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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#3165 of 6385 Re: idntnvu and similar problems [leomort] by bond001

Dec 12, 2004 (1:56 am)

Replying to: leomort (Dec 09, 2004 7:16 am)
Responding to your intermittent starting problems. I have 2 Explorers, a 1997 EB V8 All Wheel drive and a 1998 EB V6. You might want to have the IAC valve changed. Called the Valve Assembly-Idle Air Control $129.29 Part #F67Z-9F715 BB and a new gasket put on for $1.51. If your car is hard starting and sometimes chugs along this could be your problem. You will need to have a Ford Dealer check this for you as they hook your car up to a computer to diagnose this. This can only be performed at your Ford dealer. I have run both cars down near or below E without any problems. To my knowledge i have never changed the fuel filters on either car and they run just fine. Only the IAC valve on both. Hope this helps

#3166 of 6385 idntnvu & bond001 by jrc346

Dec 12, 2004 (11:55 am)

idntnvu:
Very hard to say what may have happened to your battery, though probably nothing if your truck starts ok. You may want to stick a charger on it for a couple of hours just in case it took a big hit on the battery's charge. The only other thing that may have been damaged, is the alternator. Both the battery and alternator can be checked for free at Autozone. A good alternator runs at around 14 volts while running, and a good battery holds somewhere between 11 and 12 volts.
As for GM 6.2L and 6.5L Turbos, pure trash, though with stronger emphasis on the 6.2L. The step van had an Allison transmission in it, which was also bad. UGH! There is a fleet of about 6, 96 step vans, and all but the mine had the Allison transmission go out, mine just shifted very roughly.
 
Bond001:
You may have a point with the IAC valve. Seems like you posting about that brought back memories from the past when people were writing in here about "hard to start" and "poor idle" conditions.
Both of the Explorers that I am talking about (2000's) will both not starting when backed up a hill, and have less than a quarter of a tank of gas. I always have to roll to the bottom of my driveway to start the trucks. It hasn't happened in a while because the gas always stays above 3/4 or a tank. When I suggested to keep the gas level above 3/4 it was for the reasons mentioned. Cooling, keeps debris out of the pre-filter (and fuel line filter), and solves the no start condition some have when on an incline.
I don't claim that these are facts, just friendly suggestions that were passed on to me from various people I have talked to. They seem to make sense, but it's anyones guess. I do believe that it is a part of regular maintenance to change your fuel filters. When they build up crud and sediments in them over time, it causes a strain on your fuel pump, and will also decrease your gas mileage. Think of it as when you are blowing air through a straw. Bend the straw and it becomes much harder to push the air through. This strain causes heat, and will eventually get the best of your fuel pump.

#3167 of 6385 Starting on a hill by opera_house_wk

Dec 12, 2004 (5:56 pm)

I park my 97 facing down on a steep driveway and if I'm below 1/4 tank before I pull in, then there can be trouble. I've "run out of gas" there just trying to warm it up for a couple minutes. The tank is lengthwise and it is just simple physics.

#3168 of 6385 Re: Starting on a hill by jrc346

Dec 12, 2004 (6:14 pm)

"The tank is lengthwise and it is just simple physics."
 
Very true, but for some reason my 1999 Expedition does not seem to be as sensitive to this issue. However, like the rest of my vehicles, the gas in that rarely gets below a quarter tank.

#3169 of 6385 Re: shuttering sound [starrin] by salter

Dec 12, 2004 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: starrin (Feb 28, 2004 7:31 pm)
Did you ever find out what was causing this problem?

#3170 of 6385 Re: idntnvu & bond001 [jrc346] by bond001

Dec 12, 2004 (10:20 pm)

Replying to: jrc346 (Dec 12, 2004 11:55 am)
Thanks for your reply. You are right about the regular maintance. Maintaince schedules get very expensive. I have the oil & filter changed every 3000 miles for both cars & tires rotated,change the air filter around 12,000. I let the dealership do the major transmittion filter change when asked. The fuel filter i do monitor and haven't had any problems with gas mileage or performance either 97 or 98. My 97 is garaged. The 98 i believe has had a fuel filter change or two. Right now the 98 is approaching 100,000 miles while my 97 is approaching 60,000. For the most part i am pleased with both cars. Is the fuel tank different in my Explorers than the 2000?

#3171 of 6385 bond001 by jrc346

Dec 13, 2004 (12:57 am)

"Is the fuel tank different in my Explorers than the 2000?"
That is what I am wondering. The 1996 Explorer I sold 3 years ago didn't have the start problem on a hill, but it did burn up a fuel pump at around 90,000mi, so that is why I am cautious.

#3172 of 6385 Bond001, jrc346, & idntnvu by leomort

Dec 13, 2004 (6:30 am)

Thank you for all you posts. I wasn't able to post on Friday due to Edmund's talk forums being down for maintenence. My '01 Explorer V8 AWD seems to be starting ok for the moment. But if I have another episode of hard starter problem, I'm going to look into the IAC valve change. Thanks to all.

#3173 of 6385 Re: jrc346 [idntnvu] by wijoco

Dec 13, 2004 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: idntnvu (Dec 11, 2004 10:32 pm)
Has GM EVER made a good diesel?

#3174 of 6385 Just had the Reverse clunk fixed, or did I? by frrussre

Dec 13, 2004 (9:03 pm)

2004(April) Explorer XLT V8, 5000 miles on the clock. I noticed a slight clonk on putting into reverse & sometimes into drive. I did not receive a recall notice, but made an appointment for the truck with my NY dealer, Thursday 9 .0 am.
By Thursday eve, they said they had just finished diagnostics??? Friday came, did not have time to finish it. No truck for Sat/Sunday. Monday I called, eventually ready at 4 .0pm. 5 days, understood it is a 90 minute job. Drove the truck home, about 3 miles. Not convinced it is any better. Though I did read somewhere the onboard computer/software will have to "Reset/find itself". Hope so. Will let you all know.
(4L2Z-7G391-AA BDY ASY-Trans) Flu Trans auto (Fluid).
Ps. I had 2 Brand New Jeeps GCL's before this, they both had clunky/clonky tranny's. Thought I was getting away from that.
Reg.
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