aquired explorer, just need advice!! - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

dkitt10 · 07-06-2007, 01:43 PM

rusted old 91 xlt w/ 4x4

186,000 km on it ( 115,500 miles)

has a loud tap to it, sounds just like the valves tappin on my 93 aerostar, except a WHOLE lot louder, like half a block to a block away you can hear it tappin...it doesnt bug me, the sound that is but i need to be able to trust this beast...last owner did oil changes every 5000 and all that good stuff, i took a look i noticed oil was a bit low, wasnt too bad though but yea...

so trying to get this thing to run better, i'll change the oil through some new stuff in there, i was gonna change the plugs...woundering which ones you guys would recommend (something common as I only have a NAPA in my town)

and i was considering a seafoam treatment, i just was gonna ask what you guys think about the head gasket...some people say that the carbon is holding some gaskets together and when u clean it there goes the gasket...but I really can't afford that kinda mishap...but if you guys think its unprobable then i'll do the seafoam

and anyother advice would be helpfull!

*Anime* · 07-06-2007, 04:23 PM

best bet is try the standard Mass Airflow Sensor cleaning along with disconnecting the battery for awhile, then reconnect, start and let idle for 5 min, then take a spin to see if that fixes the valve clatter. Might wanna throw in a new air cleaner, too. For plugs, best bet is always the OEM Motorcraft. Not sure if NAPA carries them but some parts stores do. If you have a Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealer, sometimes their prices aren't too bad if they make you a deal when you get 6 plugs.

As for seafoam, might wanna give it a go, half in the gas tank and half into the engine through a vacuum hose or something, read up on the seafoam threads for ideas on how to do it.

dkitt10 · 07-07-2007, 02:36 PM

kay, well did the battery thing, changed oil flushed the antifreeze and kinda let her run awhile and it quitened down quite a bit but it was still pretty loud, like most fords i've played with have a bit of valve noise but this was still too loud

seafoam fixed er right up now though...runs smoooooth

still need to do the MAF i'll get on that later

and a question, bare with my noobiness...i dont know much about 4x4's but the centre 4x4 emblem on the two front wheels get's quite hot while driving....hubs are shot?

*mikeinri* · 07-07-2007, 06:27 PM

I seriously doubt your hubs are shot just because they got hot when you drive. They are installed directly against the brake rotors, so heat will naturally dissipate through the metal and heat them up.

Having said that, I've never actually touched them after driving (just doesn't seem like a good idea).

Your best bet is to search this forum, remove and clean out the hubs. I am assuming you have the auto hubs. When they go back in, they ONLY get lubed with a light coating of ATF. This is normal PM for these hubs.

If you are really concerned about whether they are working or not, do a search here on how to test your 4x4, and listen for odd noises, improper operation, etc.

Hope this helps.

Mike

dkitt10 · 07-08-2007, 03:32 AM

how can i tell if auto or manual...if they have a turn dial or not?

*Anime* · 07-08-2007, 10:02 AM

Well, only the auto hubs have a 4x4 emblem, the manuals have the turn dial.

The hubs are sandwiched between the brake rotor and the wheel, so they will get pretty warm with stop & go driving or after using the brakes. The only thing you want to be really sure of with the auto hubs is that they are properly disengaged after using 4x4 and going back to 4x2, usually just backing up 10-20 ft does it, but sometimes I back it up until I run out of road or parking lot, or go forward and then back up again.

Auto hubs are only shot when they don't engage. Even then, you can disassemble them and repair them easily and cheaply, check out the auto hubs threads for info.

dkitt10 · 07-08-2007, 12:19 PM

the only reason im questioning is the last owner said the hubs are shot...but he also said they were manual hubs but they are automatic

like the 4x4 might work i just dont know how to test...

i searched and i tried putting it in park in 2x and twisting the drive train that goes into the front transaxle or differental or whatever the front one is called....it would move about 1 inch also twisting the axles of the front...which actully made the vehicle roll back like quarter inch

i put it in 4x4 drove a couple feet tried the same thing and same thing happened...

i then took it outa 4x4 and drove back...after about 20' i heard a clunk...so i tried it again and same thing...not sure what that means

i may even be doing something wrong

i searched for a more detailed diagnosing 4x4's but couldnt find anything...

i took it to the backalley in the gravel...in 2x she would spin out hardcore...when i put her in 4x4 she wouldnt spin...shed grab and take off no spinning...i put it back in 2x and she spinned again

which im assuming 4x4 works...id just like to learn more about this system and diagnosing if anything does happen...thanks..

edit2: after playing with the 4x4 i could hear a wirring/clicking noise from my front right wheel it went away after about 20 km

*mikeinri* · 07-08-2007, 07:19 PM

Not sure how much searching of this forum you've done, this has been answered many, many times. Searching does take a lot of time for some topics, though.

Anyway, there are a few ways to test this:

The proper way to test the system is to jack up the truck so all four tires are free, get a helper and start engaging/disengaging the system while observing what happens.

The $1.95 beauty show test: Get on LOOSE gravel, stop and engage 4x4. Turn steering wheel sharply to the left, then give it some gas (don't kill it). You should feel the front wheels "bucking" if the 4x4 is working. Turn the steering wheel the other way and repeat.

Most often with auto hubs, people have trouble getting them to DISengage. This often leads to a clicking noise from one (or both) front hubs. The most common cause of this is excessive (meaning ANY) grease in the auto hubs or around the plastic cam. This causes the parts to bind and the hubs stay engaged after the axles are disengaged.

