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Comments
repairs (if you want to call it that) was replace water pump at 89,000 and a new lower intake
manifold gasket at 83,000. Only other repairs were normal fluids changes and wear and tear
items (brakes, tires, shocks), The original tires lasted 83,000 miles. Transmission has only had
fluid and filter changes every 20,000 miles. I'm sure that helps. At one time I was putting
6 to 7 hundred miles per week on it. Never failed me. Never let me down. Maybe I'm just lucky.
Plan on purchasing another when this one wears out.
After a lot of argument with Dayton Ford and the regional "customer service" rep, I got helped on a trade this summer. Unfortunately, I was not in the best financial situation at the time, and the dealer said I could only pick from what he had on the lot. I walked out onto the lot and had my eye on a blue 2000 XLS. Got in it to test drive, the thing was dead. So I now own a 2000 XLS - Red. Got it in July, had the serpentine belt and steering pump replaced (were bad from Day 1) and so far so good since. Also have replaced the stock radio with an Alpine system (head unit and 4 speakers) and replaced the tires with Michelin Cross Terrain tires. I highly recommend these tires, they are smooth, and traction in the snow and ice we had last weekend was no different than the Wilderness ATs.
and i wanted to know if anyone has had any
problems major or small
ace
Got my new Explorer last week and have a couple of questions. Material I received stated that tire pressure should be kept at 26. I recall reading somewhere that Ford recommended a tire pressure of 30. Anybody else hear that. Also stated was use of unleaded (duh) 87 octane. Now, my 92 Explorer had nothing but premium and I never had any engine issues after 110K when I traded it in on the new one. Comments?????
Many Thanks
Sandy
as for octane rating... your truck is designed to run on the manufacturer's recommended fuel. now, coming from ford, i realize that doesn't mean much, but unless the engine has high compression (which yours doesn't) it shouldn't need high octane fuel. put it this way, (and this should scare anyone who uses too high a grade of fuel for any car) over those 110K miles of (luckily) trouble free motoring, you spent $1,500 to $2,000 on unnecessary fuel costs! that difference would have more than made up the bath that explorer owners are taking on resale values currently.
just my thoughts,
ace
But, I have: replaced the transmission once, at 88K; replaced the radiator and water pump; replaced the rotors many times; had several electrical problems that were never truly resolved; had two blown head gaskets and cracked heads replaced; the antilock and parking brake warning lights on the dash are constantly on, due to locking up my brakes one time 4 years ago; replaced my Firestones.
I have noticed that Ford does not have their act together too well on parts. There are parts I have gone to buy that were not even listed, and then were found under different part numbers and descriptions. Their employees at dealerships are not very good.
However, I love the roominess of the vehicle, and the punch of my V-6. At this point, it is worth nothing to anyone but me and I plan to drive it into the ground, but overall I would say that my next vehicle will be a 4Runner, as I like their durability.
Does anyone know of a quick fix for the antilock/parking brake light problem?
Broth
I'm lookin at a 91 Explorer and thinking of buying it. It's in excellent shape- inside and out and completely rust free. The problem is it has 140,000 miles on it and they do not know if it has the original eng and tranny in it. It's at a used car lot- bought at a auction in PA. Could anyone here tell me realistically how many miles the Explorers eng. and tranny usually last? I know nothing about Fords- never owned one. We've had Blazers and Jimmys the last few years, but their engines have become so poor, that I'm looking at others now. I would love a Pathfinder, but they are hard to find used and in the low thousands!
I've checked Consumer Reports and am aware of it's pluses and minuses.They are very accurate regarding the paint, rusting and durability. The 91 is in mint condition externally. Well I'd appreciate any imput. My Email is silkakc@aol.com
Thanks, Lori
I'm inclined to give Ford the edge and haven't ride in the '02 Explorer yet. Looking forward to it. Must admit however, that Tahoe AS test drive was certainly nice last weekend. Let's hear it folks............
After 6 months, I'm very satisfied and would highly recommend the vehicle to prospective purchasers, though you would be CRAZY not to get an extended warranty after reading about all the engine rebuilds, etc. Think of it as pre-paid insurance.
Also, you should know that all SUVs get very bad gas mileage, much worse than most cars, so consider getting a new Escape if your drive a lot and don't need the power.
