Maintenance suggestions
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Maintenance suggestions
Recently purchased a 98 EB Explorer. Was able to determine which dealer did the service and obtained a print out of the services from said dealer. Vehicle received regular 3K LOF's, and all recall services.Tie rod ends, suspoension bushings, pinion seal and front axle half shafts all replaced. Appears not to have been used off road.
Questions:
-Timing chain "cassettes" done, both sides, in November, 2000, under warrantee. 11 hours of labor charged. The OOM12 fix NOT done. Did the "Cassette" work likely cover the 00M12 fix? Dealer can't say. If not, should I pay for the 00m12 fix immeadialey even though no noise?
-Cooling and Transmission flushes done at 30,000 miles, in 12/2000. No record of any since. Does Ford use the "long life" coolant or is the truck ready for these services again?
-No record of any differential/Transfer case oil changes. Truck probably rarely used in 4WD. Is this something to take care of immeadiately?
-Any other recommendations for maintenance?
Questions:
-Timing chain "cassettes" done, both sides, in November, 2000, under warrantee. 11 hours of labor charged. The OOM12 fix NOT done. Did the "Cassette" work likely cover the 00M12 fix? Dealer can't say. If not, should I pay for the 00m12 fix immeadialey even though no noise?
-Cooling and Transmission flushes done at 30,000 miles, in 12/2000. No record of any since. Does Ford use the "long life" coolant or is the truck ready for these services again?
-No record of any differential/Transfer case oil changes. Truck probably rarely used in 4WD. Is this something to take care of immeadiately?
-Any other recommendations for maintenance?
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Hello,
1. If there is no noise coming from the timing chain assembly, then there is no need to do the 00m12 recall. I'm pretty sure that replacing the cassettes was part of the 00m12 recall anyway.
2. You should definetly have a coolant and transmission flush done, even if it's long life coolant. The vehicle that you have purchased probably sat on the lot for a good many days and sediment could have built up in the coolant and the hoses. Personally, I always do a transmission flush at least every 30,000 miles because the transmissions in Explorers are very delicate, and I'd rather spend the 100 bucks having it flushed out, rather than forking over 2500 bucks to replace it.
3. Replacing the differential and transfer case fluid is not necessary at this time. If the previous owner hasn't used 4WD but you are planning to use it, then I would suggest that you replace your transfer case fluid to get all the gunk that has built up in it. Usually, the Ford differential's are serviced around 90,000 miles, so you have some time before it needs to be looked at.
Hope this helps.
1. If there is no noise coming from the timing chain assembly, then there is no need to do the 00m12 recall. I'm pretty sure that replacing the cassettes was part of the 00m12 recall anyway.
2. You should definetly have a coolant and transmission flush done, even if it's long life coolant. The vehicle that you have purchased probably sat on the lot for a good many days and sediment could have built up in the coolant and the hoses. Personally, I always do a transmission flush at least every 30,000 miles because the transmissions in Explorers are very delicate, and I'd rather spend the 100 bucks having it flushed out, rather than forking over 2500 bucks to replace it.
3. Replacing the differential and transfer case fluid is not necessary at this time. If the previous owner hasn't used 4WD but you are planning to use it, then I would suggest that you replace your transfer case fluid to get all the gunk that has built up in it. Usually, the Ford differential's are serviced around 90,000 miles, so you have some time before it needs to be looked at.
Hope this helps.
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I took it into the dealer and had the tranny and cooling system flushed. A little pricey, but now it's done. Dealer also recommended a power steering flush, which I did.
I will let the Timing chain issue ride because there is no noise.
-question-
When I spoke with the service Adviser, he told me that the reason the tranny service was so high was because they used "mercon V " fluid. When I picked it up, they had charged me less than the estimate, but had used "mercon III " fluid. I questioned the Service adviser about this and he told me my transmission used the III and not the V and that you could not use V in a III system. Anyone know if this is the case?
I will let the Timing chain issue ride because there is no noise.
-question-
When I spoke with the service Adviser, he told me that the reason the tranny service was so high was because they used "mercon V " fluid. When I picked it up, they had charged me less than the estimate, but had used "mercon III " fluid. I questioned the Service adviser about this and he told me my transmission used the III and not the V and that you could not use V in a III system. Anyone know if this is the case?
