.
Consumer is a victim of odometer fraud, encountering problems with the vehicle that's uncharacteristic for the mileage on the vehicle. (nar) *ph exhaust system, ball joint, and instrument panel had to be replaced.
Type "e" motor failure at only 90,000 miles resulting in replacement motor.
The vehicle in question is a 1997 ford explorer with 38643km. The A/C heater unit was blowing out only cool air. Does not help when you get -30c weather and you try to defrost your windshield with cold air. Yes it is out of the 3 year warranty period but certainly not the 60000km. I do not understand how a vehicle with less than 40000km can have such a problem ? Ford's answer is as follows: cause: diagnosed-temp blend door is broke. Correction: replaced interior heater case. Ford refuses to pay any portion because it is out of warranty. Other websites with same problem listed: http://www.mightyautoparts.com/data/otl1200.pdf http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_16717.html http://www.epinions.com/content_66590314116
Rear doors won't open from inside and it is not the child deterrent lever on door, heating system overrides A/C heater sometimes dosen't work. Recline lever broke off.
While driving at 35 MPH consumer heard a noise, then vehicle stalled. The spark plugs blew out. An independent technician indicated that engine cylinder need to be replaced.
While driving serpentine belt came off, and driver lost control of the vehicle. Also, when braking there was a grinding noise.
Engine surging when cold. I have had the codes read and will not tell what the problem is. Poor gas mileage. Valves rattling when start up of engine for several secounds and then stops rattling. Black sutt in exhaust pipe.
Consumer took vehicle into inspection station and didn't pass inspection because of the timing belt was making noise. Dealer stated it would cost about $1500.
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