Hi,

Newbie here. Just wanted to know how the '99 Expeditions are, like problems I should expect, etc. It has 55,000 miles, 5.4 4x4 XLT.

The owner (our Project Manager) told me all of the problems he had, which were few. The back wiper motor replaced, tranny replaced one month after he bought it, and he just took it in last month to find out why his the truck jerks around in reverse. The mechanic said that one of the pumps in the tranny has lower pressure than the other, he said no big deal. They replaced some sensor and it runs fine.

Thanks in advance!

 

Try this thread and the thread contained within or search under head gasket leaks. Consider an extended power train warranty. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=108011

 

Overall these are pretty solid vehicles....except for the aforementioned head gasket problem. Other gripes are sloppy steering (I cleared mine up with a stabilizer), a problem with #4 coil pack (caused by a leaking heater hose) and occasionally a rough idle.

 

I saw the posts about the leaking head gasket. Does it effect anything else or is it just an oil leak from the head? Will the head gaskets fail in any other way, say start leaking into the combustion chamber, losing compression, etc?

Was there ever a definate fix to this problem? It seems like Ford's doing the old "denial" thing, like the TFI modules in earlier models. Saw several posts about replacing the head gasket while the motor is still in the bay, and others saying they're starting to pull them out of the engine bays, which gives the mechanics a better shot of repairing them.

Unfortunately, this Expedition's not leaking yet. Which motors are affected, all of the 5.4 aluminum headed/Iron blocks in the past several years, or this bad batch of heads that they have?


Thanks

 

Personally it sounds like many owners are making a much bigger deal out of the problem than it really is. In following the topic for several years, most owners have to search very hard to discover the leak because it is so small oil never even makes it down to the ground. The 1999's are the most widely affected, but so are 2000's and I think even a few later models. Up until a few years ago, all cars were expected to leak a little oil or tranny fluid, etc.


Ford has admitted a problem, but I'm not really sure how they are handling the situation other than on a case-by-case basis. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

Hmm, that's why I asked the question above. Didn't see any posts that looked like this leak evolved into anything major, except for a small puddle of oil underneath the truck. I'm sure it is discomforting when you purchase a new Expedition that you SHOULD expect quality from a manufacturer. Oh well, i'm easy to please. In the TFI case I always carried an extra TFI module in my mustangs and the special socket to swap it out in case it dies on me rather than spending all of my valuable time at the dealers trying to get it fixed.

Another question, any simple bolt-ons or tricks to improve performace and mileage? I don't think my wife will let me mess with this Ford too much (since this is going to be the family vehicle instead of the Mustang).

Is the tranny an E4OD or something else?

Thanks again

 

There seemed to be quite a few posts about Plugs Blowing out, stripping as they came out.

Ron
99 Xlt 4.6

 

"Normal" oil loss is one thing, but puddles under the vehicle is another. Besides, I use Mobil 1, and I want the oil inside my motor.

I bought a '00 instead of a '99 because due to this problem. And if FORD is replacing heads and engines to fix it, the problem does not sound like a minor one to me.

 

Ditto on the head gasket leaks - that's probably the 2nd most common issue with the '99s, with the exception of coil #4 getting roasted from a leaky coolant hose. The spark plug popping out of the head issue seems to be a freak thing - there don't seem to be any precipitating events, it's just "BANG" and it happens. Sometimes it strips the head on the way out, other times there's no apparent damage. In the case of the undamaged threads, a close analysis shows that the problem cylinder threads are a little too big - just a bit, and the plug works it's way until POP. I wouldn't worry about the transmission gremlins - GM had the same problem with the '02 and '03 Silverados, and in both GM and Ford's cases, the problems are gone and the trannys work great. As far as the head gasket leak problem, it's a matter of the heads being milled improperly, and there's a slight bevel on the passenger side head. I think Ford resolved to put a thicker gasket in there, which worked for some people but was generally seen as a band-aid (a very poor one at that). The generally accepted fix is the replace the entire head.

With 50,000K, it's about time for the IAC valve to give up the ghost. Expect to kick out about $65 and 20 minutes to install a new one.

Now that I've sufficiently scared you, let me say that I own a 1999 Expedition with 68K miles and I've never had any of these problems except the IAC valve. I love my truck. I'm 21 years old and I will continue to buy Ford trucks until I croak. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hell, I love these things so much that I spend all my time on FTE and moderate this forum!

If the owner can present sufficient evidence of a clean bill of health (for the truck ;-) , then I would consider buying it.

XXL

 

Where is the IAC valve and is it hard to replace? Is this something I have to get from Ford is their an after market solution?

Thanks.

 

I test drove the Expedition again this weekend, for a longer test drive this time. I noticed a few things:

1) The engine/transmission is making a certain vibration from the beginning of acceleration, and a little vibration while cruising. There are new tires on there (Goodyears). Feels like a tire is out of round, but could this also be the engine missing? Can't really tell the difference, but maybe someone could enlighten me on what happens when the #4 coil pack decides to go south.

2) Are the speedo's right on these things all the time? I was driving on a 4 lane divided road doing the speed limit at 65mph and people were kinda passing me, and it felt like I was going slow. But I guess driving a bigger vehicle like that can give me a false sense of driving slow.

3) Making turns it feels way too soft. I think I read about it in posts about different shocks and sway/stabalizer bars.

The IAC valve was replaced a few months ago. Other than that the truck drove awsome. I read the instruction manual while driving, is this thing AWD? There's a switch that has the 4H, 4L, and A4WD or something like that. Could that be why it feels a little rough driving?

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

1. Vibration, Keep in Mind these area a pretty large truck, with large tires, .. They will not be silky smooth, But useing common sense, if you suspect the vibes to be excessive ,have it checked out if that will be the only thing holding you back from purchasing this vehicle.
Might be the torque converter, Sometimes a simple fluid change will take care of it, sometimes, there are deeper problems that require a rebuild.Could also be a u-joint, diff, etc.


2. If you have the factory size tires, on the factory size rims, then there is no reason to expect the speedo to be off.

3. You got it


AWD switch, it is contuously in AWD, Sometimes it can be a bit rough, But if everything is working properly, it shouldnt be that noticable.

I say Change the fluids, in the tranny, transfer, check u-joints and driveshaft, (iff the owner will help out)if that doesnt take care of the problem, steer clear as you probably have a deeper rooted problem.
My deeper rooted problem cost me $1,600 for a tranny rebuild.

Ron
99 Xlt 4.6

 

Per Buzzard: "Personally it sounds like many owners are making a much bigger deal out of the problem than it really is. In following the topic for several years, most owners have to search very hard to discover the leak because it is so small oil never even makes it down to the ground. "
I had to search real hard as you say - wrong. My first clue was the smoke pouring out from under the truck and the burnt oil smell every time I took it on the highway. Mine never leaked on the ground, what didn't burn off on the exhaust was spread out underneath on everything. The $2K repair price and a week in the shop didn't bother me either - personally speaking.

 

There are always exceptions. Sorry you're it.

 

Exception? Geesh its the norm with these things, either that, or blowing the plugs out, or dropping trannys..

Ron
99 Expedition XLT

BEFORE you purchase an Expedition Go here.
www.consumeraffairs.com.. Do a search on Expeditions...
Run while you can!! lol

Ron
99 Xlt 4.6