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That seems odd. As far as I know, the 2nd generation Explorers (98-01) used Mercon V. I could be wrong so hopefully someone else can chime in and verify this issue. However, monitor your transmission performance and if it doesn't shift right, take it back to the dealer immediately and make sure that they didn't use the wrong fluid. I don't think the power steering flush was really necessary. The dealer was just trying to make some quick cash but now at least you don't have to have the power steering serviced for a long time 
. Good luck with your vehicle and welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!
. Good luck with your vehicle and welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I agree with nand12's concerns. Which engine and tranny combo do you have? do you have your owner's manual? also, the yellow top of the tranny dipstick should ID the TF. Does it say Mercon V right on it????
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Well, right you both are. The Explorer has the 4.0SOhc and the automatic transmission.
The owners manual clearly states to use MERCON V transmission fluid. I guess it's back to the dealer on Monday for a brand new tranny flush. Anyone think a weekend of driving with the wrong fluid will damage the transmission?
The irony of the situation is that the Explorer didn't need the transmission flush after all. As I posted, the dealer that serviced the Explorer before I bought it had no record of any tranny flushes since 12/00 at 30,000 miles. The Ford website, however, has a "My Ford" link. I registered with "My Ford" and entered the VIN number. Under "service log", all of the service that the Explorer had received since 12/02 at any Ford dealership was listed --includind a Transmission and cooling system flush at 56,000 miles in 7/03. So I guess this service was a little early. Oh well, it would have needed eventually, anyway.
The owners manual clearly states to use MERCON V transmission fluid. I guess it's back to the dealer on Monday for a brand new tranny flush. Anyone think a weekend of driving with the wrong fluid will damage the transmission?
The irony of the situation is that the Explorer didn't need the transmission flush after all. As I posted, the dealer that serviced the Explorer before I bought it had no record of any tranny flushes since 12/00 at 30,000 miles. The Ford website, however, has a "My Ford" link. I registered with "My Ford" and entered the VIN number. Under "service log", all of the service that the Explorer had received since 12/02 at any Ford dealership was listed --includind a Transmission and cooling system flush at 56,000 miles in 7/03. So I guess this service was a little early. Oh well, it would have needed eventually, anyway.
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More bad news.
I was looking over the bill and noted that the Transmission tech charged me for 16 QTS of transmission fluid. The owners manual says that the 4.0 sohc with 4WD and automatic should take 10. I checked and the dipstick indicates an overfill. Wrong tranny fluid AND an overfill. From a Ford dealer, no less.
My son took the Explorer up to Tahoe this weekend and put about 250 miles on it. Any opinions about whether serious (or minor) damage likely occurred?
I was looking over the bill and noted that the Transmission tech charged me for 16 QTS of transmission fluid. The owners manual says that the 4.0 sohc with 4WD and automatic should take 10. I checked and the dipstick indicates an overfill. Wrong tranny fluid AND an overfill. From a Ford dealer, no less.
My son took the Explorer up to Tahoe this weekend and put about 250 miles on it. Any opinions about whether serious (or minor) damage likely occurred?
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I would say stop driving the vehicle as soon as possible and take it back to the dealer. Have them perform a full tranny flush for free and possibly refund some money back to you. Show them the tranny information in the owner's manual and make them document their error so if anything happens to your transmission in the future because of this incident, it won't be your fault. I'm sure that your son would have felt abnormal transmission shifts because the tranny fluid was wrong and overfilled. You should get the transmission inspected by another dealer and if there is anything wrong, get an estimate and make the original dealer (the one that performed your tranny flush) pay for the damage if any. Hope this helps.
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I took the Explorere back to the dealer and he was anxious to replace the fluid with the proper stuff. On ther drive home i noticed the shifting seemed crisper than on the drive to the dealer.
Thanks for all the advice
Thanks for all the advice
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Sounds good, I'm glad he took responsibility for his screwup. Did he document his error on the work order? If he didn't it would be a good idea to get this done just in case anything happens in the future. Hope this helps and have fun with your vehicle!
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Actually, the new w/o did state to replace the Transmission fluid with mercon V and referred to the previous w/o stating that the wrong fluid had been used. Hopefully this will cover me if something happens in the future.
Thanks for your assistance
Thanks for your assistance
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