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I'm having problems with a leaky manifold gasket.
My mechanic has stated that this seems to be a common problem and that there might be a recall. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, did you contact ford and what was their response? Thanks
Samueltm
Check the website www.alldata.com for TSB's and recall info on your vehicle.
Good luck.
1. Brake lights. Recently my brake lights went out twice. The first time, replacing all the tail lights worked. Now, pfft. Still no brake lights even though the tail lights, signal lights and reverse lights all work. Fuses checkout ok. I suspect it could be a sensor from my brake pedals? (Or, gulp, worse?)
2. ABS. The light comes on occasionally. It will go off if I turn off the ignition and restart. Dealers say there is no problem! Also, in slow speed/tight turns (e.g., into a parking space), what feels like the ABS pulsating can be felt. It's unnverving but controllable. Any ideas?
Aside from these issues and the usual frequent brake/rotor services, the 94 Explorer XLT runs great. I am the original owner. Thanks.
"I own a 98 Explorer XLT SOHC V-6 2WD Loaded
including leather and moonroof. It is pretty
obvious to me that the overwhelming problem is not
the vehicle, it is the service departments that
most of you have. There are some flaws in design of
this vehicle. I have done a lot of research on
these problems and a lot of this info comes form my
service writer, the best I have dealt with.
Engine:
91-current Explorers use a 4.0 OHV (overhead
valve) V-6. It was the sole V-6 engine until 97
when the SOHC (single overhead cam) version
arrived. They are the same engine only the SOHC
uses different heads. They are based on the old 2.9
V-6 used in the Ford Ranger from 86-92. They are
built in Cologne, Germany and are a very good
design. Both engines are still offered, the OHV is
on low-line XLS, XL models from 97-current. XLT and
above gets the SOHC or the 5.0 V-8 (96-current).
Problems with the OHV are most commonly dieseling
sounds. Most of the time this is due to "piston
slap". The pistons slap on the insides of the
piston skirts. It can be caused by a simple
manufacturing defect in a wrist pin/connecting rod
of very little tolerance. Piston slap is very rare
and engine failure due to it is extremely rare. It
normally will not damage the engine any more than
everyday use. It is more annoying than anything.
Overall this is an extrememly reliable engine and
is good for more than 200K of service or more
without incident. Early models also had EGR
problems if equipped with an EGR valve.
Problems with the SOHC are stalling, vibrations
while turning and knocking sounds on startup or
hard acceleration. Stalling can be due to a bad
program in the ECC (engine control computer) or a
warped intake manifold/bad intake gasket. It can
also be caused by fuel with high alcohol content or
a loose gas cap. The ECC can be reflashed with an
updated program, the intake is usually solved with
a new gasket and sometimes a new intake manifold.
The manifold leak causes a vacuum leak in the
cylinders causing it to stall. Try different brands
of gas and always tighten the gas cap. Especially
the twist and click type. Vibrations while turning
are caused by the power steering hose/exhaust
vibrating under steering pump load on the engine.
There is an update for the hoses and an exhaust
bracket that makes those noises completely
disappear and makes the steering smooth as silk.
The knocking noise is the timing chain tensioners,
specifically the tensioners. The original design
had the tensioners mounted to the engine block with
nylon anchors. They would break and cause the
timing chain to rattle against the timing covers.
After several redesigns, they have finally made
them steel and should solve the problem without
further incident. This noise usually starts around
20K and worsens. It normally will not cause any
engine damage but is not good for the engine
either. I've had all three of these problems with
my 98 and all three are fixed for good. It is
smooth as silk.
Other problems are phantom wipers, premature
transmission failure, premature rotor warpage, rear
wiper failure and rear suspension noises.
Phanotm wipers is caused by a defective
multi-function switch. Some corrode and some were
bad from the supplier. It makes the wipers activate
themselves when turning the signals on or making
turns. It has been updated and should not cause any
more problems once replaced. 97 and newer
Explorers have speed dependent intermittent wipers.
The faster you drive the faster the intermittent
wipers wipe (the shorter the intervals). This is a
conveniece and can be turned off (see owners
manual) don't confuse it with phantom wipers.
Premature transmission failure is most often a
result of lack of maintenance. The tranny should be
serviced every 15-30K miles depending on towing,
driving habits, etc. I think the owners manual is
far to lax on freqency of this service. I think it
says 50K. I do mine every 15K, I tow a lot and do a
lot of city driving.
