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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair
6385 messages, Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM
You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer
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#152 of 6385 Ford in headlines again: Re engine stalls by sanandton
Aug 31, 2000 (12:54 pm)
Some of you may remember me as the PREVIOUS owner of 3 different explorers. My last one was prone to unexpected stalls, usually when you needed the power the most (like making a left turn across traffic). Ford never did fix the thing and I ended up trading it at a loss. I have seen some sporadic post regarding the same problem from other explorer owners and some expedition owners.Well, finally some news surfaces regarding a stalling problem with fords. In todays paper, business section, Headline: "Ford may face huge recall over ignition devices". Seems a federal judge in California feels enough evidence exists to force a recall. Dangerous stalls have occurred as a result of this defect. He even goes as far as accusing Ford of deceiving safety investigators and consumers. Not sure about the investigators, but I sure wasn't happy with my vehicles. Anyway the article does indicate the recall will affect cars built from 1983-1995. Mine were all newer than this, but at least those ford owners out there with this problem know about a possible fix. Most ford owners have to be knowledgeable about their own cars and problems. It didn't seem that my local 3 dealerships had a clue!
#153 of 6385 rvivinetto-tension replacement by swn1
Aug 31, 2000 (5:35 pm)
Is that dealer giving you a free lube with that bill? You need to contact Ford and see why you're being ripped off for this. The cost should be under $200. They made up that $2,000 figure unless that includes the service manager's vacation. You need to find a new service department and quick. I've been fortunate to actually find one and instantly became the shop foreman's best friend,so to speak. He's the one that can make or break you. I found as long as you treat them like a human being you will get a lot further and be treated the same way back plus.#154 of 6385 Help: Remote Door Lock question by sf6
Aug 31, 2000 (6:42 pm)
I visited the dealer yesterday and tried to purchase a new remote access control (the hand held unit that fits on your key chain) for my explorer. I currently have only one, which works fine, but I wanted to purchase a second as a backup. The dealer has the same remote factory unit that I current have, but cannot get it to "talk" to the explorer. The dealer said I might need to replace the receiver in the explorer to get it working. If the one I have now is working, this does not seem logical. Help, has anyone run into this, and have a solution?#155 of 6385 leaky manifold gasket by samueltm
Aug 31, 2000 (9:05 pm)
I have a 98 ford explorer with the SOHC V6 andI'm having problems with a leaky manifold gasket.
My mechanic has stated that this seems to be a common problem and that there might be a recall. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, did you contact ford and what was their response? Thanks
#156 of 6385 sf6 and samuektm by mazman1
Sep 01, 2000 (12:56 am)
SF6: Get a new dealer. That guy does not know how to program the unit or wants to hook you for a new sending unit.Samueltm
Check the website www.alldata.com for TSB's and recall info on your vehicle.
Good luck.
#157 of 6385 1997 Explorer Prob. Cont by rvivinetto
Sep 01, 2000 (1:31 am)
It is now 2 weeks that the Ford dealer has had my 97 Explorer XLT. It is a good thing they gave me the Taurus so I would have something to drive. I can't imagine why it is taking so long to fix this diesel sound - maybe it isn't just a tensioner problem. This is unbelievable. I just want it back fixed and I don't want to have to pay for it. I am going to show my service manager who is actually very nice all these comments.#158 of 6385 Brake lights and ABS on '94 XLT 4x4 by ford_explorer
Sep 01, 2000 (6:44 pm)
New to this board... I own a 94 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 with 104K miles on it. Recently I have encountered two problems. Needs some suggestions. You can email comments to ford_explorer_xlt
hotmail.com. 1. Brake lights. Recently my brake lights went out twice. The first time, replacing all the tail lights worked. Now, pfft. Still no brake lights even though the tail lights, signal lights and reverse lights all work. Fuses checkout ok. I suspect it could be a sensor from my brake pedals? (Or, gulp, worse?)
2. ABS. The light comes on occasionally. It will go off if I turn off the ignition and restart. Dealers say there is no problem! Also, in slow speed/tight turns (e.g., into a parking space), what feels like the ABS pulsating can be felt. It's unnverving but controllable. Any ideas?
Aside from these issues and the usual frequent brake/rotor services, the 94 Explorer XLT runs great. I am the original owner. Thanks.
#159 of 6385 Ford Explorer XLT 1997 SOHC by rvivinetto
Sep 01, 2000 (11:14 pm)
I just got off the phone with my Ford Dealer Service Manager. My Explorer has been there for 2 weeks. Now they are saying it is not a tensioner problem but I need a whole new engine. They are waiting for the engine to come in. The cost would be about $5000 but out of Good Will it will only cost me between $200 and $300. I don't think I should have to pay anything as it seems to be a defect in this SOHC engine. The car is out of warranty at 57,000 miles, but should an engine be broken at this mileage? Please advice me.#160 of 6385 rvivinetto by mazman1
Sep 02, 2000 (2:19 pm)
Cant really answer your question without finding out what failed on the engine. Did the block crack? You said it was running when you brought it to the dealer, right?#161 of 6385 ATTENTION ALL EXPLORER OWNERS by seacrow
Sep 03, 2000 (2:33 pm)
I am a regular on this board. I posed this repsonse a couple of months ago. I am reposting it with some updates that I have recently learned of. If anyone has any questions regarding their Explorer, email me a seacrowhotmail.com I have an excellent dealer that always finds the fixes for these things. Here is what I posted a couple of months ago:"I own a 98 Explorer XLT SOHC V-6 2WD Loaded
including leather and moonroof. It is pretty
obvious to me that the overwhelming problem is not
the vehicle, it is the service departments that
most of you have. There are some flaws in design of
this vehicle. I have done a lot of research on
these problems and a lot of this info comes form my
service writer, the best I have dealt with.
Engine:
91-current Explorers use a 4.0 OHV (overhead
valve) V-6. It was the sole V-6 engine until 97
when the SOHC (single overhead cam) version
arrived. They are the same engine only the SOHC
uses different heads. They are based on the old 2.9
V-6 used in the Ford Ranger from 86-92. They are
built in Cologne, Germany and are a very good
design. Both engines are still offered, the OHV is
on low-line XLS, XL models from 97-current. XLT and
above gets the SOHC or the 5.0 V-8 (96-current).
Problems with the OHV are most commonly dieseling
sounds. Most of the time this is due to "piston
slap". The pistons slap on the insides of the
piston skirts. It can be caused by a simple
manufacturing defect in a wrist pin/connecting rod
of very little tolerance. Piston slap is very rare
and engine failure due to it is extremely rare. It
normally will not damage the engine any more than
everyday use. It is more annoying than anything.
Overall this is an extrememly reliable engine and
is good for more than 200K of service or more
without incident. Early models also had EGR
problems if equipped with an EGR valve.
Problems with the SOHC are stalling, vibrations
while turning and knocking sounds on startup or
hard acceleration. Stalling can be due to a bad
program in the ECC (engine control computer) or a
warped intake manifold/bad intake gasket. It can
also be caused by fuel with high alcohol content or
a loose gas cap. The ECC can be reflashed with an
updated program, the intake is usually solved with
a new gasket and sometimes a new intake manifold.
The manifold leak causes a vacuum leak in the
cylinders causing it to stall. Try different brands
of gas and always tighten the gas cap. Especially
the twist and click type. Vibrations while turning
are caused by the power steering hose/exhaust
vibrating under steering pump load on the engine.
There is an update for the hoses and an exhaust
bracket that makes those noises completely
disappear and makes the steering smooth as silk.
The knocking noise is the timing chain tensioners,
specifically the tensioners. The original design
had the tensioners mounted to the engine block with
nylon anchors. They would break and cause the
timing chain to rattle against the timing covers.
After several redesigns, they have finally made
them steel and should solve the problem without
further incident. This noise usually starts around
20K and worsens. It normally will not cause any
engine damage but is not good for the engine
either. I've had all three of these problems with
my 98 and all three are fixed for good. It is
smooth as silk.
Other problems are phantom wipers, premature
transmission failure, premature rotor warpage, rear
wiper failure and rear suspension noises.
Phanotm wipers is caused by a defective
multi-function switch. Some corrode and some were
bad from the supplier. It makes the wipers activate
themselves when turning the signals on or making
turns. It has been updated and should not cause any
more problems once replaced. 97 and newer
Explorers have speed dependent intermittent wipers.
The faster you drive the faster the intermittent
wipers wipe (the shorter the intervals). This is a
conveniece and can be turned off (see owners
manual) don't confuse it with phantom wipers.
Premature transmission failure is most often a
result of lack of maintenance. The tranny should be
serviced every 15-30K miles depending on towing,
driving habits, etc. I think the owners manual is
far to lax on freqency of this service. I think it
says 50K. I do mine every 15K, I tow a lot and do a
lot of city driving.
REar wiper failure is a lot of times due to the
rear wiper getting stuck in it's holder on the
hatch. Try turning it on and freeing it by hand (be
careful). I've done this a couple of times and it
has never failed since. The holder is a little
tight and needs to be loosened up. It helps to use
it more often too.
Rotor warpage is present on almost all newer
vehicles and is mostly due to driving habits. The
brakes get hot and something as simple as driving
through a mud puddle or a car wash quick cools the
rotors and they will warp. The tires and suspension
on Explorers help amplify the problem. Just living
with it seems to be the best. Mine are slightly
warped on both my F-150 and my Explorer and it
comes and goes with weather and brake usage. Don't
ride the brakes, brake hard, and do your best not
to get hot brakes too wet. Also, air wrenches can
warp rotors too. Always request hand torquing of
lug nuts whe you have service performed.
There is an update on the rear suspension bushings
that will solve the bed spring sound some of you
have.
that's about all I know about the Explorer. when I
get time I will dig out my invoices and post part
numbers and any others TSB numbers I have. I do not
work for a dealer but I am lucky enough to have a
good service department. Ford has designed many
updates to parts and worked to correct some of
these problems. I think that many of you aren't
hearing of them for some reason. My Explorer has
had almost every problem I mentioned except for the
tranny problem. All of this was fixed in one trip
and four days sooner than projected. Ford sells
almost half a million of these a year. Most folks I
know haven't had any problems with Explorers but
for as many as they build there are bound to be
some problems (many times supplier problems not
Ford). Sometimes it's common sense problems (rotor
warpage) that folks aren't aware of. I love mine. I
drive the hell out of it and the great service
department has made the problems seem minor. I hope
this info helps. Take it to the dealer with you. I
will post part/TSB numbers ASAP. Good luck."
Here are the updates:
The rear suspension noises are fixed with a new rear sway bar assembly. It is an updated version so it should be a TSB in Fords Oasis computer.
The stalling problem reappeared on my Explorer. The official fix is the fuel pump assembly experiencing cavitation on turns (it sucks air for a second) losing fuel pressure, hence, the stall. There is a new fuel pump assembly that solves the problem. Mine goes in next week for this and I will update how it performs.
Again, if you have any questions please email me a seacrow
hotmail.com I may be able to find out some info from my excellent dealer for you if it is not listed above. I feel Explorers are excellent vehicles and that many of you are getting the bone from some of the not-so-great dealers. Good Luck!To POST a message, please
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