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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 250 of 640

#2483 of 6385 All 2004 4.0 L Explorer Owners by nand12

Mar 09, 2004 (7:46 pm)

Please check your engine at idle, with the hood open to see if you have a diesel-like noise eminating from the black engine cover. It's very likely that all the 2004 explorers make this noise and that they make it because Ford built defective engines for the 2004 model year. The diesel sound and its timing with acceleration etc., is consistent with a timing chain/tensioner or cam shaft tensioner defect which plagued the 1997-2001 model year vehicles equipped with the 4.0 L SOHC. I personally advise all 2004 4.0 L explorer owners to get the facts from their respective dealers to see what the defect with the engines is.

#2484 of 6385 Update: 99 XLS Plugs by idntnvu

Mar 10, 2004 (9:45 am)

I got my explorer back yesterday evening, and I can tell a huge difference. The front end was out of alignment a decent amount, and after the correction, it's a lot easier to keep on center and the steering feels a lot tighter.
They ran the computer diagnostic to reset the idiot light, and it showed a #4 plug misfire. They didn't charge me but a couple bucks for that since they already knew the problem, just had to reset the light. The mechanic suggested that I have a cleaning service performed, about 40 bucks, cleans the injectors, throttle body, lots of other components, and he said "you wouldn't believe the difference it makes. I did it to mine and it made a huge difference." So I'm thinking I might get that done next week. I'm going to see how it runs this week with the new plugs. So far so good, but I only drove about 15 minutes after getting it from the garage. Total bill for yesterday's work was $145, which I feel was well worth it.

#2485 of 6385 2483: so, the old shaft positioning block fault is back, eh? by swschrad

Mar 10, 2004 (10:59 am)

fascinating. if they put nylon parts in that german-built engine again, they ought to be horsewhipped, baled in barbed wire, hung upside down naked from a high-tension line in a blizzard and sprayed with boiling water... and then somebody needs to get serious with 'em.
 
darned glad I insisted on my V8.

#2486 of 6385 swschrad: If you have the 4.6 L V8.. by nand12

Mar 10, 2004 (11:07 am)

If you have the 4.6 L V8 i wouldn't be jumping for joy either because apparently these engines are blowing head gaskets prematurely according to many ford owners. I read one account of a person who bought a brand new fully loaded 2004 expedition with the 4.6 L V8 and by the time he reached 6,000 miles, his vehicle was diagnosed with a blow headgasket. I think Ford is really playing us all for fools because they just dont seem to get the design and engineering right.

#2487 of 6385 hmmph, that 4.6L was delayed to insure the heads were right by swschrad

Mar 10, 2004 (11:28 am)

and no, my 2000 has the historic old 302 V8, aka 5.0L. that relic of the 70s used to occasionally get a little piston slap, I am told, but otherwise was pretty tight and solid. also hell to replace plugs 3 and 7 on back in the days of the Boss Mustang, but the plastic inner fenders of the exploders make getting to those plugs right easy now.
 
ford better watch out, they'll get a "rep" for head gaskets. the 3.8L V6 on the 90s taurus was a legend in that regard. maybe they should just make nice, thick, fat, ugly, heavy blocks again and be done with the warranty calls.

#2488 of 6385 I just love dealers....... by akangl

Mar 10, 2004 (11:54 am)

Not really, being slightly sarcastic. I took my Explorer in for a funny shifting transmission, first they told me they couldn't duplicate the problem, then I showed them what it was doing and suddenly that was normal. Oh well, I figure if it has a problem it will show up before the 100k ESC is up.
 
As for the dieseling engine sound mentioned in the post above, my 2004 doesn't seem to be doing that and I'm at 6500 miles.

#2489 of 6385 Akangl by nand12

Mar 10, 2004 (12:05 pm)

Are you sure that your explorer doesnt make the diesel noise? As far as I have checked, ALL the 2004 explorers equipped with the 4.0 L make the noise because i checked a lot of them at my dealer and there are numerous complaints about the noise on other forums. As far as my '04 explorer is concerned, I took it in to the dealer and they are replacing the engine as we post. And the explorer only has 550 frickin miles. In any case many people are having their engines replaced early to prevent it from seizing up later on. I would just check and make sure that you dont have the noise. With the hood open, observe the noise that comes from the black engine cover.

#2490 of 6385 Nope by akangl

Mar 10, 2004 (10:43 pm)

Mine is super quiet hood closed or open. I will turn 7000 miles this week, NO engine problems AT ALL. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I use 0W-30 synthetic oil in my Explorer. I've owned mine since January 6, 2004 and 12 miles.

#2491 of 6385 by nvbanker

Mar 11, 2004 (9:52 am)

I'm running two 4.0L engines currently, one with 125,000 miles on it, and the other with 30,000. No noise.

#2492 of 6385 akangl by wijoco

Mar 11, 2004 (1:09 pm)

Geez, you have GOT to get rid of that thing! You are cursed when it comes to Explorers. If I had just bought a new $30K SUV and got a bad motor AND transmission, I'd have driven it through the dealer's plate glass window by now. Good thing for Ford you're more patient than me!

Messages Page 250 of 640

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