REar wiper failure is a lot of times due to the
rear wiper getting stuck in it's holder on the
hatch. Try turning it on and freeing it by hand (be
careful). I've done this a couple of times and it
has never failed since. The holder is a little
tight and needs to be loosened up. It helps to use
it more often too.
Rotor warpage is present on almost all newer
vehicles and is mostly due to driving habits. The
brakes get hot and something as simple as driving
through a mud puddle or a car wash quick cools the
rotors and they will warp. The tires and suspension
on Explorers help amplify the problem. Just living
with it seems to be the best. Mine are slightly
warped on both my F-150 and my Explorer and it
comes and goes with weather and brake usage. Don't
ride the brakes, brake hard, and do your best not
to get hot brakes too wet. Also, air wrenches can
warp rotors too. Always request hand torquing of
lug nuts whe you have service performed.
There is an update on the rear suspension bushings
that will solve the bed spring sound some of you
have.
that's about all I know about the Explorer. when I
get time I will dig out my invoices and post part
numbers and any others TSB numbers I have. I do not
work for a dealer but I am lucky enough to have a
good service department. Ford has designed many
updates to parts and worked to correct some of
these problems. I think that many of you aren't
hearing of them for some reason. My Explorer has
had almost every problem I mentioned except for the
tranny problem. All of this was fixed in one trip
and four days sooner than projected. Ford sells
almost half a million of these a year. Most folks I
know haven't had any problems with Explorers but
for as many as they build there are bound to be
some problems (many times supplier problems not
Ford). Sometimes it's common sense problems (rotor
warpage) that folks aren't aware of. I love mine. I
drive the hell out of it and the great service
department has made the problems seem minor. I hope
this info helps. Take it to the dealer with you. I
will post part/TSB numbers ASAP. Good luck."
Here are the updates:
The rear suspension noises are fixed with a new rear sway bar assembly. It is an updated version so it should be a TSB in Fords Oasis computer.
The stalling problem reappeared on my Explorer. The official fix is the fuel pump assembly experiencing cavitation on turns (it sucks air for a second) losing fuel pressure, hence, the stall. There is a new fuel pump assembly that solves the problem. Mine goes in next week for this and I will update how it performs.
Again, if you have any questions please email me a seacrow@hotmail.com I may be able to find out some info from my excellent dealer for you if it is not listed above. I feel Explorers are excellent vehicles and that many of you are getting the bone from some of the not-so-great dealers. Good Luck!
Having said all that, I believe tha handling characteristics of the Wilderness AT may have contributed to at least some of the acccidents. I say that because I 've just recently gotten rid of the ones on my '98' and put of Michelin LTX's. What a difference--it feels like a different vehicle;much better handling and steering response. The AT's felt tippy at highway speeds when turning--as if there just wasn't enough rubber on the road.
I agree with your comments about all-terrain tires in general being driven at highway speeds and wonder why Ford would have put these type of tires on the vehicle when most will never be taken off road.
Sept 8 issue of the NY Times about the Ford-Firestone Tire fiasco. Decide for yourself if Ford and Firestone are hiding anything from us!
www.nytimes.com/2000/09/08/business/08SAFE.html
Why other makes have tire blowouts but they don't roll? Are there design flows that we will be told about in the few years? Firestone had tire problems, but even Highway safety is tracking them to the batches that were produced during the strike at Decator. But that production was used on the certain model year (part of it) what about the other years? Is is the blown tire that causes roll, or the vehicle design causes tire to blow? Chicken or the egg?
Has anyone else had this problem or better yet, can someone tell me if this is a major fix?
As far as the ABS light...my brake fluid was low, and I added some fluid...light doesn't come on any more.
-Tom
favor. Don't buy any ford product used or new.
I've made my +$31K mistake last August by
purchasing a left over 99 loaded XLT which has the
SOHC V6. The Truck had problems from day 1, engine
oil leak (ford replaced the engine with a new one)
suspension noise, recalls, terrible service from
both the dealership and from ford motor company.
fords customer services is the worst I've ever
experienced. Now I have the SOHC V6 timing chain
noise and have already gone through the latest tsb, which was suppose to repair the problem, (it did not). ford wants to replace the engine again I
refused and decided to get a lawyer instead and
take legal action. After my experience with the
ford motor company you couldn't give a ford for
free it just not worth the aggravation. ford gives
the words P.O.S. a whole new meaning.
