1999 Ford Explorer Whats wrong?

FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. FORD

MEMBER
1999 FORD EXPLORER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
194,000 MILES

Since it has gotten extremely cold here in atlanta, my explorer has been making a noise that sounds like a rattle when I crank it up and it continues while I drive. It's loud some times depending on how cold it is outside. But after it warms up, the noise die down some but is still present. I've had three different mechanics listen to it and gotten three different answers. One mechanic said it was the timing chain just by listening to it. Another mechanic said it was the whole timing kit after only hearing it for a minute and after me telling him what the other mechanic said. And another mechanic said it could by my catalytic converter and that I need a new one. The performance has not changed, and it drives fine. It just makes that noise. What could it be? And it also makes a clicking noise that occurs atleast every five to ten minutes sometimes. The clicking noise usually happens while it's idling.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

It could be bad, but the chances of cold weather causing it is slim. If you have no loss of performance, then I would try a couple things. First, take a rubber mallot and tap on the exhaust system. There could be a loose heat shield or the inside of the catylatic converter may have come loose and is ratteling. If that does nothing, remove the serp belt and start the engine to see if the sound is gone. (NOTE: WITH THE SERP BELT OFF, THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT, SO ONLY RUN IT A FEW SECONDS). If the sound is gone then, one of the belt driven accessories is reacting to the temps.

Let me know what you find, but the timing chain is toward the end of the list. When they get loose and make noise, it usually is a slow process. It doesn't happen all at once and isn't affected by temp.

Joe