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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 242 of 639

#2406 of 6385 Can it Be luck? by jrc346

Feb 08, 2004 (9:30 pm)

Sometimes I wonder. I will post the story that I have posted many times before (I hope those that have been on this board as long as I have don't mind ) I have owned 3 Explorers. I buy them because they are good trucks. Yeah I have had a few problems, but nothing really expensive, and never one thing after another.
1996 Explorer Sport
*Needed Fuel Pump 90,000 miles
*91,000 miles needed new front shocks
2000 Explorer XLT (was lease, tuned in 30,000)
*Timing chain tensioner (covered under recall)
2000 Explorer Limited ((Currently Own) 61,000 Mi)
No rattles, and even slightly more quiet than my Expy.
*Timing chain tensioner 31,000 (covered/recall)
*Thermostat 40,000
*Brakes (all 4) 45,000
*Ball Joints (Lower) 51,000
*2 Front Edelbrock shocks 48,000(just to soften up the ride)
 
Thats is, not to bad of a list.
My Expedition on the other hand has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned (incl. 5 Honda Accords), knock on plood)
Currently has 96,000 miles on it and these are the repairs that have been done.
*65,000 Battery and Alternator (Shorted Bat= Melted Alt)
*90,000 first brake job
Incredible!
 
So my Ford Experiences have been more like First On Race Day than Fix Or Repair Daily. Surely 4 good vehicles in a row has to be more than just luck?

#2407 of 6385 49K on my 2000 exploder limited v8 towing by swschrad

Feb 09, 2004 (9:32 am)

and I just replaced the battery. wasn't dead yet but acted like one cell didn't have much power left in it, so I took care of it before it stranded me. that's IT for failures, period, on mine.
 
outside of the normal wear and tear items (oil, filters, lube, one set of front brake pads, wipers, fluids, outside bulbs were shotgunned when a marker light went out) I have not had one issue with it. this HAS been a year for fuel-line icing up here, so I've had some four-crank no-starts that cleared up right now with a bottle of isopropyl fuel de-icer. the AWD has been awesome, and the replacement General tires from the "customer satisfaction initiative" have a real good grip, whereas the original => KILLER TIRES! tm <= Ford decided to get off the road on their own dime were not real good in any category of performance.
 
I liked the way the 2002s all handled and rode as well when I went to a No Boundaries Expedition day a couple years ago and drove 'em all on an imitation backcountry course.
 
good truck. tows real well up to the 3000 pounds I have had on it. would get a new exploder or mountie at the drop of an insurance check if somebody slid through an intersection and totalled me out.

#2408 of 6385 explorerx4 by jpreis

Feb 09, 2004 (12:21 pm)

Explorerx4 -
 
I'm trying to find the words to say this nicely but I can't. Your proposing that the driver alters his or her driving to accommodate (sp?) a defect in the vehicle that one has plunked down tens of thousands of dollars for? Not trying to be adversarial here, but c'mon.
 
Can you help me understand the context of Pilot owners showing up and leaving early:? I might have missed something.
 
PS - Got the Pilot on Friday. It now has 500 vibration free, silent miles on it.

#2409 of 6385 '02 MM has sloppy suspension by rhaddock

Feb 10, 2004 (5:36 pm)

I just purchased a '02 MM and noticed that going over speed bumps makes my front end bounce. I also get a lot of side-to-side swaying going over bumps, driveway entrances, etc. I have 40k miles. Is this a common attribute of the MM? Is there a way to stiffen the suspension so it doesn't rock so much? What about new shocks? Would this help and if so which ones are recommended?

#2410 of 6385 rhaddock by gregb5

Feb 11, 2004 (5:41 am)

The traits you describe will not be changed significantly with new shocks. They are low speed maneuvers where the springs have more effect, as well as center of gravity, etc. Shocks dampen the movement of the springs when at speed and won't do much on driveway bumps.
 
If you choose to replace them there are several good brands out there: Edelbrock, Bilstein, KYB, etc.
 
Good Luck

#2411 of 6385 jpreis by explorerx4

Feb 11, 2004 (7:38 pm)

i bought a 1st year model, which was a complete redesign, so i am not suprised there are some bugs. pretty minor, considering how great everything else is.
 
what i meant about the pilots i see at work is that i guess their owners don't have much confidence when the weather gets bad. i think you figured that one out on your own. might not be the vehicle. we have plenty of people that don't come to work when it snows, but then if driving in a snow storm bothers you that much, why buy a pilot? buy an accord.
 
hhaddock - check your tire pressures. a tire with tall sidwalls and low pressure can flex a lot.

#2412 of 6385 Idle rpm for a 02 AWD 4.0L Mountaineer by wifemm

Feb 11, 2004 (8:48 pm)

Can someone tell me what is the normal idle rpm for a 02 AWD 4.0L Mountaineer/Explorer?
 
I just put in a K&N hi-flow panel air filter, the idle is about 750-800, just want to check if this is normal, I forgot to check it before replacement.
 
Immediate impression is the throttle response is better, although I did not get on the highway yet.....thanks.

#2414 of 6385 All Wheel vs. 4X4 by dpfks

Feb 11, 2004 (9:26 pm)

I'm contemplating going to an All Wheel version of the Explorer...I'm presently driving a 4X4. I only use 4X4 for snow/ice/poor highway conditions. Anyone have experience with both types under this type of use?

#2415 of 6385 Check Engine Light 97 model by dpfks

Feb 11, 2004 (9:28 pm)

I've been dealing with chronic problems with check engine light. We've replaced the air flow sensor twice. The computer message says that the fuel is running lean. Ford Service says the only other thing it may be is a failing fuel pump, but don't want to change it out until we know for sure. Any suggestions?

Messages Page 242 of 639

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