1997 FORD EXPLORER Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline Problems

FIRST EVIDENCE OF NOISE REPORTED TO DEALER ON 7/22/98. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE AND ENGINE BEGAN LOSSING POWER. TOOK IT TO DEALER ON1/2/01 AND FOUND OUT THE FRONT CAM TENSIONER DISINTEGRATED CAUSING SEVERE METALIC NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BANKSTON FORD SUPPOSIDLY DID THE WELL KNOWN RECALL. MY PAPERWORK SHOWS THEY REPLACED THE TENSIONER CASSETTE AND CHANGED THE OIL. I OBTAINED THEIR OWN PROCEEDURES FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE MANY ENGINES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE DUE TO THE PIECES OF THE BROKEN TENSIONER CLOGGING OIL PASSAGES AND DESTROYING THE ENGINES. THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED INCLUDED INSPECTING THE HEADS FOR CLOGGED PASSAGES AND OTHER THINGS. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE THEN, BUT THEY MADE ME TAKE IT. AS SOON AS I LEFT DEALER, THE NOISE WAS BACK. CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID TO GIVE IT A WEEK AND SEE IF IT...

I HAD PURCHASED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT FROM MK AUTO IN AUBURN, CA AND THE CAR FAX I RECIEVED SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS AND NO ACCIDENTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER FROM MK AUTO ASSURED ME MANY TIMES THAT THE FEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION. THE DAY AFTER I BAUGHT THE VEHICLE IT BROKE DOWN IN ME. MK AUTO TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES IN HOPES THEY COULD FIX IT, BUT NEVER DID. 10 MONTHS LATER THE CAM CHAIN GUID BROKE IN THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND AND I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE HAD BEEN 13 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE I NEVER KNEW ABOUT. THIS CAR IN VERY UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I AM OUTRAGED I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED! I HAVE NOW TRIED TO BUY ANOTHER CAR, BUT THE FORD EXPLORER IS WORHT SO LITTLE AND NOW I HAVE SO MUCH NEGATIVE EQUATY...

ENGINE IS A 1997 4.0L SOHC. THERE IS A VERY NOTICIBLE MISS IN THE TIMING AT IDLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING STILL, IT BUCKS AND SHUDDERS THE WHOLE TRUCK, BUT THE IDLE SPEED NEVER VARIES MORE THAN 100 RPM. HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH 1991 EXPLORER 4.0L. DEALER RAN ON THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS COMMON WITH THESE ENGINES. DT

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING WHEN I WAS PROCEEDING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I COULD SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN SOMEWHAT BY AGGRESSIVELY APPLYING THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THIS WOULD JUST GET ME SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE UNTIL I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SPEED UP AGAIN. I WAS TRAVELING ON A FAIRLY BUSY STRETCH OF INTERSTATE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I LUCKILY DID NOT HAVE A NEED TO STOP QUICKLY WHILE THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. I TRIED HITTING THE ACCELERATOR A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO STOP STICKING IN THE "WIDE OPEN" POSITION. I EVEN TRIED MANIPULATING THE CRUISE CONTROL (WHICH WAS OFF). AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, I STARTED TRYING TO THINK OF A QUICK GAME PLAN TO GET OUT OF THIS POTENTIAL DISASTER. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME AND THAT I DID NOT HAVE...

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING REVVING AND STALLING. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE CORRECTED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE FIXED TEMPORARILY TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN IN CONSULTATION WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINEERS. CONSUMER HAS CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SEVERAL UNEXPECTED SURGES IN THE ENGINE REVS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. *SCC

THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. *MJ

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS 3RD ENGINE. *JB

I HA D A WARRANTY THROUGH FORD MOTOR CO. THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT NOR WILL THE DEALERSHIP I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS LOUD METALLIC RATTLING NOISE THEY (THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE WRITERS) SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BACK IN OCTOBER IT WAS NOT NEARLY A HALF A YEAR LATER THERE WAS ENOUGH ENGINE DAMAGE THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY STATES "IF THE FRONT CAM CHAIN GUIDE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IT WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD FREE OF CHARGE ANY OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE CLEARLY RESULTING FROM A WORN OR BROKEN FRONT CAM CHAIN GUIDE IS ALSO COVERED BY THIS EXTENDED COVERAGE" AGAIN THIS EXTENDED COVERAGE IS NOT BEING HONORED BY FORD OR THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS 3RD ENGINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, AND VEHICLE WOULD DIE. WHEN CAR WAS IN PARK IT DID NOT CUT OFF. BUT, SOON AS CONSUMER PRESSED GAS PEDAL IT SHUT OFF. *AK *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *SLC

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, AS DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 00M12, 01M01, 12150, 6926. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR. THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CLAIM IT IS. WHEN MINE FAILED, I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER FOLLOWING BEHIND ME DUE TO INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO ISSUE A GENERAL RECALL ON ALL SUCH ENGINES WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, 2 DAYS AFTER THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NLM

