Okay, well, I can't buy one right now because I have no money, I gotta start saving first. So right now I'm stuck with the Turdster (my Bronco II).

Thing is, I want to buy a not too old Explorer so I don't have to spend much (I'm almost 17, I got no money, lol). I really want a 2002, but it'll be too much by the time I get a better car.

I've been told by someone that older Explorers have problems. I want one made in the second gen (aren't they, like, the 1996-2001 Explorers?) since they wouldn't be too much for me by the time I get a car. So I was curious, do these things have known problems associated with them? I was also curious as to what years have the 4.0 OHV and the 4.0 SOHC, and if there's any problems known. A friend of mine's mom has a 2001 Explorer Sport with the 4.0 SOHC and I don't think they've had any problems. They've been driving it for a LONG time with the Check Engine Light on, but they've never figured out the problem, and nothing has broken, so maybe there's a bad sensor somewhere, who knows...

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, do the second gen Explorers have any problems, and what years did they use the 4.0 OHV and 4.0 SOHC (don't want a V8 because of insurance reasons/I don't need a V8/better gas than a V8)?

EDIT: If it helps any, I want a 4-door, NOT a 2-door Sport.

 

Hello there, I own a 94 Ford Explorer XLT V6, till now I have not yet had any problems at all, Im very happy with my truck maybe this is what youre not looking for, but what it matters is, get as much information about the car before you purchase one, My sister-in-law ownes a 98 Ford Explorer XLT V8 and she has had more problems than all my cars combine together, like I said before if a car or truck has been taking care for you can find a good used explorer, I'll tell you this much everybody that has ride my Explorer they all say its very nice, its looks like new and it rides better than the new ones, but if you dont want any problems then buy a NEW model and be prepared to be in debt for at least 6 years.

PEACE OUT

 

Need to watch out for The A/C Blend Door Problem. This can be extremely serious in Houston.
I have a 96 302V8 AWD, 98K miles. Blend door is the only trouble I've had with it.
V8 gas mileage on mine is about 17 in the winter to 22 in the summer. From what I see on this board, there is no significant difference in mileage between the V6 and V8. The sixes seem to have more mechanical problems, though.

 

look underneath allmost every explorer i have ever seen leaks tranny fluid at about 70-100,000 miles. it can be seen between the bell housing and the rear of the engne. look where the oil pan ends...if u see drips you may need a new front tranny seal. at least i think thats the problem, mne leaks a lil bit but only about a quart every three weeks or so. but if you tow somethng fuggetaboutit you will spray everywehere. why this happens i'll never know. maybe too much tranny pressure.

 

The early model(91-94) Explorers are know to have rust problems in the rear fenderwell lips and rocker panels. Also, the 91-94s automatic transmissions are know to have problems in the 150k range.

 

I would stick with a vehicle that runs well instead of spending all your cash at your age. Maybe even find an econo-box for the next few years. Explorers aren't cheap vehicles to keep on the road.

Save your money for pizza and beer in college. I made the mistake of buying a Trans Am right out of high school. I worked about 30 hours a week while going to college full time and half the money I made went to my vehicle. I missed out on a lot of good times because of paying for that car.

 

The reason I want an Explorer is because generally they're newer than what I have, and if u knew my current vehicle, they're probably about 10 times better than what I have.

My current vehicle is a 1987 Ford Bronco II. Everything but tranny fluid and brake fluid leaks. Freon leaks. Engine has about 329,700 miles, and somehow still running, lol. Tranny is about 2-2.5 years old. Regardless of all the leaking and such, the engine does run well enough that I honestly think I can get about 3 or 4 more years out of that thing at least. Eventually I want a newer SUV to use. The reason I want an SUV is because I currently use the Bronco to help haul equipment to/from practices/concerts/recording/etc. It doesn't hold everything (being that it pretty much has the same amount of cargo room as an Explorer Sport, considering it's design is practically that of an Explorer Sport, but older) and I'd like more room to haul stuff, but I wouldn't be financially in the state of buying a newer car unless I saved up a huge downpayment by then or something, ya know? (this is why an econo-car isn't exactly what I need right now... the equipment I haul are drums and amps) But considering college, my band, and other stuff, I won't really be able to have a big downpayment, unless I got some good raises along the way... but I can't predict the future... so I'll guess I'll just have to see what happens. Like I said, I TRULY want to buy a 2002 Explorer XLS or XLT, but it'll probably still be too much when I go to buy a new car. Who knows, only the future will tell...

