Hello, I was hoping someone coule guide me in the correct direction regarding timing belts. I know nothing, let me repeat, nothing about cars so please bare with me. OK, here goes: 1) I have a 2001 2-door Ford Explorer Sport (4x4). Does this vehicle have a timing belt or a timing chain? 2) In order to replace it, does one need to take the engine out (this is what my Ford dealer is telling me)? 3) Do I need to replace it? I was told I do not just because I have about 100k of miles on it, but because my engine makes a ticking sound. Here's an exercise for you. Really, really, really fast say "tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick." That's what my engine sounds like. It's very quite but very anoying. 4) I always take my truck into the dealer for LOF's and maintenance required, like every 3,000 miles whether it needs it or not. 5) The other thing that's anoying, which also makes me think it's the timing belt(chain) is that when I'm driving down the road at about 55mph ('cause you know, it's not good to speed), and I come up to a very slight incline, my truck drops in speed about 10mph and I have to slam the gas pedal down. 6) Finally, I've changed to synthetic oil, changed my plugs and their wires, (well, not me but a mechanic), and my truck still sounds like and runs like pooh! Anyway, thanks to anyone that can help me here. I don't want to be taken to the cleaners by some dealer that says my engine needs to be removed or I need work to my truck and it doesn't.
- posted
19 years ago