AFTER CUTTING CAR OFF AND PARKING FOR A WHILE, CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. *AK *JB

FAULTY SERPENTINE BELT CAUSES SQUEALING NOISE AT TIMES, THERE IS ALSO AN OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL DUE TO OVERHEATING. CAUSE UNKNOWN, DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY VEHICLE OVERHEATED. COMPLETE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE ENGINES. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED ENGINE. LATER ON, PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

I AM SENDING THIS INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BUT MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN PERSONALLY INFORMED FOR THE RECALLS TO THE FORD XLT EXPLORER EXCEPT THE ONE FOR THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND THE ONE FOR THE MOTOR OIL PUMP. MY WIFE AND MYSELF CONTACTED BAYAMON FORD DEALER FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER RECALLS THAT APPEARED IN THE NEWS AND NO RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER. COULD YOU UPDATE ME IN THIS ISSUE? SHOULD I CONTACT THE FORD COMPANY? *AK

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?*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER HEARS A TAPPING IN THE ENGINE WHEN FOOT IS ON THE GAS. *SLC

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...

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: )

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: )

ENGINE STOPPED. NEVER STARTED AGAIN. PLASTIC "CASSETTE GUIDE" FAILURE IN ENGINE?? SAID DEALER. TIMING / VALVES ALL WENT.

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".

WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

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. *AK

CAR STALLS AT SPEED.. PREMATURE FAILURE OF INTAKE GASKETS..FORD MAY HAVE REDESIGNED BUT NO RECALL.. CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL 17 YEAR OLD DRIVER. *AK

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. *AK

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.

UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE INTAKE GASKETS ARE LEAKING, CAUSING AIR TO ENTER INTO THE CYLINDER, RESULTING IN ENGINE IDLING ERRATICALLY AND EVENTUALLY NO START. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED ENGINE SMOKING. DEALER NOTICED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE THE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

CHAIN TENSIONERS HAVE DETERIORATED AND BROKEN UP. ENGINE NOW RATTELS AND GRINDS. I HAVE FEAR OF MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. AFTER TALKING TO FORD DEALERS IN RENO NV AND ONE IN SUSANVILLE CA I HAVE BEEN TOLD EVERY THING FROM "YOUR ON YOUR OWN " TO " FORD IS WORKING ON A PERMANANT FIX SO BE PATIENT. IS FORD GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM . I UNDERSTAND THIS TO BE A MAJOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

FORD ACKNOWLDGES PROBLEMS IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETINS RELATING TO THIS PARTICULAR PART. THE SERVICE ALERTS WARN OF CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. THIS "DEFECT" COST ME $2178.68. FORD REFUSES TO COVER ANY OF THESE COSTS. *AK

ENGINE MISSES AND STALLS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FROM A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR AFTER REPLACING IGNITION WIRES AND VACCUUM ASSEMBLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACT AS IF THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED CAUSING A STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS.

I KNOW THAT FORD IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS REFLECT THAT. THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE FAILURE DURING WARRANTY ARE FORTUNET TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I STILL AS OF YET NOT CLAIMED MY VEHICLE .

ENGINE IS NOISY.

ENGINE IS NOISY.

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL AND HESITATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE SEAL LEAK. *YC

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MAKING A QUICK LEFT TURN THE TRUCK LOSES POWER. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER CLEANED SPEED SENSOR AND REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DIRVING 25-35 MPH. VEHICLE HAD NO POWER/ BRAKES. VEHICLE COASTED TO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER CAR. *AK

ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE VIBRATING IN FRONT, VIBRATION WOULD COMMENCE WHENEVER TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHENEVER TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS,CONDITION STILL UNRESOLVED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED, HAD DEALER CHECK VEHICLE AND FOUND THE CV SOLENOID, FTP SENSOR AND THE O2 MONITOR WERE BAD. *JG

WAS DRIVING AND CAR STOPPED WITH A CLICKING SOUND. NO PRIOR WARNING WITH ENGINE LIGHTS, ETC. DEALER CLAIMS FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND FORD ALSO DENIED CLAIM TO REPLACE SAID ENGINE. *AK

NO SUMMARY MENTIONED FOR THIS VEHICLE. AK

HAVE HAD A INTERMITTENT VALVE TAP SINCE A RECALL WAS DONE ,IT'S GETTING PROGRESSLY WORSE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TAPPETS ONCE AND THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THINKING IT WAS THAT .NOW I SEE TWO TSBS' NHTSA #SB051948 AND #SB051128 AND WAS WONDERING IF THEY MIGHT APPLY AND CAN I DO ANYTHING TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED ? THANKYOU FOR ANY HELP ,SHANNON

REPEATED FAILED ATTEMPS TO CORRECT PING/TICK WHEN ENGINE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES F