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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6386 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM

You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 232 of 640

#2302 of 6386 Drive Shaft - look6phd by pulleydog

Dec 29, 2003 (8:03 pm)

Our '02 Mercury Mountaineer had to have the driveshaft replaced at close to 20K miles. Out of all the vehicles I have ever owned (and we're talking 16 vehicles and over 900K miles), I had never had a drive shaft problem until the MM last Fall. Of course, 2002 was the first year after a major re-design for the Explorer/Mountaineer sisters - although I don't know if the driveline was part of the redesign. I'd be surprised if that wasn't a common problem with these vehicles. We didn't have any other early signs of a problem, my wife was driving home one day and it started making a horrendous screeching noise - so bad she was afraid to drive it any further and had it towed.
"look6phd" - see if you can find a dealer willing to go to bat for you for an after warranty claim. Good luck!

#2303 of 6386 Wiper Fluid For Rear Of '03 Mountaineer by daryll40

Dec 30, 2003 (5:41 pm)

On my '03, do I need to add rear wiper fluid separately, in the back, like the 1991-2001 Explorers? Or does the rear wiper get fluid from the front? I am looking where to top off the fluids and can't find a place in the rear like my older Explorers.

#2304 of 6386 Washer Fluid by jrc346

Dec 30, 2003 (5:47 pm)

I think it was 1998 that Ford made the rear washer feed off of the front tank. All you should have to do is fill the front tank.

#2305 of 6386 Ya Know, You're Right! by daryll40

Dec 30, 2003 (8:10 pm)

Now that I think about it, my '99 Explorer never needed filling in the rear! I had that vehicle for almost 5 years and never even realized that it did not require rear filling like the '97 and '95 I had before it. Go figure...I'm not very observant!

#2306 of 6386 97 explorer tranny by richgb1

Jan 04, 2004 (8:55 pm)

This site is great! After reading through the posting I found the answer to my problem. I have a 97 explorer with a shift problem between 2nd and 3rd, the only problem is that it is intermitant. I have always done scheduled maintenance on every vehicle I have owned this one included on the transmission. Took it to the dealer and they checked it out for codes and also checked the pressures and a $160.00 later found nothing (no fluid change)said it would not help. The dealer said it would need a new transmission at $2,600. Being that it did not do it every time I checked to see if any one else had this problem on this site. After reading for quit awhile found out many people have Transmission problems with Fords. Had a transmission service done and still did not help. One person posted quit a extensive report on Ford having a TSB on replacement of parts to repair a pressure problem, which I would have resorted to next. Many do not believe in additives to cure these problems and to tell you neither did I. I tried Slick 50 Automatic Transmission Treatment and it do not work, actually made it worse. Drained some fluid out and next tried a Lucas product, also did not work but was better. Drained some more fluid out added LUBE GUARD and my problem is gone and the transmission works GREAT!!! This was from the postings and suggestions on this site, thanks alot, I hope this works for some others. www.lubeguard.com if anyone is interested, thanks again.

#2307 of 6386 1999 Ford Explorer by timesavers

Jan 06, 2004 (5:30 pm)

I am a single mom looking to buy a good inexpensive car. I found a 1999 Ford Explorer 4 door, 470000 miles, new tires, very vcean, no scratched dents, or rust. Has a sunroof, 6 CD changer, excellent leather interior and all the toys. Priced at $12900. Do you guys think this is a good deal?

#2308 of 6386 timesavers by tidester

Jan 06, 2004 (6:44 pm)

You may want to try the main Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer discussion.
 
tidester, host

#2309 of 6386 Radio LCD in 99 Ford AWD Eddie Bauer by abcde12345

Jan 06, 2004 (9:33 pm)

My radio LCD panel seems to fade in and out though it is mostly out. I took it to the dealer and they said a new radio would be approx. $400, or they could send it off for repair for approx. $200. They offered no other solutions. Does anyone have any ideas how I might fix this problem? Thanks.

#2310 of 6386 timesavers by akangl

Jan 07, 2004 (2:54 am)

In all honesty I wouldn't buy it, but then again I just finished up with a money pit 1997 Explorer Limited that only had 57k on it. Traded it in tonight. Unless you can get a decent warranty (doubtful with that old and that many miles) I wouldn't buy it. They are prone to suspension problems (mine had bad ball joints, repair was going to run $1000) and other stupid things. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Explorers, just don't want one without a warranty. BTW, I bought a 2004 Explorer to replace my 1997.

#2311 of 6386 RE: timesavers by dtownfb

Jan 07, 2004 (7:49 am)

I have to echo what akangl said. The Explorers are nice but it seems the last few years have not been kind as far as reliablility. I just traded a 1996 Explorer V8 with 146k miles. Extremely reliable but it was getting old. Only repairs made outside of maintenance is throttle body (should have been a warranty issue), Oxygen sensor at 55k and steering rack at 120k. Others have not had my luck.
 
If your objective is an inexpensive car and you need the space, I would consider a used station wagon like the Taurus. If not, you can get a good used mid size sedan for the same price. And 4WD is over rated esp. for a vehicle the size of the Explorer, Tahoes etc. And if you don't o off road, then it's just one more thing that can go wrong.
 
You can get around better in the snow (less then 6 inches but then again why would anyone in their right mind drive around in deeper snow then this)with a front wheel drive vehicle and decent tires.

Messages Page 232 of 640

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