With that in mind, I do note the following problems:
(1) possible coolant leak (see prior posting re: extension of warranty on gasket);
(2) non-functional A/C (probably needs freon);
(3) cold stall after initial a.m. start -- but only under 30 degrees in the mountains (also discussed above - possibly fuel pump related or frozen gas line);
(4) poor city gas mileage (thermostat replacement?).
I will report back on these problems after visiting the dealer.
I have a 2000 Ford Explorer Limited V-8 AWD completely loaded to the gills and I have been experiencing a few weird problems that I wanted to post on this board.
First: My rear windshield wiper will intermittently not work (especially when there is heavy rain). Sometimes when it's raining hard and I start the vehicle and attempt to engage the rear wiper, it doesn't work! I can push the knob in and hear the wiper washer fluid motor running, but the wiper will stay in place. I have had the dealer check this out twice but to no avail, they couldn't duplicate the problem. Sometimes after I shut off the vehicle and restart it, the wiper will work, but not all of the time. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Second: I have the 3-in-1 stereo unit (CD in dash, cassette and radio) with the changer as well and after about 2 hours of continuous play on the in dash CD, you can actually smell the CD burning (or some other internal mechanism) and eventually the unit will kick out the CD and the display will read, "CD TOO HOT." I am on my second radio concerning this problem. Ford replaced the first unit with a new one that still has the same problem? This usually happens whenever I am making a long road trip (like this past weekend)? The smell kind of resembles the smell that you get when you are ironing your clothing? The CD is VERY hot to the touch whenever this occurs as well!
Additionally, when I was making my return trip on Saturday, I loaded up the CD changer to use instead of the in dash unit. Well, after about 2 hours down the road, I decided to put a single CD in the in dash play and guess what? The display read, "CD TOO HOT?" I couldn't quite figure that one out because I started the car on a cold Michigan morning and started driving back to Ohio using the CD Changer.. not using the in dash unit, so WHY would it show that the CD was still too hot when there wasn't anything in there?
I didn't drive the truck at all yesterday (Sunday) and today while driving it in to work, I noticed that the single CD would play the CD's again?
I hope that you guys can help me.. I like my Explorer a lot, but these two non-traceable problems are really beginning to bug me. HELP!
Thanks!
IExplore2000@aol.com
The wiper problem has something to do with the GEM module... The computer that controls the interior lights works off the same system and that is probably malfunctioning as well.. and you thought that the lights were controlled by a simple pressure switch in the doors???... no.. Ford has complicated it too much.
The CD problem has less to do with the head unit as it has to do with the heater ducts in the dash. If you run cool air thru the system, it will cool down the CD and should work fine.... you know it is a known problem when the radio is even programmed to say "CD too hot".... There is probably a piece of insulation that is missing (and probably was missed at the fectory) behind the head unit allowing the heat (which rises) to enter the radio's space and heats it up.
Good luck.
I had a radio problem that cost about $100 and just recently replaced part of the exhaust system.
Otherwise it has performed very well.
Also, it is not exactly a true statement that the 96 and 99 are identical trucks. The 96 has metal bumpers for starters. The 99 has plastic. The 96 uses more mechanical systems than the 99, which uses a lot of computer controlled systems. I owned a '94 Explorer and that truck was built better than my 2000 quality wise, as well as the engineering design of the 2000, I feel "cheapened" the older truck.. Sure there are some nice new amenities like the auto dimming mirror (Discontinued for 2001), rear air vents, and the CD player, but basically the truck was purchased for utility... I think that the Ford engineers took the older truck , and said, what can we TAKE OUT of it to make it COST us less.... for example .. the use of velcro instead of screws... The use of plastic over metal... the use of two screws instead of 4... the use of plastic snaps instead of screws altogether...
Ford is not the only manufacturer to do this, they all do this to some extent...
As far as the radio is concerned, now that you mentioned it.. the only times that I have ever experienced the "CD TOO HOT" message and burning smell is whenever I have taken long trips while the weather has been cold outside (hence the needed use of the heater controls). I have the fully automatic climate control center in which I ONLY operate it in the AUTOMATIC mode, therefore not having to switch air direct locations. I usually run the unit around 77 or 78 while driving home BUT I think that the air is normally directed towards my feet and maybe the side defroster vents? I guess I am not 100% sure why this would cause my CD to overheat given that I am not using the vents located directly above the CD unit? BUT.. I do know that HEAT RISES so that could also play a big factor.
