Engine problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. While leaving his home, the contact noticed that the hood of the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and a police report was filed. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the failure. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

It started with a minor rattle in the engine towards the front of the engine. The rattle got louder and louder and louder until it was decided not to move the vehicle any longer. Took vehicle to a certified mechanic, turns out, the timing chain assembly broke throwing pieces all over the place causing the chain to malfunction that lead to damage to the engine. Engine block had to be replaced at a cost of around $3000. Ford has a service bulletin out on this same problem, however I bought the vehicle in Nov 2000 and I never received any service bulletin from Ford informing me of this problem. I tried taking the vehicle to the local dealer and was told they won't repair it under the Ford safety bulletin because it was only for 7 yrs or 100,000. The vehicles 7 years expired in April 2005. I tried emailing or contacting Ford directly and got no response.

I had problems with my Ford Explorer engine since the first day I bought the truck. It has been in the shop a few times for recallas on the engine, the last time only this past December. Last Saturday, may 22nd the truck stopped in the middle of traffic. I had it towed to Ford dealer and was told my crankshaft broke. Two different dealers told me the same thing and agreed that that should not have happend but also told me that there is nothing they can do. Basically to bad on you. I have seen many messages on the internet on this very same problem happening to others. This could have been deadly if I were on a highway when it stopped. Ford should be responsible to cover costs when something that should not break does. Ford could care less. Cost to me over $4,500. 00 for a new engine on a maintained 6 year old car. Per an attorney this is known as a latent defect and it took this time to happen, when that kind of part should last a long time.

Engine head gasket cracked. The consumer stated while driving home the engine started to misfire and the temperature gauge went up a little.

Check engine indicator light illuminated. Vehicle was taken to the dealer at consumer's expenses of $850. 00. Twenty days afterwards the problem was still recurring.

Cam shaft broke inside engine, during normal operation. Car had only 85,000 miles, there must have been a defect in the part. It cost $3,500 to repair damage.

Broken crankshaft on 1998 Ford Explorer with only 83,000 miles. No help from Ford. Seems to be a materials defect.

After sitting idle for an hour the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department determined the fire started in the engine.

Vehicle stopped dead in traffic on weems creek bridge in annapolis maryland during a rainstorm because the crankshaft broke.

The crank shaft broke in half, which caused the vehicle to be disabled.

1999 Ford Explorer experiencing high idle. Vehicle experienced high idle for 1 year.

Vehicle would not start and was towed to dealer. Dealer determined crankshaft had broken and needed to be replaced. .

Rear timing chain failed and caused cylinder head damage. Not covered under extended warranty for front timing chain. The vehicle lost all power while driving 45mph, stranding driver and small child. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Engine was pulled out of truck and the head and timing chain replaced. Cost was $2800. Ford gave "goodwill" warranty of 50%.

Consumer took vehicle into the dealer to get camshaft fixed. After dealer fixed the problem back engine.

Vehicle rattles underneath. Dealership is aware of problem. Camshaft broke, and chain that goes around it also broke.

While driving about 40 mph engine locked up. Explorer was able to be driven to dealership. Timing chain was replaced at owner's expense because it was stretched and slipped off. Ford is aware of this problem because of service bulletin.

1998 Ford Explorer, 4. 0sov has a repeated engine hesitation problem when engine is warm and accelerating from a stop. Dealer says after numerous complaints he can not find the problem. I have had this problem since the vehicle was new it now has 100,000 miles and still hesitates on acceleration.

Going down a steep hill at a very low speed about 5 mph ,the idling speed will overcome the compressor in engine. Totally dependent on brakes, causes the brakes to overheat and results in brakes fading. Dangerous sitution.

1998 Ford Explorer fire. The consumer ( a fire fighter) responded to a vehicle fire. The owner of the vehicle stated the brake light blew. He changed the 15 amp bulb and noticed a plug on the master cylinder was hot and had some soot on it and it wasn't melted or deformed. The vehicle sustained heavy fire damaged to the engine compartment with the heaviest fire damage near the master cylinder.

Engine light illuminated and the vehicle was driving "rough. " dealer determined that the cam chain guide broke, and engine had to be replaced.

Upon routine oil change dealer noticed engine connecting rod broke from engine piston. Due to the broken engine connecting rod engine needed replacing. Dealer stated this problem was common. Please provide any further details.

Dealer says that it is the timing chain housing and Ford is working on a fix.