BTW, what is the blend door problem? I've heard about it, but dunno what it is...

 

i have 2 x's and i would never trade them for any thing else but a new one i have a 97 v8 AWD and i love the power and it's been getting pretty good MPG about 15-18 in the city and that's not much worse then the v6 i also have a 94 x 4x4 woth 84k miles and have onlt had to prob's with it sense new at 20k miles the front hub's went out and at 80k the thermostat went out it does not leak anything and it run's smooth

i would say go for a 95 and they can be picked up pretty cheap and there the first year of the second gen's so there a littel nicer with the ride and such

 

Why not consider a minivan or a small pickup with a shell? You might get more carrying capacity and less complication and expense. Just an idea...

 

I drive both an '87 BII (fewer miles than yours), a '92 Explorer, and my dad has a '95 Explorer. To answer the initial question. The 4.0 OHV was standard untill 2000 or 2001. As a derivative of the 2.9 (which you've already seen can have a long and useful life), it is considered a very reliable engine with few major problems. The 4.0 SOHC was introduced as an option in '96 or '97. The SOHC seems to be a good engine as well, as long as the cam tesioner issue has been taken care of and the intake manifold gaskets have been taken care of. Both are under "owner notification programs", and Ford extended the warranty period for these issues. The 5.0 L V8 was also added as an option around '97, and is also considered a good engine, if you decide that you'd like to consider the V8.

As for my experience. In many ways I like the BII better. The 2.9 seems to run better and gets better MPG. The V6 in the explorers doesn't seem to do as well. I like the turning radius (there aren't very many vehicles that can compete with a BII in the turning radius department). For the explorer, I like the larger cargo capacity.

Like you said, time will tell what option you choose to take. While we are suggesting possible alternatives, how about this. Keep the BII and throw down a few hundred to a thousand for a nice enclosed cargo trailer for the equipment. That's what I did for hauling stuff that doesn't fit in my SUV's.

 

Not to go off subject or anything, but would these have anything to do with the CEL constantly being on with my friend's mom's 2001 Explorer Sport?

MUST agree... I barely had any room to get into a left-turn lane today when I was in town, and I had just enough room to squeeze, leave room for others to pass me, AND when the line started moving I never crossed into the other lane.



True, that could work, except let me also tell you what's up with the engine. I cracked a head (or blew a head gasket or something... in other words, I blew something to cause water to leak into the oil) over the summer from overheating (long story... in short, I accidentally left off the pressure cap one morning when filling the radiator with water, drove it all day, ran hot, create a water leak). The engine also starts to smoke after running it for about a minute or so. It doesn't last long. For example, I could start it and drive to the store, get out, and smoke flows out through the grille. BUT, if I start it, and drive to the next town, when I get out the smoke is gone. It's only at the start. I believe it's some type of gunk burnoff considering gunk is covering the engine. It does come from the location around the driver's side header, more toward behind the block, so I'm thinking it could either be gunk burning, or exhaust leak, but if it were an exhaust leak, it'd always smoke, so I'm leaning more toward the gunk burnoff. Also, ya know how the 2.9 is notorious for blown valve cover gaskets? I think I'm running on 'em right now, because there's also a blackish colored gunk around the seals, and my oil gets dirty QUICK now. If you want to know the past history... the previous owner had to replace the alternator, and a couple of air conditioning parts (I think the parts that look like mini radiators, but I forget what they're called) as well as replaced the heater core. He also added aftermarket gauges inside because the temp gauge quit working, and there are no battery and oil pressure gauges, so he installed a temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, and along with 'em is an amp meter gauge, but it's not hooked up. And yes, these work with the truck off as well. I do not know if the differential fluid in either of the differentials has ever been replaced, but I could POSSIBLY find out. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Oh yeah, a front brush guard was welded to the frame and the rear bumper was extended. You can also tell he did some type of trailer hauling with it. Not sure what he pulled. I can tell because of scratches from when a trailer ball was installed. There is no hitch underneath, and I've heard bumper towing isn't the greatest idea in the world. Oh yeah, he also pulled a Suburban out of the mud once, and he did go wheeling in it. It currently resides on BF Goodrich 215/75/R15 All-Terrains. Two of them leak, so pretty soon I'm gonna go see about getting them fixed. I also need to do a rotate and balance, even though the tires have probably not worn correctly. It still needs to be done though. Anyway, back to the engine. I think that's about all, really.

