4.0l Timing Chain Rattle

[Andrew Kraker]

I am just trying to figure out what the timing chain rattle sounds like on the 4.0l. I have been trying to listen to the engine in second gear while accellerating and I think I hear a very faint white noise type sound. It is not clanking or anything, it sounds more like a baby rattle or white noise from a TV.

I have to have the blower an the radio off to hear anything. Am I just being paranoyed?

 

[rod denton]

i got same noise tried to locate no luck yet does not seem to any thing important other than annoying :angry:

 

[O W]

This may not be your problem but worth mentioning. I have a 2002 2wd. I remember when it was new I immediately noticed a whine when accelerating. I called it a quite jet engine sound. Upon researching it I found it was a common problem with my model and Ford had a fix for it. They said the whine was not a mechanical problem just a nuisance. It didn't take long till I adopted to the sound and stopped noticing it. In other words I would rather have the slight noise than have them get in there and actually mess something up. Its now 112,000 miles later still no problems.

 

[Ed Fenwick]

Aloha Andrew,

The light rattle that you hear is probably ping. I have noticed it on mine going up hill sometimes. The timing chain rattle is like a clatter only on start up. It should last only for a second before the oil pressure is up enough to run the tentioner. As I understand, the guide is banging around in there not the chain. The dealer says that they have never herd of one letting go.

Ed

 

[Todd Z]

Chain is only at idle...... and mainly in park, or gear sitting still..



Todd Z

 

[Max Trax]

Well all I can say is that you'll know when your timing chain guide breaks, it's a different truck altogether. Of course the dealer will never admit that these cars were built with defective timing chain components, that would be honest. Good luck.