I just bought a 4.0 v6 lr3 very well taken care of 130,000 miles for 3500, my question is, are the 4.0 v6 really that bad, when it comes to engine failures, how likely are the timing chaing to go?

 

...shouldn't you have asked this before you bought the vehicle???

 

Yes I should of asked before, to late now.

 

Any one know anything about the 4.0 v6?

 

Timing chains are the only real major issues on these motors, use about the same amount of fuel as the V8 but with less power and torque.

 

I have heard about the tining chains, in your opinion is this something rare that happene? Or all 4.0 have issues with this? Mine has 133000 miles

 

If it's like the (timing chain) issues that the 5.0 has, then it's a common problem.

 

The LR3 4.0L V6 is essentially the same as the Ford engine found in the Ford Explorer and numerous other vehicles. Do a little research on the Explorer engine and you'll get an idea of reliability. The timing chain guides are made of plastic. They will fail at some point. If the engine rattles during start up and shutting down you're on your way to needing them replaced. If it rattles all the time... stop driving it before you have a major issue. The engine is an interference engine... so when the guides/chains go the valves smack the pistons. Not a ideal situation.

 

Most issues with timing chains stem from long oil change intervals.

If you read up on Ford 4.0L V6, Ford 5.4L 3V V8, the Land Rover/Jaguar 5.0L V8 —they are all pretty much done in by the hydraulic tensioners leaking down, which causes wear on the chain guides and eventual failure. The tensioner is flawed in all of them, but failure comes from long oil change intervals. If the previous owner kept up with oil changes at a 5-6000, even 7500 mile, interval on synthetic it is probably fine. If there is no startup rattle, then you are good.

By now all these cars, even low mileage ones, are old enough to drive themselves. Don’t expect them to be trouble free, but keep up with the maintenance and enjoy it.

 

I replaced my engine with a Ford Ranger 4x4 4.0L SOHC V6 because of this very problem. Somewhere Ford wants you to replace the timing chain tensioners, which I did do on my replacement used engine with about 130,000? Km on it, plus used a Moroso pre-pressure oiling system to ensure the tensioners were operated before engine start. I have had absolutely no problems with this setup, but others would disagree, take a look at the Ford Explorer 4.0L SOHC forum and there is lots of information about these engines. I must warn you that on that forum they are mostly pro pre-pressurization of the oil system and I eventually became a convert also. I always use synthetic oil and change oil and filter about every 7500 Km. Just my $0.25 worth...