Hey guys, just looking for a little advice if anyone might know the issue....

Little background, 02 Explorer v6, 117k. Tranny needs fixing but I have another issue. Also battery is weak so thatll need replacing. I just don't want to drop the money on a tranny if it's not worth it....

If I start it when the car is cold, the engine will gurgle and struggle to stay running. During this I get a bunch of very loud bangs and knocks from the engine. Like serious banging and clunking and she stalls. Then I will restart and sometimes it will do it again but most of the time on the second try it will turn over and let it warm up and it runs perfectly. Engine strong, no banging issues whatsoever and revs good.

Anyone know what this could be?! It's odd that it's fine afterwards but that banging makes u cringe when u hear it. Just gotta see if it's worth keeping as a DD since I live in NY with snow and don't want to drive the mustang in the winter.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

No car guys here I guess

 

No check engine light when this is happening? I can't do much without being there, if I was there I could hook my IDS up too it and monitor the PIDS to see what was acting up.

 

Nope, no check engine light

 

Just a thought... When you go to start it. Cycle the key to on. Wait ten seconds. Turn it off. The back on for 10 seconds and then start it. See if that does anything.

 

Ok will do tonight when I get in it, thanks for the help

 

still does it. I also noticed if u start it and it starts fine on first try but u rev it, it bangs too until its been running about a minute or so

 

Odd... Well without an ids I can't do much...

 

Most likely worn or broken timing chain tensioners. Google should give you some nice pics.

Quite common on the 4.0 SOHC ..... and the passenger/right-side tensioner is on the back side of the engine so the engine needs to be pulled to replace them.

We just did one of these jobs and when we took the engine apart we found pieces of the tensioner guides stuck in the oil pick-up screen and all throughout the engine.

We ended up having to replace the engine.

Cash, it's about a $6500 job (here)

If the truck needs a transmission too, you're talking throwing almost/about $10k into it.

I wouldn't.



.

 

Check for clogged cats. Clogged cats can do exactly what you're describing but once heated up, allow enough airflow for the vehicle to run just fine. And you will often not have a check engine light with this.

Otherwise, I'd have to assume there's a timing issue. Chains, tensioners, something.

 

It had a Timing chain problem under warranty a while back. They said it was loose and "managed" to get it fixed under warranty. Ford had made a kit to fix it so it's known. But the car runs perfect once it's started, no issues. If it was the timing chain wouldn't something not be right?