All in all, if you have any additional information that I could use to take to the dealer again PLEASE let me know. Once again, thanks for your help!
Thanks!
IExplore2000@aol.com
In my 2000 Explorer, I had an Alpine system installed at the local car audio place. I pretty much just shopped around at the places my dealer recommended, and came away with a booming system 4 hours and $598 later (Alpine head unit and speakers). But even if you were not into getting new speakers, the radio/CD player (and Alpine is pretty much top of the line stuff, there are cheaper product lines and more expensive) could have been put in for about $300. An added bonus is that most reputable places will give you the stuff that they take out back. This way when you ever get rid of the vehicle, for a small fee they can put the old stuff back in and give you your premium products.
I am pretty sure the "CD too hot" problem is caused by your heater unit, not the radio... unless you are playing a lot of Toni Braxton...
An aftermarket radio will definitely perform better than the stock Ford radio.. recall that ford puts items like this up for bid, and the contarct goes to the LOWEST bidder.. hence the quality may suffer.
I got an aftermarket radio and speakers rather cheaply from www.crutchfield.com .. they give you all the instructions, tools and modular cables to install it yourself... (and they have a very good return policy if you dont like it)... my Pioneer system cost about $250 with Polk speakers.
Thanks!
IExplore2000@aol.com
give a look to www.nhtsa.gov as well for TSB's
If you have a dealer that is on the ball, they will already know this and there should be no problem... the wiper motor is fine.. the interior light bulbs are fine.. it is the GEM module that is defective.
IF FORD WOULD HAVE DESIGN A GOOD ENGINE IN THE FIRST PLACE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO SAVE MONEY THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS ENGINE WAS DESIGNED IN GERMANY SO IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE DESIGNER IS A COMPLETELY STUPID OR DRUNK ONE.
ANYONE THAT BUYS ONE OF THESE EXPLORERS WITH THE SOHC 4.0 V-6 HAS TO BE OUT OF YOUR MIND. GET THE V-8. FORD KILLED OFF THE GOOD 4.0 OHV V-6 THE REASON WAS THEY LAST TO LONG AND FORD COULD NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY OFF THAT ENGINE SO THEY DESIGNED A ENGINE THAT IS MORE PRONE TO COME APART INTERNALLY SO THEY CAN MAKE SO MONEY. IF YOU DO ON A 4.0 SOHC V-6 YOU SHOULD MAKE FORD BY THEIR JUNK BACK. RECALL NUMBER 00M12 IS FOR THE INTAKE GASKETS AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS PEOPLE THINK DO NOT BUY A FORD EXPLORER WITH THIS ENGINE. THEY SOUND LIKE DIESELS ON START UP DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND THEY HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEMS THAT ARE EXCESSIVE THEY LEAK VACUUM FROM THE INTAKE O-RING GASKETS. THEY HAVE 3 TIMING CHAINS AND 3 CAMS THIS IS A POOR DESIGN EXPLORER STAND UP TO FORD AND LET WHAT YOU THINK BE KNOWN YOU DO NOT WANT FORD TO KEEP PRODUCING THIS ENGINE.
Thanks for your help!
Lookingaround2
I decided if I was going to spend that kind of money I was going top of the line. Researched the Michelin product line and came to the following conclusions. LTX AT is a very harsh tire. The tread is designed for a lot of off road use. The guy at the local ETD Tire store said they are worse on the highway than are Wilderness ATs in terms of noise, but offer better traction all around. The LTX MS offer improved snow and mud traction, but are similar in highway ride to the Wilderness. I was sold on the Michelin Cross Terrains. These tires offer a combination of all terrain and all season tread (the outer and inner treads all terrain with three rows of all season tread between). The ride is quiet, smooth, and comfortable. The ride on uneven pavement is no longer like going over a washboard. Braking and steering are improved. Highway mileage is also up about 1mpg, no change on the varied or city use mileage. Complete set was $529 installed. You may find it cheaper, you may find it more expensive. Bottom line is I have found a product which increases my peace of mind and my Explorer's ride.
Good luck!!
I believe the Michelin LTX MS and Cross Terrains will be available as farctory installed tires on the 2002 Explorer.
Hope this helps.
ace