On 12/18/00-I had my car towed to romeo ford,because my motor died sitting at a red light waiting to turn ,romeo ford informed me that something in the upper half of the motor let go and that ford motor company did not recomend the motor be repaired-that a factory rebuild is recomended-my cost would be 1,600.00-and that ford would pick up the rest-I thought great a new motor for 1,600.00 dollars-I said fix it-I got the car back 01/18/01-runs great-on 01/24/01 I get in the mail a safty recall packet from ford motor company-in this packet is a warranty extension on the camshaft chain tensioner-(thats what let go to kill my motor) I thought great my new motor is covered under warranty-I get my $1,600.00 back! -nope- romeo ford -ford motor company-will not honor the warranty extension-can you help me?
1997 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 202, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. Left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. Power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. Vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. The right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. Brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. A tap noise was heard while playing cd's. Vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. 4 wheel drive was inoperable and made a rubbing/groan noise, when reversing and putting intor drive, consumer heard popping noise, dealer replaced rear transfer case flange and removed driveshaft. Vehicle would not start, it would turn over, dealer found the PCM was not wiring, dealer replaced PCM.
While driving at 50 MPH heard a loud noise, and then saw smoke coming out of engine. Vehicle was totalled.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Engine check light came on and stayed on when weather got cold. The ford service said the the air intake valve gaskets shrank and was letting in too much air and carbon monoxide into to the gas tank. I've never seen or heard of this happening with truck under 100,000 miles.
Onboard diagnostics indicated oxygen sensor error--common problem.
Ignition wires and plugs need replaced, consumer feels dealer should make these repairs.
I was driving down the road and when going down a hill the veh. Stared to make a grinding noise. I had to get up out of the hole to pull off and I noted that when I steped back on the gas it stoped. It only does this when coasting or braking. I took it to the shop and they said it was a failure in the transfer case. I started looking for a new one on the net and found alot of other people describing the same problem to a t. One guy stated that his mechanic said that the gem control module had failed or partially failed and commanded the tranfer case to disengage causing damage to the case. It appeared to be a ford electronic defect not having a fail safe mode but instead ordering the tranfer case to self destruct. The oxygen senors I replace them and they go right back out.
While driving the tensioner failed causing the engine to stall without warning or indication of trouble, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
While driving about 25 MPH and all of a sudden vehicle just died. This happened without any warning. Vehicle would not restart. This was due to a broken time chain tensioner. Entire engine was being replaced. Ford refused to help consumer with this matter. *ak manufacturer changed the design due to timing chain tensioner problem with this make of vehicles.
Engine crankshaft broke. While sitting in vehicle heard a funny noise. Then, vehicle died, and would not start again. Consumer felt this was a manufacturing defect because of the way the crankshaft fell off.
When driving consumer noticed a rattling noise coming from engine comparment. Vehicle cut off without prior warning. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer noted that engine had a hole which was caused by the timing belt that came off. Engine needed to be replaced.
I heard a noise while leaving parking lot. Immediately there was a rattling sound in the motor, then the truck stalled.. The vehicle was towed into the dealership. Their diagnosis is the engine needs to be replaced because of a timing chain failure that jumped loose and knocked a hole in the left valve cover. There was no prior warning or occurence before this happened.
My 1997 explorer will temporarly stalls without warning since new, usually when pulling out into a stream of traffic.this causes a severe safety problem for the occupants of the car. I have taked the vehicle to tallahassee, ford, tallahassee, florida several times (remaining overnight there for over 10 days) and the only effort to fix this problem was to install a set of spark puugs. The service manager advised me not to bring the car back since the problem is intermittent and can't be fixed. I feel no one has taken my complaints seriously and no real effort has been made to fix this problem. The vehicle continues to have the problem, noticibly worse in hot weather and I have no more support from ford motor comapny despite writing and calling ford's consumer complaint division. The car remains to be hazardous to drive and I hope you can help me with this problem. I am really suprised at ford motor company for placing a long time customer in a dangerous vehicle with no support in making necessary repairs.
Timing chain accesories are made of a poor material causing it to break . Whats worry all the costumer is that the people the have does not know how to deal with this situation in time(warraty time) making this problem prolong so much that the costumers have to deal with the problem and it cost having the situation during the warranty time.
