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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

3348 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, SUV

Messages Page 250 of 336

#2483 of 3348 Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer by daryll44

May 17, 2005 (4:19 am)

I have an '03 Mountaineer Premier with the V8 AWD that is approaching the end of the factory warranty now at 35,000 miles and 32 months on the road. This has been a very good vehicle so far, with the only "defect" being the rear window hinges that were finally recalled and now seem fine. Oh, and the wafer thin so-called "leather" is wrinkling on the outside driver's seat pretty badly.
 
I did purchase an extended warranty when I bot the vehicle from WARRANTYDIRECT.COM. I've had 2 other vehicles covered by them and they paid without any problem and the coverage was better than the FORD ESP at a better price too.
 
Anyway, I am wondering about the transmission, especially around here in Pittsburgh (up and down STEEP hills all day). It's just not clear if it should be flushed. The maintenance schedule doesn't address it. And it's not clear who can REALLY do it and do it right. My dealer seemed to shy away from it..."not recommended". What do you guys think? 35000 miles is still young but compared to the 1999 Explorer it replaced, the initial 3 years has been MUCH improved and I hope a harbinger of what is to come.
 
Also, will Ford replace the "leather" (vinyl?) on my wrinkled driver's seat? Or will it be a fight. It's not "terrible" (yet), but seems more worn than it should be.

#2484 of 3348 Re: A/C Chirp in Mountaineer w/V-8 [electricdesign] by mtnman1

May 17, 2005 (6:43 am)

Replying to: electricdesign (May 16, 2005 7:07 pm)
I was looking carefully at the invoices I have from the service performed. I thought they had replaced the compressor, but actually they Replaced the clutch hub face and Clutch Plate. The second time they adjusted the Clutch Gap to .016. A few weeks ago a Regional Customer Service Rep came up from Cincinnati to meet with me. Of course, when he was listening to it it would only make a "click" as you call it. The next day it was in the 80's and it was very loud and bugging the hell out of me. I also found a paper that I'd forgotten about, that was listed as a "Special Sevice Messages" from Ford. It stated that some 2002-2005 Mountaineers equipped with a 4.6L Engine may exhibit a chirp from the engine compartment when the A/C compressor is cycling. At that time there was no fix, but engineering was working on it.

#2485 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [daryll44] by mtnman1

May 17, 2005 (6:47 am)

Replying to: daryll44 (May 17, 2005 4:19 am)
I believe that these transmissions do not require flushing. I imagine the dealer would do it if you wanted it done for peace of mind. I know how the hills are in Pittsburgh since I lived there for 11 years and my family still does. So I don't blame you for your concern, but I would think your greatest concern would be Brakes. Unless you are down shifting your automatic transmission a lot.

#2486 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [mtnman1] by daryll44

May 17, 2005 (6:51 am)

Replying to: mtnman1 (May 17, 2005 6:47 am)
Brakes and tires are ALWAYS an issue in Pittsburgh with ANY vehicle. I go thru front brake pads in about 20,000 miles and tires in 30,000 miles here and THAT'S GOOD. People from the flatlands just don't get it.
 
I still think the tranny outta be flushed, but I guess I am afraid they will be inexperienced and will do more harm than good.

#2487 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [daryll44] by chuck1

May 17, 2005 (8:41 am)

Replying to: daryll44 (May 17, 2005 4:19 am)
"Also, will Ford replace the "leather" (vinyl?) on my wrinkled driver's seat? Or will it be a fight. It's not "terrible" (yet), but seems more worn than it should be."
 
Yes, you are right. The leather on these seats is PURE JUNK. Way too thin. I have heard Ford has taken a "hard stance" on not replacing any more of those seat bottoms. BTW, there is one thing to keep in mind. If they did replace it, the dye lots are different and WILL NOT MATCH. If you are going to keep this vehicle, you are better off just to wait until it rips totally, and then take it to a good aftermarket craftsman and have him redo both seats up front.

#2488 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [chuck1] by daryll44

May 17, 2005 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (May 17, 2005 8:41 am)
Well, if Ford won't fix it, I guess I'll probably just live with it until it starts to actually tear open. By then the vehicle won't be "newish" anymore anyway, so I'll just duct tape it and buy a cheap seat cover to cover it then keep on truckin'.

#2489 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [daryll44] by electricdesign

May 17, 2005 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: daryll44 (May 17, 2005 12:53 pm)
I'll tell you how I "fixed" my leather seat. I bought one of those slip-on seat covers right after I bought the car. I put it on the drivers seat, as it is the one that gets the most wear. That will "cure" the seat from wearing out. When I am ready to sell it, I pull the seat cover off, and Walaah! the seat still looks good. It helps the resale a lot. That is what I did with my last vehicle.
E.D.

#2490 of 3348 Re: Good Report On My '03 Mountaineeer [electricdesign] by chuck1

May 17, 2005 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (May 17, 2005 5:49 pm)
S0- you pay extra to have leather---but put some cheap seat cover on and not enjoy what you paid for? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

#2491 of 3348 Ex-foliating Leather.... by ANT14

May 17, 2005 (7:04 pm)

Just to chime in on that, sometimes people will end up with leather (or another option on their car they didn't care for), because either A) great rebate on it B) Only one on the lot they were able to have C) Just happened that their favorite exterior color, HAPPEN to have leather interior, etc. And in my case, it's been standard on a few vehicles I've bought.
 
I myself dislike leather and will put a seat cover within 15 minutes after buying a vehicle only because in FL, it's NOT the best feeling sitting in hot leather with shorts on. The only leather I own happens to be on leather harnesses and chaps, and that's about it.

#2492 of 3348 Re: Ex-foliating Leather.... [ANT14] by chuck1

May 17, 2005 (10:11 pm)

Replying to: ANT14 (May 17, 2005 7:04 pm)
Depending on the vehicle.... leather can be an option priced from $1,5000.00 to $3,000.00 plus- dollars. There would be NO WAY I would pay for it if I didn't want it. I am in Southern Calif.-it gets hot here too! My wife's '02 Explorer leather isn't wearing well either. I looked on the sticker,I paid $1,500.00 for that (CHEAP) leather!

Messages Page 250 of 336

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