We are waiting on word from the dealership as to what Ford is going to do or help out with since the vehicle is now out of warranty. Any words of wisdom on how we can overcome such an adverse situation would be appreciated.
I'm new to this site but have spent all afternoon reading posts on various boards.
I am in the market for a new SUV, in Southern California, and I want to get some preliminary info before I go in for test drives & negotiations. Besides the mid-range Explorer and Montero Sport 4WD trims, I'm also going to be looking at the 4Runner (although it's almost certainly more expensive than I'm looking too spend) and the Honda Passport (although I'm not too excited by the whole Isuzu / Honda situation).
I will mostly be driving city, but plan to do some off-roading and I do go camping and stuff. I am a little concerned with some of the transmissions stories here and just want to get some additional information.
Have any of you had experience comparing the Montero Sport 4WD to the Explorer? Have advice on specific things to look for / test out on the test drives? What are the worst problems facing the Explorer (besides the transmission)?. For anyone that lives in the LA area, were there any problems with maintenance or service or customer service at any of the dealerships?
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks! (I also posted to the Mitsubishi board to get some additional feedback).
My Background: My sister has a 95 Explorer base model (XS?) which I have driven a lot and I used to have a 1990 Mitsu Gallant. Neither vehicle has had any service problems to date. With the Explorer, I've never been off-roading, but I did notice that the ride got kinda bumpy simply driving on an unpaved street, but I still like it a lot (she has the leather seats, fender flares and side steps). One thing I did like a lot was the AC in the Ford.
Also lokk at Motor Trend Magazine (I think they also have Truck Trend Magazine, which critiques all of the 4x4's.
I'd also hold off a purchase to see what else shakes out of this Firestone (Deathstone) fiasco.
Don't give up on the Explorer yet. It's easy to read posts from forums like this and be terrified of the vehicle. remember, there are hundreds of thousands of happy Explorer owners out there that don't have the kind of mechanical problems you read about in these forums. as with anything, people with negative opinions are the most vocal. I have a '97 XLT with the SOHC v-6 and have had virutally zero problems. just keep everything in perspective! -eagle
code 2WH.Not the ones listed but I took it to
a Firestone dealer for inspection.I have very
noticeable sidewall cracks at 29k miles.The inspector said don't worry about it and if it
gets worse they will prorate replacements.
Does anybody out there have cracks? Also several
posts mention Michelin LTX tires as improving
the ride and handling,is this true?
Anyway, all of the programs I have seen on the firestones say that the problem begins with a small crack on the tire just where the sidewall meets the tread. Sounds like you may have a problem developing. I can tell you that a set of Michelin LTX tires will improve the explorer experience tremendously and are well worth the premium. If I were you I would invest in the Michelins and try to battle with firestone later. It could be a life and death $500 dollar decision.
All things considered, I have no regrets; the vehicle handles much better especially on dry pavement. I now have confidence in the vehicle knowing that as long as I don't do something stupid, I'll probably get from point A to point B in one piece.
The dealership is waiting to hear from Ford as to what portion Ford is going to be willing to cover. Hopefully they will feel some responsibility, and willingness to help. The dealership says an entire new engine is $4000.00. Any words of wisdom out there as to how we can get Ford to step up to the plate and cover these damages? We bought the vehicle from a Ford Dealership used w/32,000 miles. We have always maintained the vehicle and changed the oil every 3000 miles.
Remember that u depend on those tires for your life.. life is more important than any company's profit margin.
Good Luck. Dont get taken for a ride!
According to my Ford dealer (Dayton Ford, Dayton NJ), they won't hook a truck up to diagnostics until 3000 miles. Fuel mileage is horrible. I don't remember getting this poor of mileage on my old truck, and that had the "big" 6 banger.
Any thoughts?
Its probably the short trips that is killing your mileage. The engine barely gets up to operating temp, and then you shut it off.
I would try Mobil regular unleaded (87) and see if it improves... but be a little patient. I am sure it will get better.
Please double check the user manual.
Good luck.
Also, higher octane could possibly harm the engine, as it gets hotter (it burns more completely) than 87. With an aluninum block, it is best to stay within the mfgr recommendation, unless it knocks or pings when you drive.
Good luck