4.0liter sohc has defect in the design of timming chain idler . This caused engine to stall and severe valve damage . Ford is recomending complete engine replacement ( $4,800 ) with 2000 model. Ford is obviously aware of the defect but I was never notified.
I purchased this vehicle in november of 1998. At the time it had 10,000 miles on it. I noticed the vehicle had what seemed to be a shutter or vibration. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and the service manager drove with me for many miles. He stated that this was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. Everything is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to a certified transmission repair/replacement shop and have found that this problem is actually an emissions problem, and that the computer needs to be flashed to change the strategy of the torque converter. I would like this issue addressed as it causes my vehicle to vibrate and at highway speeds the vehicle feels very unsafe.
Engine making ticking noise where time chain is. After disassembly by mechanic found tensioner with timing chain was defective. New tensioner and timing chain installed( dot number: )
When depressing brake pedal vehicle would stall without any indication. Please provide further information.
I have a big question conserning the 4.0 sohc "plastic" cam tensioner. I have had my explorer in a local shop for 4 weeks "diagnosing" me check engine light problem. Today I find out that I have a totally wrecked 48,000 mile engine due to the fact that ford installs plastic cam tensioners from the factory only to replace them later with steel units. I also found out today that I am going to have to purchase a new engine for the low, bargain basement price of $5400. My god that makes me happy. There are 4 explorers in my local dealership with the same problem. I am beginning to see a trend here! Could somebody please tell me what's up with these engines. I was also told that the new engine, which is a 2000 model, "has been redesigned".
Engine stopped. Never started again. Plastic "cassette guide" failure in engine?? Said dealer. Timing / valves all went.
Stopped for a red light and all of a sudden engine shutoff and all of the lights on the dashboard came on. Looked under the hood belt, came off, and noticed the pulley was laying against the radiator. Towed the car to the dealer. *ak dealer notice crankshaft broke outside of the engine.
Timing chain needs replacement? $1,700 and truck isn't even 3 years old.
Started vehicle in mornings, and it ran rough. Also, motor stalled. Contacted dealer. Dealer indicated that intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. Was told by dealer that they were on national backorder.
Dealer said overheat was due to faulty thermostat (2nd time). Suggested flushing the system every 30,000 miles to clean the system. When it overheated the first time there was and still is less then 30,000 miles on the vechile. The warranty runs out on may 24, 2000. Today is may 9, 2000. I would like the problem resloved and guatanteed for a while.
Car stalls at speed.. Premature failure of intake gaskets..ford may have redesigned but no recall.. Caused loss of control 17 year old driver.
While traveling 0-25 MPH after stopping vehicle shutdown without any indications. Also, engine check light flashed. Dlr has been notified. Please provide further information.
Mechanic stated metal used in making crankcase too soft. This problem shouldnt occur with the mileage and year of this vehicle.
Engine "ticks" primarily at cold startup. Problem becoming more prevelant however, now it occurs also at a warm startup. Engine also "hisses" at low speeds to idle. Rear end leaks fluid and also shudders at high speeds. "clunking" noise often heard and felt from rear end when vehicle stops.
1-21-00 took car into magic ford in santa clarita, ca. For warranty work, replace catalytic converter. I was informed by tim heming that the timing chain tensioners were bad. About $1500.00 to fix. I asked if it was a warranty item. He said no, but I can call the ford customer assistance guide to see if I can get finacial help. I did and they said no. 1-27-00 I had my own service tech. Pick up car and start the repairs. 2-1-00 my service tech., ken wagner lic.#0706-121676 informed me that the timing chain tensioners were broken and sucked up in the engine and desstroyed the engine. He also informed me that the timing chain tensioners have been upgraded from some kind of plastic material to metal. He also informed me that the dealer he ordered the parts from has ordered 104 of them. The dealer is antelope valley ford lancaster, ca. The cost to buy and install the new engine was $4000.00 I had to pay to ken wagner. I think that do to the fact that the parts have been upgraded and so many are being ordered that ford is aware of this problem and I should be reimbursed for my out of pocket expense.
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