HELP! with my 98 Expedition
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HELP! with my 98 Expedition
Hi All,
I just bought a 98 Eddie Bauer Expedition - it is in EXCELLENT cosmetic condition and the only known mechanical issues are a missing nut on the rear window latch assembly and a minor leak from the right rear axle seal.
It has 101,400 miles on it and I'd appreciate your collective experience/wisdom on the extent of service I need to perform before I drive the truck very much. I intend to change all fluids from radiator to rear diff (since I must remove the axle anyway to change the seal). What fluids do you recommend for each need - transfer case, transmission, front axle, rear axle, etc.
What else should I be concerned about with that many miles? I'm thinking the spark plugs have probably never been changed, though it runs good and idles smooth. Since I don't know, I'll change them anyway. Should I used Autolite Platinums?
Picture yourself buying this vehicle and tell me everything you'd do to it.
BTW, I posted pics of it in my gallery. Please check it out and tell me what you think!
Thanks in Advance
Scott
I just bought a 98 Eddie Bauer Expedition - it is in EXCELLENT cosmetic condition and the only known mechanical issues are a missing nut on the rear window latch assembly and a minor leak from the right rear axle seal.
It has 101,400 miles on it and I'd appreciate your collective experience/wisdom on the extent of service I need to perform before I drive the truck very much. I intend to change all fluids from radiator to rear diff (since I must remove the axle anyway to change the seal). What fluids do you recommend for each need - transfer case, transmission, front axle, rear axle, etc.
What else should I be concerned about with that many miles? I'm thinking the spark plugs have probably never been changed, though it runs good and idles smooth. Since I don't know, I'll change them anyway. Should I used Autolite Platinums?
Picture yourself buying this vehicle and tell me everything you'd do to it.
BTW, I posted pics of it in my gallery. Please check it out and tell me what you think!
Thanks in Advance
Scott
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Oklahoma
Great looking truck Scott! Congrats on the purchase. 
You are pretty much on track for what fluids you want to change. A lot has been said whether to use dino or synthetics ... I've pretty much stuck to the dino oil. (Just my opinion)
I hate to break it to you, but yes, the plugs will need to be changed
and most including myself recommend Motorcraft Double Platinum. Good luck on that one...I still have to bite the bullet and change mine (104,000 miles - bought the plugs, just need to put them in.)
Other than that, if it were mine, I'd add a bug shield, vent visors, a little tint on the driver/passenger windows and a really big stupid people catcher on the front! BTW, I love the 'Stunt Driver' tag on the front!
Good luck with it!
Tim
You are pretty much on track for what fluids you want to change. A lot has been said whether to use dino or synthetics ... I've pretty much stuck to the dino oil. (Just my opinion)
I hate to break it to you, but yes, the plugs will need to be changed
and most including myself recommend Motorcraft Double Platinum. Good luck on that one...I still have to bite the bullet and change mine (104,000 miles - bought the plugs, just need to put them in.)Other than that, if it were mine, I'd add a bug shield, vent visors, a little tint on the driver/passenger windows and a really big stupid people catcher on the front! BTW, I love the 'Stunt Driver' tag on the front!
Good luck with it!
Tim
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From: South...
Thanks Tim!
I'll go with the Motorcraft Double Platinums too! Does WalMart usually carry them or will I need to see my local Ford guys?
I picked up some Motorcraft 5W-20 for my wife's 02 Explorer last week, at WalMart and was stunned that it was only $17.04 per case!!! I thought that's pretty incredible for synthetic blend! Could I run that in my Expy...has anyone run it in their 5.4 and been happy with the results? I read quite a bit about it in the lube forum and there were many positive comments about it being "the REAL deal".
Thanks for the kind words about my truck - I was impressed too when I first saw it on the lot. I'm really happy about the way it drives and rides. I hope I don't experience some of the bad characteristics others have. I've wanted an Expedition since they were introduced in 97...but could never afford a new one in the EB trim level. This one just came along at the right time.
I hope to drive it for many years (provided gas doesn't become totally unaffordable!).
Scott
I'll go with the Motorcraft Double Platinums too! Does WalMart usually carry them or will I need to see my local Ford guys?
I picked up some Motorcraft 5W-20 for my wife's 02 Explorer last week, at WalMart and was stunned that it was only $17.04 per case!!! I thought that's pretty incredible for synthetic blend! Could I run that in my Expy...has anyone run it in their 5.4 and been happy with the results? I read quite a bit about it in the lube forum and there were many positive comments about it being "the REAL deal".
