How do I know when the timing chain on my '91 Explorer needs replacing?

Question

I hear a rattling noise underneath the front of the engine when the car idles. It has 142,000 miles, well maintained.

Answer 1

It could be a water pump. I thought that vehicle had a belt instead of a chain If it does and it is the water pump I would replace than both at the same time. It would save money over doing them separately especially with that many miles

Answer 2

The ratling noise may or may not be your timing chain. But it's a good idea to replace the timing chain at the mileage Ford has specified. You can easily find this out by calling a Ford dealer. Depending on the design of the particular engine, a broken timing chain may result in a valve hitting the cylinder head. That can be very expensive to repair.

Answer 3

Chances are it does not. Ford uses a bicycle style chain and gear set doubled up. They will last for hundreds of thousands of miles. The rattle may be from an exhaust mount bracket. Hard to tell. You may have to track it down. But almost definitely not the timing set.

Answer 4

I too have a ford explorer and the rattling under neath mine is the flywheel. If your vehicle is a automatic then it may be and exhaust issue or front radius arm bushings. This vehicle has an unusual front suspension which is called a twin i-beam suspension

Answer 5

It will definely be hard to start, and when it does run ,you will not
have any power.Also it may start to backfire thru the Carbretor, telling you that you have an ignition problem, because when your
engine wears, your timing chain stretches, it causes the timing
to be thrown off. Backfireing can also be a good indication of a burned intake valve.

Answer 6

I'd have it checked out, but I don't think it's the timing chain. If that breaks the car doesn't "rattle", it doesn't RUN.

Answer 7

when it streches and gets loose