97 SHOC Engine HELP?

"Those problems even exist on Explorers up to 2002. The SOHC truly is a bunged design."

The above from a previous post is not helping me to feel better about resolving my problem. I took my 97 Explorer with the 4.0L SOHC (4x4) in for 100K mile service and the engine light was on. They said it was the cam tensioner that needed replacement. When they unbolted the tensioner from the back side of the engine, the threads came out with the bolt. They said their was no real way to repair it. A larger size bolt could not be tapped and threaded into the engine, I was told after two attempts to fix it. They used some kind of liquid weld on it and I've had a serious oil leak since. This causes the oxygen sensor to foul and I was going to spring for a replacement engine this summer. One site says they recommend a used engine for this model because they do not rebuild certain engines that are built too thin for machining and this is one of them. I found one with 32K miles for $995 but I'm wondering if there are other recommendations considering the problems with the SOHC engines. Can I put a more recent engine into it? The rest of my Eddie Bauer is in great shape. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Sounds like your problem has more to do with your chosen shop than the motor. Could a cam timing issue set the MIL? It's a long stretch and you would notice some serious running issues first. As far as repairing the threads... I've been using helicoils for 'bout a million years now... freely available at automotive stores, cheap, effective - might add some to the labour but not something that will break the bank. In my experience, teething problems aside, the 4.0 SOHC has been quite a success for FMC.

From where I sit, the system in the US is broken (this will raise some "free enterprise" ire) and sadly in need of repair. There is no requirement for knowledge or skill...... a hammer and a half inch wrench makes you a mechanic... Add that everyone is bargain shopping and p*ssed because Chevette pricing means Chevette service.... "No way I'm going to a high priced mechanic because the cheap guy bent me over the service counter...."

Add that the labour laws in the staes seem to be nearly non-existant...... we have some pretty firm minimum standards here and, thankfully, my employer goes above and beyond the call of duty.

If your problem is as you describe (still wondering how a bolt inside the cassette could do this), find someone that understands the word "helicoil" and he/she can help. Sounds like you've been victimized by someone either unknowing, uncaring or both.

HTH