______________________________________________

My original intention was to buy an Expedition in the future for room. I realized that was too much room (especially for me) and decided I should stick with an Explorer. Then I decided on the older Explorer so I could get a cheaper, but newer and more reliable vehicle than my current one. And I figure if I do need more room I could buy a trailer. OR, since it's a group effort (remember, the cargo use is mostly for my BAND, not always for ME) my band could raise some money (making it easier and quicker to get a trailer) for a small box trailer to tow. We are saving up right now for a P/A system, though.

Another thing I'd like to know is how much insurance would possibly be for me if I bought a second gen Explorer with a 5.0? I'll probably be 18 when I get this. I currently am going to be 17 in one month from now. To give you an idea of my current insurance (to help better on possible figuring) we have my 1987 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer 2.9, 2000 Ford Mustang 3.8, and 2003 Chevrolet Astro 4.3 with me as primary driver on the Bronco II, mom as primary on the Stang, and dad as primary on the Astro. Insurance is somewhere around $250-$280 a month right now, I believe. We used to have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 SLT (how I loved driving that thing, wooo!) and insurance was around $350 with that on it, lol.

Anyway, I'm sure I've said TOO MUCH by now. Any more help appreciated.

CLIFF NOTES: asked about 4.0 SOHC CEL, BII turning radius, history of my BII, asked about insurance at my age, and that's about it. In other words, read the "story" lol...

 

Oh yeah, and nobody answer my previous question... what's the blend door problem? As from what I've been seeing, I'm thinking it has to do with A/C-Heat blending door with the climate control being broken... but yall tell me...

 

ok I would personally buy a 2nd gen X. They started in '95 and im not sure when they changed over. I have a '96 and have only had the clutch replaced. (manual) The a4ld tranny isnt the greatest, but if you get the fluid changed every 30k miles and have them put metal plugs in to replace the stock rubber ones you will be ok. Also the blend door does have to do with the air. It mixes the incoming air(heating, Air conditioning) it is not a serious problem.

 

Yeah, figured... I saw the door fix on here, so that's a good help.

Gracias!

 

Just a quick question, I don't mean this as an insult to Ford or the Explorer, I'm just curious as to why it occurs. I seem to read about an awful lot of transmission problems on the Explorers and also have read that they need a transmission service or flush every 30K miles. I didn't service the transmission in my Grand Cherokee until 125K and have not done anything since then as I'm now at 142K. The transfer case has two settings 4 wheel drive full-time and low range. I also have a 3" lift, brushguard, etc.. so the transmission has to work hard as I go off-road etc..., but the owner's manual says to leave well enough alone and it currently shifts fine. On our F-150, the owner's manual says the transmission doesn't need to be serviced until 100K. I'm sure that Jeeps and F-150's have had their share of tranny problems, it just seems that they don't fail that often or as early. I'm just trying to learn about different vehicles, so is there a particular mechanical reason for the Explorer's transmission woes, etc... Please don't take any offense about the comparison, just curious as to why every 30K on the Explorer.