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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 66 of 639

#645 of 6385 Older Explorers by lrmet

Mar 25, 2001 (12:16 pm)

In response to the Buying an Older Explorer question -
I'm driving a 1991 currenlty has 135K miles on it. I'm looking at new vehicles now, but I'm going to move up to a bigger vehicle since I tow a boat in the summer. Up in Minnesota we like to haul boats around from lake to lake, and the Explorer has done it for me for 10 years. I bought it used with 14K miles in 1992, Ford Executive vehicle, whatever that means. It's an XLT with Automatic. Automatic is recommended for towing, if you get a manual tranny it really cuts down on the towing capacity.
To give you an idea of my maintenance - New shocks (Do this if you haven't yet >100K miles - got some $30 gas charged at Fleet Farm supply and worth it), Tranny was rebuilt at 80K, heavy duty torque converter added, tranny fluid and filter twice since rebuild(comes out to every 40K), changed coolant every 30K, oil 4 times a year, just bought/installed a new alternator (pep boys $120). There's the spot of rust that every Explorer gets under the drivers side passenger door (they now cover that up with a plastic molding), and a little rust under the lift gate. The 4X4 front hubs have been troublesome. Back in 1995 they were making a rattling noise. Brought it to Ford where they overhauled them. There was a recall on some of the parts, some parts were covered, some I had to pay for. It's my everyday commuter vehicle. I like that it's paid off and no payment!

#646 of 6385 Excellent Older Explorers Maintenance web page by lrmet

Mar 25, 2001 (12:21 pm)

This is an excellent resource for maintaining your Exploreer. I use it as much as my Haynes manual and it's usually better. Lots of opinions and who did what to fix problems.
http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/exp.html

#647 of 6385 Front End Noise by swn1

Mar 26, 2001 (9:55 am)

I had a similar problem on my '99 Junk Explorer XLT only in the rear. Shop foreman replaced sway bar links, twice to fix. He said there was also a TSB for the front sway bar links on some vehicles. Have your dealer check it out.

#648 of 6385 Rusty Bumpers by swn1

Mar 26, 2001 (10:11 am)

It didn't take long for more of that FORD "special quality" to show through. When trying to track down on of the many rattles in my '99 XLT Explorer I happened to look at the inside of the rear bumper and saw a nice even coating of rust has already formed. When I asked the shop foreman about it he said that FORD has not painted the inside of bumpers for some time. When I asked him why my '91 Explorer doesn't have this same built in "quality" he didn't know but said I could look at any vehicle on the lot and will see the same thing. I also noticed when I popped the tailgate window, the supports and mounting brackets attached to the glass are so rusty and pitted it's a disgrace. Just thought I'd give you all something else to look for and see that most of the money we wasted on this junk went right into FORD's pocket. How else could they give their stockholders over a BILLION dollars last summer and employees an average $8,700 bonus this year.

#649 of 6385 starting problems on 95 explorer by tm32

Mar 27, 2001 (3:14 pm)

new to this forum and after reading all of the posting I have seen my problem mentioned but no fixes. I have a 95 explorer that has just lately started having a problem. When I try to start it, it turns over but will not start. I have taken it to the dealer and was told they didn't know what was wrong because it wouldn't do it for them. It started out only doing it every few weeks and then would start after waiting from 30 minutes to an hour. It has now got to the point where it is not starting every few times I try it and I am having to wait longer periods of time for it to decided to start. I was able to determine today that it is not getting a spark, so I don't think it is a problem with the fuel.
It will be going back to the shop tomorrow and hopefully it will not start for them and we can figure out what the problem is. It is now a question of keeping the car or trading it in on something else if they can not find out what the problem is, it has left me stranded to many times.
If anyone has any advice for me to take to the dealer I would greatly appreciate it.
will be checking back on this forum or you may email me anytime at morganruralcomm.com

#650 of 6385 Tm32: Starting problems by jrc346

Mar 27, 2001 (9:40 pm)

I dont know if this will solve your problem with hard starting but I have a book in front of me that says hard starting or long crank times may be caused by the Idle air control valve sticking. It says this for 1996 explorers but it could also affect your 95. I have a 1996 explorer and have not had any problems but the drivers door power lock went out. I think ill just buy a new lock silnoid and fix it myself. Otherwise pleased with my explorer. Good luck with the starting problem.

#651 of 6385 tm32 by mazman1

Mar 28, 2001 (6:16 am)

Why not leave the vehicle overnight with the dealer and have them try to start it first thing the next morning.
The symptoms you describe can also be caused by water freezing in the fuel line. It can also be caused by some solid matter clogging the hose. Have you tried a drygas product? What about flushing the tank?

#652 of 6385 starting problems fixed by tm32

Mar 29, 2001 (3:28 pm)

first, thanks for replying to my first message.
Hopeful we have the problem fixed, I was able to duplicate the truck not starting for the dealer and he found the answer right away. It was the fuel pump relay switch. Replaced it so hopefully I will not be having anymore trouble.

#653 of 6385 Engine or Transmission Noises - 99 Eddie Bauer by eddiebauer1

Apr 01, 2001 (9:04 pm)

Help please. Have 4.0 SOHC V6 Engine with 5 speed automatic transmission - 4 wheel drive. Noisy groan on acceleration since I can remember. Transmission was "rebuild" at 40,000 for burnt clutches. Now have whistling noise on acceleration from either transmission or engine. Vehicle has 50,000 miles with 25,000 left on Extended Warranty.

#654 of 6385 what's wrong with 1999 explorers by smdumont

Apr 04, 2001 (9:41 am)

I am in the market to buy my first SUV. For years the Ford Explorer has been rated one of the best values for your money. Consumer Reports has recommended Exporers for years, except for the 1999 model. It is on their "unreliable used cars" list. Does anyone know why? I'm not sure if I should shop for a '98 or 2000 model instead or maybe another SUV all together. Any advice would be appreciated.

Messages Page 66 of 639

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