Five problems related to engine rattling and whining sounds have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I ha d a warranty through Ford motor CO. They will not honor it nor will the dealership I complained about this loud metallic rattling noise they (the dealerships service writers) said that the problem was fixed back in October it was not nearly a half a year later there was enough engine damage that it needed to be replaced my extended warranty states "if the front cam chain guide is not functioning properly it will be replaced by Ford free of charge any other engine damage clearly resulting from a worn or broken front cam chain guide is also covered by this extended coverage" again this extended coverage is not being honored by Ford or the servicing dealership.
Timing chain was making a rattle noise and we had it checked out and they said that they had a safety recall .
There is a constant rattling noise when driving. Dealer determined it was the timing chain. Please provide additional information.
I heard a noise while leaving parking lot. Immediately there was a rattling sound in the motor, then the truck stalled. . The vehicle was towed into the dealership. Their diagnosis is the engine needs to be replaced because of a timing chain failure that jumped loose and knocked a hole in the left valve cover. There was no prior warning or occurence before this happened.
Cam chain tensionners replaced at 19004 miles Dec. 1998 but still making rattling noise when starting.