Thanks for the kind words about my truck - I was impressed too when I first saw it on the lot. I'm really happy about the way it drives and rides. I hope I don't experience some of the bad characteristics others have. I've wanted an Expedition since they were introduced in 97...but could never afford a new one in the EB trim level. This one just came along at the right time.
I hope to drive it for many years (provided gas doesn't become totally unaffordable!).
Scott
Last edited by 78Explorer; Sep 16, 2004 at 03:37 PM.
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Hey Scott, welcome to our little world. Tim offers some good advice. If you don't know the whole maintenance history, you ought to look in fuel filter and O2 sensors too.
I've always run standard oils, but synthetics certainly can't hurt...purely personal preference the way I see it.
I've never seen Motorcraft plugs at Wally World, in fact I was at a store in San Antonio a couple weeks ago and they didn't have a single automotive plug at all. You can certainly get the correct plugs at Ford for around $4 each...not too bad when you consider they'll last 5-10 years.
I've always run standard oils, but synthetics certainly can't hurt...purely personal preference the way I see it.
I've never seen Motorcraft plugs at Wally World, in fact I was at a store in San Antonio a couple weeks ago and they didn't have a single automotive plug at all. You can certainly get the correct plugs at Ford for around $4 each...not too bad when you consider they'll last 5-10 years.
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From: South...
Hi Jim
I guess I was thinking of Autolite plugs...I've bought them at Wally World. I'll just drop in at my friendly neighborhood Ford parts dept and pick up the Motorcrafts.
Will definitely check out the fuel filter/O2 sensor threads.
Thanks for welcoming me aboard
As long as I've wanted an Expedition, I feel like I've been a member of this group all along
Question...are all suspension parts interchangeable between an Expedition and an F150 of the same year or am I showing my ignorance? The reason I ask is because I was toying with the idea of a 3"-6" suspension lift and bigger tires and was curious if I needed to look for a kit specifically for an Expedition.
Thanks,
Scott
I guess I was thinking of Autolite plugs...I've bought them at Wally World. I'll just drop in at my friendly neighborhood Ford parts dept and pick up the Motorcrafts.
Will definitely check out the fuel filter/O2 sensor threads.
Thanks for welcoming me aboard
As long as I've wanted an Expedition, I feel like I've been a member of this group all along
Question...are all suspension parts interchangeable between an Expedition and an F150 of the same year or am I showing my ignorance? The reason I ask is because I was toying with the idea of a 3"-6" suspension lift and bigger tires and was curious if I needed to look for a kit specifically for an Expedition.
Thanks,
Scott
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From: All over Texas
Originally Posted by 78Explorer
Question...are all suspension parts interchangeable between an Expedition and an F150 of the same year or am I showing my ignorance? The reason I ask is because I was toying with the idea of a 3"-6" suspension lift and bigger tires and was curious if I needed to look for a kit specifically for an Expedition.
Thanks,
Scott
Got me there??? I'd snoop around on some of the 4x4 supplier sites and see if the part numbers are the same. I do know that the f150 rear shocks mount differently than the Expy's. I'd bet the front are the same.
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From: Midwest
Is your Eddie equipped with LLS? F-150 lift kit won't work if it is. Also, what tranny do you have?
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78explorer, Sweet looking expy, I have a 2000 the same color and love it, you will love it, they are a sweet ride. Good luck. Brian
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From: Greer SC
fuel filter, plugs (oem), clean IAC (simple job) change transmission and converter fluid.
use turkey basting method to change power steering fluid... get separate baster and do same with brake fluid.
change coolant.
there I said it....change all fluids.... rear differential sealed for life..only change if gone under water
98 expy 116 miles.... only things that have gone wrong is blown subwoofer and turn signal stalk...
use turkey basting method to change power steering fluid... get separate baster and do same with brake fluid.
change coolant.
there I said it....change all fluids.... rear differential sealed for life..only change if gone under water
98 expy 116 miles.... only things that have gone wrong is blown subwoofer and turn signal stalk...
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From: South...
Sunday morning...while towing a trailer with a 92 Mustang convertible onboard, my Expy decided to eject a piston through the right side of the engine block. 
See my other post...
Scott
See my other post...
Scott
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
You might want to think about wires when you do the plugs. I have a 99 and the wires went bad about 70k. I don't know if yours is the same as mine but they were a little pricy. $98. But you would be good for another 100k. Good luck with it.
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From: Louisville, KY
trike1946 ......... how did you determine the wires went bad ....... what where the symptoms?
I’m trying to chase down a miss easily felt at idle.
99 Navi with 74000 ...... you got me thinking .....?
I’m trying to chase down a miss easily felt at idle.
99 Navi with 74000 ...... you got me thinking .....?
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