'02 V6 questions ...

RichV · Aug 24, 2013

It's an Exploder, so I'll just dump this thread in the garage.

Wife's cousin has a 02 Exploder, 4x4, 4.0 V6. Is this the same as any year Mustang V6? Just curious.

Anyway, she was on her way to work and the engine started making clicky noises. She pulled into a car part store and noticed her dash gauge for oil pressure was in the red, reading nothing. She asked the part store guys, they checked the oil ... wait for it ... it was 5 quarts low and the oil cap looked like it worked its way off and was laying on the engine. So they added the oil, it starts and registers oil pressure for a little bit, then goes back to zero and engine starts to tick, then according to her it sounded like a "ball-peen hammer hitting metal" as she drove it home real slow. She was only a few miles from her house. I was out of town and talked to her on the phone, figured a thrown rod for sure. Anyway, she borrowed her brother's car and the Explorer sat in the garage. I stopped by yesterday to look at it, she fires it up, oil pressure idiot gauge registers, and it sounds completely normal. No ticking, no knock, sounds normal!! I check the dipstick, no apparent flakes, metal, nothing, except the oil has like 3 miles on it and it looked like it came out of my diesel truck.

So I go for a drive, get about 1/2 mile out and oil pressure gauge registers zero, engine is making a ticking noise, so I turn around and went back.

So what could be the issue? Oil pump? Plugged oil filter? Not sure it's worth just doing the pump since the car has 230,000 miles.

KillNThrill24 · Aug 24, 2013

Ours is at 190k, it's an 05, and makes similar noises... it is most definitely appropriately named the Exploder. The amount of bizarre problems this thing has had. I would keep an eye on everything oil related and see if you can narrow it down. Your a smart guy. But with 5 quarts low on oil it may have some serious internal damage

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RichV · Aug 24, 2013

So I've been researching this all morning, and here's my prognosis. The oil being low is just besides the point, that's just plain owner neglect.

But, this is a OHC 4.0, the Mustang got it in 05, so not our generation. Early on they had some TSB/recall on these for their timing tensioners. The dealers would replace them under warranty, but Her's is long past that. So the symptom is that after about 150,000 miles they will develop a tick under a cold start condition from about 2-3K RPM accelerating. The tick may go away as the engine warms up and the oil gets thinner. This is the sign that the tensioners are about done. Eventually the plastic gets brittle and falls apart. The plastic pieces end up in the oil pan, some big, some small. These can then clog the oil pump pickup, which when you start it oil pressure would be OK. But when you raise the RPM while driving the pump is moving more oil and the debris would stick to the screen. So depending on how much crud is in there, it may be blocking a bunch of flow.

So I think it's worth a shot to see about cleaning the debris, flushing the motor, and just sell it. Replacement of the timing gear would require engine removal, and at that point you may as well put a low mileage or reman'd motor in it. And those OHCs are not cheap. According to what I read, even with the timing plastic broken, it may run for another 50K or not. Who knows, I know I don't want to replace that thing.

Rather work on my Mustangs.

KillNThrill24 · Aug 24, 2013

Sounds like some shitty luck Rich. Good thing to look out for I'll have to keep that in mind as ours climbs. These exoloders are a total pita to do any major work on. And they have sooo many issues. I totally agree selling it and cutting your losses may be the best thing you can do

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RichV · Aug 24, 2013

Yea. Yours may be ok, problems seem to be only up to the 02 models. But if anyone is looking at buying one, something to note.

Goldmember · Aug 26, 2013

Sounds like exactly what happened on the 2000-03 4.6 motors, crappy guide material breaks off and does exactly what you describe happening. I for one wouldn't buy any Exploder made after '01. Those were damn good trucks.

sidenote- that 4.0 always had timing chain guide issues- even in the old style Exploder.

How many rear ends has it been through? lol they like to go bad

RichV · Aug 26, 2013

She has not had any other issues. It's a kid hauler, so it racks up miles more than getting any abuse. Its been a great truck for her, she's had it for over 6 years.