2000 4.0 engine knock
 

Hi,
A guy I work with just bought a 2000 2dr with a 4.0 we test drove it and it sounded great. He has had it a week, and put some miles on this weekend. The engine started making a tapping noise in the front, he said it almost sounded like a diesel. He called the dealer and they changed the idler pulley and alternator. This did not fix the issue, and it is still making the nise. i listened to it today and it made a tapping noise in the front lower part of the engine. It was not very loud, but he said the noise level went up and down. I am not sure what it is and the dealer says it is just fine. Does anyone have any ideas what it might be?
Thanks,
Dennis

RE: 2000 4.0 engine knock
 

Sounds like rod or main bearings?

RE: 2000 4.0 engine knock
 

A few months back, Aussie Explorer 98 posted a thread about the same thing. dbkrj replied that he replaced the front timing chain thesioner which corrected his explorer sounding like a "model T". He said he only replaced the front tensioner. I believe there are two since the SOHC 4.0 has two cam shafts. I was under the impression that the motor had to be pulled to replace the tensioners, (that is what Haynes said) but dbkrj said he bought the part from ford for $50.

I e-mailed dbkrj to see if I could get some detsil on how to replace the tensioner but did not receive a response. My explorer sounds like a deisel only sometimes when I start it but after slowly reving it up to about 1500 rpm it goes away.

Let me know if you have any luck.
LB

RE: 2000 4.0 engine knock
 

Why does yours sound like a diesel until it hits 1500rpm?His does that also

RE: 2000 4.0 engine knock
 

Yes It Does!!!
I have reseached this problem a lot on the net. Turns out there is a recall on the timing chain tensioner. It is recall or campaign 00M12. There are many opinions out there but many say you can replace the tenioner and possibly the guides if broken for under $100 if you do it your self. Some say take it to a dealer to get fixed. I know a the general consensus is that if you end up messing with the cams and they shift on you, the valves and pistons will clash because it is an interference engine.

I am trying get info on the parts and I am going to try this for myself. Wish me luck!! Let me know if you find any new info on this.
LB
check out this link. Someone took pics of this!!
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...=161701&page=1