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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

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

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 262 of 640

#2604 of 6386 And Some more on that and that by jrc346

Apr 19, 2004 (9:30 am)

I have owned 3 Explorers, all with V6 engines. The first, being a 96 Sport had the OHV engine in it, and while it was very reliable, it was gutless in certain situations. The next two were 2000's. A leased XLT 4.0L SOHC V6 that has been turned in for about 2 years now, and my wife's current vehicle, a 2000 Limited 4.0L SOHC V6. Both of the 2000's needed the timing chain tensioner replaced because of the noise at start-up. My wife's truck only has about 60,000 miles on it, but other than a bad thermostat, it has been a good little motor. The leased Explorer only had 30,000 miles when I turned it in back to Ford, so my experience stops there with that vehicle. The pre 2002 Explorer's have 100,000K coverage from Ford if the motor fails due to timing chain failure. From what I have heard, the reason for the engine failure has to due with the timing chain cassette failing at the rear of the engine (mentioned above as being in accessible unless the engine is taken out). The 2002+ Explorers have this problem remedied, so any purchasers of those models won't have to worry about timing chain failure due to that particular problem.
 
I guess I could be mad or worried about it, but I'm not. I have others in the family that own Explorers with the same motor, and they haven't had any problems (theirs are closer to 100K than mine as well). My dealer also mentioned that failure is very rare for them to see (back in 2000, they only had 1 engine that needed to be pulled for timing cassette replacement, not engine failure)
 
As for the 4.6L comments. The 4.6L V8 used in the 2002+ Explorer is a slightly different design than those used in the Crown Vics and Lincoln Towncars. The main difference being that the 2002+ Explorer motor is now ALL aluminum. My sons 96 T-bird has the Cast Iron block and Aluminum head combo which has been very reliable. Rest assured, these are EXCELLENT motors. Taxis with 300K+ on them, Police with 200K+, my sons with 130K on it, and my good friend has 120K on his. The all aluminum motors haven't built up a reputation yet, but seeing as how the chemistry is similar, I don't see why their reputation would be any less stellar.

#2605 of 6386 Axle Whine Fix by jrc346

Apr 19, 2004 (9:33 am)

"No Current Fix"
Where are they living? In a cave? Your dealer should know that there is indeed a fix. If you want proof, look over in the Aviator board I think it involves the replacement of the axle to a revised one.

#2606 of 6386 nvbanker by leomort

Apr 19, 2004 (10:28 am)

Thanks for the response regarding the reliability of the Ford Explorer. I have a '94 Toyota Paseo w/ 221k+ miles on it that can't pass emissions any more so I'm giving up on her.
 
I put on about 20-25K miles per year. So need something reliable to get my money's worth since 150K miles can add up quickly.
 
                      Regards,
 
                        Leo

#2607 of 6386 Rear Whine FIX is Available by infotime

Apr 19, 2004 (3:26 pm)

I just got my Mountaineer back from the dealer today. They replaced the complete rear end. I was told it was a redesigned differential.
My vehicle does not "whine" anymore.
 
There is a SSM on Ford's Oasis system that tells them to replace the Rear Diff Assy as a whole unit.

#2608 of 6386 Radio flicker & loose seat by gasburner

Apr 20, 2004 (5:37 am)

I have a 99 XLT V8 with about 45K on it. Overall it has been a good vehicle. No problems at all with the engine or trans. Biggest expense has been new rotors at about 43K.
 
I do have a couple of annoying things developing.
1) the famous blinking/flickering radio display. The flickering started within the 2nd year and Ford said no fix was available and told me to adjust the interior dimmer switch, which stopped the flickering. After about 2 years now it is starting to flicker again. Anybody have any luck with getting Ford to replace the radio with a redesign,(I have the ESP warranty which should cover it)and if so does the dash now rattle?
2) drivers seat seems like it is getting loose. The seat shifts slightly while taking turns and makes a click sound. All the obvious bolts are tight. I suppect it is play developing in the power seat mechanism. Anybody have this problem or can suggest a fix?

#2609 of 6386 Rchecker by mseenviro

Apr 20, 2004 (6:55 am)

Rchecker,
 
While I have no way of knowing if your mechanic is right, I can give you an accurate picture of my experience with my 2002 Ford Explorer. Mine is an XLT 4x4 with the V-8.
 
I bought it used in July with 20,000 miles on it. Since I've owned it, the Explorer has been in the Ford dealership 11 different times. The list is entirely too long to list, but 5 times alone was for the ABS light. They would replace the sensor and a few thousand miles later the light would come on. I was recently told there was a "bad batch" of the speed sensors and they think they have it fixed. Lets see, other problem....torn wheel seals twice, transmission troubles, back up lights not working, the list goes on and on and on. I can't wait to get this baby paid off and get rid of it. What a piece of crap.
 
Good luck with yours.
 
Mike

#2610 of 6386 Why torment yourself, Mike? by nvbanker

Apr 20, 2004 (5:23 pm)

You obviously have a bad one, trade it in now, like the previous owner did, and get on with life.

#2611 of 6386 nvbanker RE: Explorer by rchecker

Apr 20, 2004 (8:16 pm)

You seem to be extremely happy with your 04 and your past Explorers. Are you just lucky with your vehicle selection or extremely confident in Ford's product. My current vehicle is a 94 Ford Ranger Supercab w/ 186,000 + miles on it and have been happy with it and is my first Ford. I'm strongly leaning toward the 03 Explorer because I feel one can end up with a crappy vehicle from any manufacturer. It's just hit or miss. If it turns out to be a piece of crap I'll follow your advice to Mike. I'll trade it in and get on with life.

#2612 of 6386 O/D light flashing by orangelebaron

Apr 20, 2004 (8:35 pm)

95 XLT with 149K. The overdrive off light flashes on and off. The transmission was replaced last year.
Also... when idling there is sometimes a "booming" noise coming from the exhaust. Like a big drum.
Ideas?
Thanks

#2613 of 6386 gasburner, your issues by swschrad

Apr 21, 2004 (9:03 am)

1) radio: this is a known problem with solder joints cracking on the power and display boards in the mach radio. if you have a roll of #26 or #28 silver solder and a 8-20 watt soldering iron, and some skills including a 4x to 8x magnifying lamp on working with surface-mount circuit boards, you can fix this. touch up all solder joints on both boards with a little new flux-bearing silver solder, and pull the power-supply resistors up a litter higher on the board and resolder them. should fix it.
 
1a) the radio pulls harmlessly out of its dash pod with four nails pushing back the spring clips on the side of the radio, or a pair of ford radio pullers locked into place, in the four holes on the front edges of the radio unit. unplug three signal connectors and one radio antenna coax before you yank the sucker all the way out, and you can open the radio in a static-free zone to fix it. no damage or rattling to dash.
 
look way back, maybe 400-500 messages, to see a number of references to a pay-for-data web site which has more complete details on the radio fix. I paid, I succeeded, and a few months later I was pushed off the guy's server for lack of activity. "write and we'll add you back," but it wasn't worth the hassle. if you are sorta-handy with electronics but this is the first go-around with SMT, it might be $20 well spent.
 
2) drivers seat. my '00 has the power-all seat with airbags, and I have the crunch/click issue as well. if anybody knows what to do about it, other than get a new seat, let me know. regreasing doesn't do it. I think it's excess play developing in the power seat mechanism, and it's on the order of Stuck Outta Luck. notice the seats were redesigned for the 2002s and up, and nobody has been complaining about the new ones (except I don't like the controls as much.)

Messages Page 262 of 640

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