Thread: D3 4L V6 timing change noise straight after oil change

Hi all,
I recently changed the oil and filter on my D3 4L V6 and it seems to have coincided immediately with what sounds like a rattling timing chain.

I have also had an intermittent bearing noise from one of the ancillaries on the front of the engine which goes away within a few minutes, but I beieve these are two separate issues. The rattling sound increases with engine speed. It sounds like it is coming from the top of the engine on the left hand side when looking from in front of the car (so on the drivers side in Australia).

The car has done 158,500 km. Engine oil is Castrol Edge (full synthetic) 5W-30.

Any thoughts on the coincidence with the oil change? I've read comments on some Ford Explorer forums saying people have resolved the rattling timing chain by using an oil additive such as STP oil treatment or Lucas Engine Oil Stabilizer.

Do these engines have front and rear timing chains?

Thanks,
Kevin

Originally Posted by PhilipA

I think it is fair to say that this is the main weakness of this engine.

If you look on google at Ford Explorer V6 timing chains, you will find dozens of how tos to fix the problems, which usually involve engine out and a lot of special tools.

I hope that there is someone/somewhere who has the experience in Australia to do the job, but it will be VERY expensive.

The problem is usually related to long oil change periods.

I am not sure who could help with diagnosis ,as the engine is an "orphan" in Australia , only fitted to Ford Explorers, of which only a few were sold and D3 ditto.
perhaps ring around some specialists and maybe Ford specialists.

Regards PhilipA

Reading the American forums it seems that the 4LTR is also shared with some Mazda vehicles.