I have driven this 99,000 blind auction dog for over a year and 13,000 miles. Just did a 2,000 mile round trip @72mph getting 18.7 MPG on 245 65 17's with my catalyst fail CEL light on continuously.

Now I have to buy tires, redo the brake rotors, pins and pads, and the cats. I do this, I will drive it another couple years, or until it gets too boring.

The 4.6 3V loves to rev in the 3-4 k RPM power ban.

Thumbs up to this model.

 

My son has a 2005 Explorer 2WD with the 4.6. He lives in southern Texas so he doesn't need a 4WD. He likes it (I guess that's all that matters), but the whole front and rear suspension had to be rebuilt at 100K miles. Seriously, the parts should have lasted longer than that.

 

I've been driving a '12 Lincoln MKX. and I am stunned at the acceleration compared to my Dog Wagon Explorer.

The 4.6 4x4 (awd) passed inspection this week. For inspection purposes, new front rotors and ceramic pads. (huge diff) Freed up the slider pins on all four corners. New front rubber, 245 45 17s New crossover and cats. reused the old autolites. I have an Autel Maxicheck scanner, and it informed me of my readiness for the PA inspection. PA allows one INC PID on the scanner, and mine was the EVAP.

I had been driving this dog for a year trying to figure out the (very light) ROUGH IDLE CONDITION. It did throw a P 1074 lean bank 2. for a moment.
AND consistent HIGH LONGTERM FUEL TRIM

-the Ford guy on the Internet says it's the cam phase solenoid
Unplug the solenoids and drive to see if there is a difference
I could not tell.
-Ohmd the injectors all were close. I
-vacuum leak?.
Mine idles at 22 foot lbs all day. Snap throttle response as it should.
-air / fuel management?
MAF is .001 lbs at IDLE and increases with acceleration
IAT is at 13.9 to 14.1 degrees Changes with acceleration
Fuel Pressure is constant at 39-40%
-Catalyst and O2's
02's are graphing nicely on both banks (my scantool is out in the garage, I will get freezeframe voltage)
Short Term Fuel Trim both banks mostly between -5 and +5 will spike to 10 on either side, given acceleration etc.
Long Term Fuel Trim both banks has never gone under 8.4 spends most of it's driving time @12-15 and idles @17-18

I replaced 3 vacuum hose with new rubber.
I verified the check valve is working in my Master Cylinder.
I've stethoscoped all eight of the injectors
I replaced the fuel filter
I installed a new fuel regulator sensor
I replaced the triangular TPS with a beefier rectangular one
I installed new intake gaskets
I smoke tested couldnt find anything

 

Stop and go traffic. The first 30 seconds at the stoplight, you could balance a pyramid of champagne glasses on the hood, but after the 30 seconds it gets a little rough. ( I have been trying to fix this for a year)

Last January, I installed new manifold gaskets. The design sucks, because when they crush down, it's possible each gasket could lean left and right. There are 8 different ones. I built my own smoker and used some cigars... for smoke. I also used propane while measuring fuel trim. I am thinking about replacing all vacuum hoses. I do measure 22inches vacuum @idle and the snap throttle vacuum readings appear to be normal.

So for the hell of it, I am going to pull the intake and install all new vacuums.