Would you be worried about buying a used 2000 ex? My fear is the spitting spark plugs. Do all earlier ex.'s spit plugs?
Any pros to a 2000 over a 2005?

 

Here's the ex in question ...


View item:
Ford : Excursion Limited Sport Utility 4-Door 2000 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited V10, Estate green/tan. Above average condition



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I just bought my 2000 V10 X with 145000 on her about 4 months ago. I have had a 2004 E350 work van with the V10 so I knew what a great engine it had in her. When I bought the X I replaced all the plugs and caps, all filters and oils. When I looked at her she didn't have one wet spot under her and she still doesn't. I did have to put a new cat on her to pass smog here in CA. I havnt had one prob with her yet, except for my tow haul light coming on but that was due to bat cable loose. Good luck

 

We just got our 2003 with 110k on it not too long ago and we were also looking at a 2000. My only concern was the same as yours...the plugs launching out of the heads. In the end I realized that this was the vehicle that fit our needs and that if I did lose a plug there was a reasonable solution to repair it. I just replaced the plugs and did find one that was only finger tight. The belief is that they loosen over time and then come out so it appears I dodged the bullet. I plan on changing them again in 50k and maybe sooner because that way I can make sure they are tight and good.

 

Not to pick nits, but your 2000 EX doesn't have a "Tow Haul" button. All the motors in 2000 came with the 4R100 trans and it has an "OD off" button that does flash or light up for certain tranmission related fault codes.


To the OP, I wouldn't worry too much about blowing plugs on an earlier motor, the Time-Sert kit will fix it up as good as new IF it should pop a plug. Change the plugs when you get it and install then correctly as per advice from this forum and you should be good for many miles.

 

Blowing plugs is self inflicted. There are so many holes and you can't see the plugs so people get distracted and leave one loose; "hmmm, did I do that one? Oh well, I think so". Also people add lot's of antiseize and even to the tapered friction part, look up the inflated torque value others have arrived at, and then add a little more heft for "good measure". People lose sight if the fact that the factory torque is only 11 pounds and they don't mention putting anything on the threads which greatly increases the torque............too tight or too loose.

 

From my research the plugs spitting out was fixed with the PI heads. This was around mid 02!? My X is a late build 02. When i did my plugs at 50k miles i used a pick to count the threads and i had 5 or 6? I know the problem heads were the early V-10's up to very early 02, maybe late 01?! Either way, it's a small issue. That can be repaired rather easily!

 

I think they had only 3-4 threads until late '02.

 

Scared of what? I was a bit skittish about buying our 2000 Ex a little over 12 months ago. Bought it with 109,xxx and now it has 130,xxx. Love it, wife wants one of her own now.

 

 

Yes, you are correct. The OD button

 

Over dose button.

 

Doggman,
I'm new to this forum. Just returned from a 5000 mile camping trip to western US in a 2000 EX V10 with 123K miles. I did some modifications to suspension for towing. Simply put, it was awesome. Not a single issue. Ran like a beast through the mountains pulling a 28ft. travel trailer. Very happy.

 

In the past year, myself and 4 of my friends have bought X's because our kids are now in their early teens and have tons of gear to haul around and friends. It's the perfect vehicle from camping to carpooling. Just don't expect to park it easy at the mall lol.

 

I would not be overly concerned about the spark plug issue. I had my 5.4 Expedition launch a plug and i caught a second before i went. cheap easy fix, not a huge deal.

I've had 3 V10s 00,02,04 and changed plugs myself on the 04 and (early)02 without issue and put a combined 65k ish miles on them with no plug issues.

The plugs would be low on my list of worries when buying a Ex…