I have an '08 Ford Explorer with the 4.0 soc v6 engine nearing 190k miles, it now shakes like an off balance washing machine when it's idling. A Mechanic friend told me that it's the timing chain guides wearing out (even worse when the A/C is on). I've been advised by a friend that knows a lot about cars that I should just replace the entire engine, my mechanic friend that just replaced the timing belt and replaced everything around it but the head gasket on my '97 Toyota Corolla, told me that replacing the timing kit on the explorer would be basically the same process, only more complicated. Assuming that I can raise the mind numbing cost, should I pay for the the installation of a new timing kit? Or save even more and for the replacement of the entire engine?
My explorer has never missed an oil change in the 7 years that I have owned it and never driven hot longer than less than a minute when the thermostat went out and started dumping coolant.
There are a lot of things that can make an engine run rough. Are all cylinders firing? Do you hear the chain rattling?
well I recently had all of the spark-plugs replaced, and he scanned it immediately afterwards, no misfires. but the check engine light does flash when it's shaking, and he listened to for the chain but I didn't.
Try getting a snapshot of live data when it's doing that.
won't be able to get it to the dealership for a proper diagnostic til next week, but I did go to my usual shop and they scanned it:
PO 300 random cylinder misfire
PO 302 cylinder #2 misfire
PO 303 cylinder #3 misfire
PO 305 cylinder #5 misfire
PO 306 cylinder #6 misfire
evap code
system too lean code
purge valve code
Maybe a vacuum leak, weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or clogged fuel injectors given the "system too lean" code and multiple misfires. I would not condemn the engine just yet until more troubleshooting is done.
Took it to the Ford dealership, they diagnosed it. the plug wires were on the coil pack in the wrong order.
Thanks for letting us know! This is a great example of checking the simple things first!
The big question that you need to answer is how good are the other parts of the engine. Do a wet/dry compression check to see if you need pistons/rings/valve work too - which would mean you would probably be better off replacing the engine.
The timing chain kit only costs about $100, but the labor is a killer. Why get a new engine when you don't have to? If it's been taken care of like you said, it should be good for at least another 100K miles. Why are you going to a dealer at all?
Because I'm not a mechanic, the shop I went to just threw their hands up and told me to go to the dealership.