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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 382 of 639

#3808 of 6385 Chirping Noise by aplan1

Jun 14, 2005 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: cobra2 (Jun 11, 2005 10:23 pm)
I own a 1999 Mountaineer AWD. The problem you describe currently exists on my vehicle. I have been driving with the noise for several months. According to my former Mercury dealership mechanic, the problem/noise will never escape you and will only worsen with time.
 
History of Repairs:
 
The dealership replaced my serpentine belt on 05-02-2002 and then again on 7-17-2003. After the CY 2003 repair, the noise returned within a few months. Depending upon the weather (wet and/or humid) the noise can be somewhat erratic. In cold weather, the noise would disappear after a few minutes provided I was not encountering wet/snow conditions. Apparently, it is a mechanical defect that is not covered under the extended warranty provision.
 
Factory Shop Manual:
I was trying to locate a Ford Shop Manual to look into the matter.
 
Pervasive Ford Repair Issue on Several Model Years:
Since the problem exists on the 2005 vehicles, either Ford is unaware of the problem or is ignoring their responsibility to repair the problem. Perhaps, the dealerships are not reporting the problem to the factory and/or the repair amount is immaterial for Ford to take any action on behalf of its customers.

#3809 of 6385 Re: 2005 Ford Explorer, crappy gas mileage?? [fordexp1] by chuck1

Jun 14, 2005 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: fordexp1 (Jun 14, 2005 6:59 am)
"Hind sight I should have got the V8 explorer, and would tell anyone that buys a new one to get the V8. Its gas mileage seems to be equal to that of the V6 with a little more pep"
 
Yes, it has been talked about on this board that the V8 only gets about 2 mpg less highway, than the V6. Around town it seems to get about 1 mpg less. I can't explain how one poster is getting a claimed 20mpg at 80mph w/ the V8. This is against everything I know and all the posts here.........
 
As far as the V6 vs. the V8, the V6 seems to have plenty of torque for around town. IT IS pretty noisy. I think the main difference is on the highway. If you "punch" the V6 on the highway...there isn't a whole left as far as power is concerned.

#3810 of 6385 Re: Explorer fun [djn2] by shera1

Jun 14, 2005 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: djn2 (Mar 27, 2005 8:11 am)
I too, have a 98 Explorer XLT and love it! I bought it used with 45K on it. I now have 111K and it runs exactly the same. I am a preventative maintenance person but sadly, I have not tuned it up yet. The main reason for this is I have no idea how to get to the spark plug on the passenger side up against the cooling system. Any suggestions?

#3811 of 6385 Re: Explorer fun [shera1] by electricdesign

Jun 14, 2005 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: shera1 (Jun 14, 2005 6:21 pm)
You did not say what engine you have. I have the 5.0L V8 in my 2000 XLT. I reach the spark plugs by jacking the front of the vehicle up, supporting in on stands, then taking the front wheels off. Then pull the splash shields loose from inside the fender. I use a claw hammer to carefully pull those plastic retainers out, being careful not to break them. Then you can reach the plugs easily through the inner fender well opening by using a swivel spark plug socket and an extension. The back one on the passenger side is tight near the Air Condition Evaporator Box, but you can still reach it by slippng a straight spark plug socket on it first, then hooking the 3/8' rachet onto the spark plug socket, then turning it about a 1/2 turn to loosen it, then removing the ratchet from the socket, then turning the socket by hand until the plug is loose, then remove the plug. It is a snug fit, but there IS enough room. Be sure to gap the plug at the factory spec, the V8 calls for .054". I tried gapping them closer for a while to make my spark plug wires last longer, but the gas mileage seems to go down about 1 or 2 mpg, so it is better to have the correct gap and save the gas, it will pay for the wires over 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Be sure that you ALWAYS put a little SILICONE DIELECTRIC GREASE on the spark plug threads when installing the plugs, tighten firmly, but not too tight, then put more Silicone Dielectric Grease on the exterior of the spark plug insulator and squirt more inside the spark plug boot, then push it firmly on the plug, twisting the boot to be sure it is seated all the way on the plug. You can get a 3 or 4 oz tube of the SDG for about 4 or 5 bucks. Good stuff to keep in your tool box.
Good Luck,
E.D.

#3812 of 6385 2005 Explorer Trans Shifting Problem by red05exbauer

Jun 14, 2005 (8:07 pm)

My new (400 miles) Explorer, to me has a funny shifting problem. When I slow down below 20 mph and then accelerate, there is a short delay, then the engine revs up and then the tranny kicks in with a jerk. Is this normal? Me dealer seems to think so.

#3813 of 6385 Re: 2005 Explorer Trans Shifting Problem [red05exbauer] by chuck1

Jun 14, 2005 (8:13 pm)

Replying to: red05exbauer (Jun 14, 2005 8:07 pm)
Tell him to check the transmisson solenoid. They are a widespread problem!

#3814 of 6385 Re: Explorer fun [electricdesign] by shera1

Jun 15, 2005 (7:08 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (Jun 14, 2005 7:38 pm)
I have a V6 4.0 SOHC. Sounds like good advice. Apparently, I still have the factory installed plugs in. After 111K miles, I am very impressed that they are in such great shape. MotorCraft platinum. Anyway, I will try your suggestion and see if it works. Thanks.

#3815 of 6385 2006 Explorer Pictures by fordexp1

Jun 15, 2005 (8:33 am)

check out the new explorer, personally i dont like it? front end loooks like crap.">link title
 
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102311

#3816 of 6385 Re: 2006 Explorer Pictures [fordexp1] by chuck1

Jun 15, 2005 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: fordexp1 (Jun 15, 2005 8:33 am)
It look like they are trying to "round out the vehicle". You know, if Ford came up with some better designs, people would buy their cars. Or maybe I am wrong, they took a 30 year old design (the Mustang) and brought it back...and the Mustang is the only thing selling in their entire line. GO FIGURE!!!

#3817 of 6385 Re: 2005 Ford Explorer, crappy gas mileage?? [chuck1] by explorerx4

Jun 15, 2005 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jun 14, 2005 4:15 pm)
all i can tell you is that i am a very consistent about keeping track of gas mileage in my vehicles. maybe you think i'm ocd, but i have been like this since i grew up with the early '70's gas crisis.
one thing that i have figured out is that tire pressures are very important. it can do 2 things for you, get you better mileage and make the tires last longer.
just to be clear, i don't always get 20 mpg's on a trip, but i have done it several times trying to maintain 80 mph. usually i am running the rear a/c too. i do know that you can get about an extra mpg by setting the front tires to a pressure slightly over the number listed on your door sticker.

Messages Page 382 of 639

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