A 97 ford explorer is making a clicking noise when the oil cap is opened just wondering is this bad and is it a interference or non interference?

Answer 1

You must have a 4.0 SOHC. It's not good. The timing chain guides and tensioners are probably bad. This is a MAJOR operation on that engine. It is not simply a matter of changing a timing chain, guide, and tensioner set, but there are three timing chains on that engine, and none of the sprockets have keyways or timng marks on them. You have to use a set of special alignment and holding tools to align the chains and gears. As said there are three chains. There is a primary chain that is where the old push rod type engine used to be. That is connected to a gear that drives a jackshaft that goes through the middle of the engine and there is a gear on the other end at the rear of the engine block that attaches to a gear and drives another timing chain in the rear that runs the right bank overhead cam. Back in the front, we have a gear behind the jackshaft driving gear, that runs another chain that drives the left bank overhead camshaft. The only explanation I have is that this engine was designed by aliens.