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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#6193 of 6385 01 Explorer dying by bludragon817

Jun 29, 2009 (6:58 pm)

Hi all! New here. Got a couple things. 2001 Ford Explorer SOHC 4.0 V-6. 55K. Owned 1 1/2 yrs. One minor problem that we can live with (#1), and one that we can't (#2). We love the vehicle...we just don't want to die in it....or kill someone else because of it....
 
1) Lift gate won't open & door ajar light on all of the time. Checked the latches (when I still could open it), one is sticking a little but doesn't seem to be causing the problem. Have oiled it and still doesn't help. But I seen something earlier in the forum saying something about a crack under the window?!? Where exactly? What can be done about this?
 
2) Stalling. Highway or city. Short trip (15 minutes) or long trip (an hour). Anytime. Last summer it started. Live in Kansas...HOT summers. 90-100 degrees F. Took to 2 shops (one a Ford dealer). No coding out of the check engine light. No one could recreate it, therefore not tell us what is wrong. Got a whole tune-up and replacement of fuel filter, fuel lines & pump checked. All ok. Still did it. Googled stalling problems for Explorers and heard of the IAC valve. Replaced that about end of August 08. This spring it started again. Replaced the IAC again. A few people mentioned vapor lock. So we put "Heet" (water remover for the gas tank) in the tank. Still did it after that. And other sites are saying that it is very rare in a fuel injected car nowadays to get vapor lock...An earlier post said "intake gaskets". Is that a real possibility? How easy to fix yourself? Or is it really a job for ASE Mechanics?
 
Thank you!

#6194 of 6385 Check Engine On Intermittently / Passed Emmisions / O2 sensor by dodgekbad

Jun 30, 2009 (9:28 am)

I have a Check Engine light that comes on and off for months now on my '98 Explorer (V6 SOHC w/ 127k miles).
 
It's been off for I guess the past 50 miles. On Saturday I went to get an inspection which includes emmissions and passed. Sure enough it came right back on again the next day.
 
Along the way, I went to Autozone a couple of times while the light was actually ON, and it read O2 sensor downstream.
 
I don't know what to make of all this. It passed the emmissions test so could it be the Autozone scan thing is baloney?

#6195 of 6385 transmission issue? also, oversteer by rphelan

Jul 10, 2009 (9:09 am)

2003 Explorer bigger V6, 86k miles.
 
for a few months now, we've noticed that there's a rattling noise coming from the engine area when we are stopped and in drive. The noise stops when we shift to neutral or park... but resumes when we move the gear back to drive...
 
also, something that just developed is severe oversteer (I guess that's the appropriate word). At speeds above 45mph, if we just move the steering wheel a little left or right, it feels like the truck will go out of control.
 
it's at the dealer right now ( we have 100k warranty).. but they're saying they're not hearing the rattling noise - i'll have to make sure they do b/c if it's the tranny, they need to replace it.

#6196 of 6385 Re: Check Engine On Intermittently / Passed Emmisions / O2 sensor [dodgekbad] by electricdesign

Jul 12, 2009 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: dodgekbad (Jun 30, 2009 9:28 am)
The autozone machine simply reads what your computer says. Your computer is the baloney.

#6197 of 6385 Re: transmission issue? also, oversteer [rphelan] by electricdesign

Jul 12, 2009 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: rphelan (Jul 10, 2009 9:09 am)
#1 - I assume the rattle goes away or lessens as you drive down the road. Does it sound like tin rattling? If so, there is a loose part that is vibrating, most likely a loose heat shield somewhere on the exhaust system. Loose heat shields on the cat converters are common. You can get them spot welded back on at any muffler shop, or you can tightly tie a stiff wire around the part to keep it from rattling (coat hanger wire is good for this, but the welding is a much better and permanent repair).
 
#2 - The steering problem sounds dangerous, any front end shop or alignment shop should be able to figure out what the problem is. It could be ball joints, bushings or steering components. You did not mention if it is 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive.

#6198 of 6385 o/d light blinking by dgivhan

Jul 15, 2009 (9:39 am)

My ford explorer runs great however the o/d light keeps blinking off and on....it blinks o/d off
 
 ..

#6200 of 6385 Thanks for All the Help by bioman

Jul 18, 2009 (5:23 am)

For 9.5 years I have been a regular participant in this discussion group. Next week we will be picking up our new Prius and our 99 Explorer will be moving to another family. Thanks for the all the input that made me a better shade tree mechanic for my Explorer. After an initial rocky start the Explorer became a very reliable, family workhorse. It is in great shape so I have no problem selling it to a neighbor. It certainly does not qualify for the new Clunker Program.
 
Take care,
 
Bioman

#6201 of 6385 remove shock bolt by baudiom

Jul 19, 2009 (9:54 am)

trying to pull the rear shock on a rusted 96 explorer. Used a bit pf PB blaster and went at the bottom bolt. The nut sheered off like the bolt was made of butter. Now the bolt turns in place but I cant get it out. Have tried a small jack between the frame and axel to relieve the pressure, Pounding the bolt thru with a smaller bolt and hammer, I cant even get a screwdriver blade under the bolt head to pry it out. what shall I try next??
 
Baudiom

#6202 of 6385 Re: 98 Ford Explorer [ford06cvpi] by carein4

Jul 20, 2009 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: ford06cvpi (Mar 26, 2009 5:27 pm)
I am having the exact same issue...did this work for you? thx...
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