Hope this helps...

Mike

dkitt10 · 07-08-2007, 08:19 PM

yea 4x4 seems to work perfectly...im gonna clean the hubs anyways...more like preventitve maintence but yea thanks for the help

anything else i should know bout this truck?

07-06-2007, 01:43 PM	#1
dkitt10 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	aquired explorer, just need advice!! rusted old 91 xlt w/ 4x4 186,000 km on it ( 115,500 miles) has a loud tap to it, sounds just like the valves tappin on my 93 aerostar, except a WHOLE lot louder, like half a block to a block away you can hear it tappin...it doesnt bug me, the sound that is but i need to be able to trust this beast...last owner did oil changes every 5000 and all that good stuff, i took a look i noticed oil was a bit low, wasnt too bad though but yea... so trying to get this thing to run better, i'll change the oil through some new stuff in there, i was gonna change the plugs...woundering which ones you guys would recommend (something common as I only have a NAPA in my town) and i was considering a seafoam treatment, i just was gonna ask what you guys think about the head gasket...some people say that the carbon is holding some gaskets together and when u clean it there goes the gasket...but I really can't afford that kinda mishap...but if you guys think its unprobable then i'll do the seafoam and anyother advice would be helpfull!

07-06-2007, 04:23 PM	#2
Anime GREEN SCREAM!! Hattiesburg, MS '93 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,994 Vehicle Specs	best bet is try the standard Mass Airflow Sensor cleaning along with disconnecting the battery for awhile, then reconnect, start and let idle for 5 min, then take a spin to see if that fixes the valve clatter. Might wanna throw in a new air cleaner, too. For plugs, best bet is always the OEM Motorcraft. Not sure if NAPA carries them but some parts stores do. If you have a Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealer, sometimes their prices aren't too bad if they make you a deal when you get 6 plugs. As for seafoam, might wanna give it a go, half in the gas tank and half into the engine through a vacuum hose or something, read up on the seafoam threads for ideas on how to do it. __________________ "I think man has always gone where he has been able to go, and I think that when man stops going where he can go, he will have lost a lot. Man has always been an explorer. To me, there's a fascination in thrusting out and going to new places. It's like going through a door because you find the door in front of you." - Michael Collins

07-08-2007, 10:02 AM	#6
Anime GREEN SCREAM!! Hattiesburg, MS '93 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,994 Vehicle Specs	Well, only the auto hubs have a 4x4 emblem, the manuals have the turn dial. The hubs are sandwiched between the brake rotor and the wheel, so they will get pretty warm with stop & go driving or after using the brakes. The only thing you want to be really sure of with the auto hubs is that they are properly disengaged after using 4x4 and going back to 4x2, usually just backing up 10-20 ft does it, but sometimes I back it up until I run out of road or parking lot, or go forward and then back up again. Auto hubs are only shot when they don't engage. Even then, you can disassemble them and repair them easily and cheaply, check out the auto hubs threads for info. __________________ "I think man has always gone where he has been able to go, and I think that when man stops going where he can go, he will have lost a lot. Man has always been an explorer. To me, there's a fascination in thrusting out and going to new places. It's like going through a door because you find the door in front of you." - Michael Collins

07-08-2007, 12:19 PM	#7
dkitt10 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	the only reason im questioning is the last owner said the hubs are shot...but he also said they were manual hubs but they are automatic like the 4x4 might work i just dont know how to test... i searched and i tried putting it in park in 2x and twisting the drive train that goes into the front transaxle or differental or whatever the front one is called....it would move about 1 inch also twisting the axles of the front...which actully made the vehicle roll back like quarter inch i put it in 4x4 drove a couple feet tried the same thing and same thing happened... i then took it outa 4x4 and drove back...after about 20' i heard a clunk...so i tried it again and same thing...not sure what that means i may even be doing something wrong i searched for a more detailed diagnosing 4x4's but couldnt find anything... i took it to the backalley in the gravel...in 2x she would spin out hardcore...when i put her in 4x4 she wouldnt spin...shed grab and take off no spinning...i put it back in 2x and she spinned again which im assuming 4x4 works...id just like to learn more about this system and diagnosing if anything does happen...thanks.. edit2: after playing with the 4x4 i could hear a wirring/clicking noise from my front right wheel it went away after about 20 km Last edited by dkitt10; 07-08-2007 at 02:07 PM.

07-07-2007, 02:36 PM	#3
dkitt10 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	kay, well did the battery thing, changed oil flushed the antifreeze and kinda let her run awhile and it quitened down quite a bit but it was still pretty loud, like most fords i've played with have a bit of valve noise but this was still too loud seafoam fixed er right up now though...runs smoooooth still need to do the MAF i'll get on that later and a question, bare with my noobiness...i dont know much about 4x4's but the centre 4x4 emblem on the two front wheels get's quite hot while driving....hubs are shot?

07-07-2007, 06:27 PM	#4
mikeinri Elite Explorer 94 XLT, 04 Explorer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 881 Vehicle Specs	I seriously doubt your hubs are shot just because they got hot when you drive. They are installed directly against the brake rotors, so heat will naturally dissipate through the metal and heat them up. Having said that, I've never actually touched them after driving (just doesn't seem like a good idea). Your best bet is to search this forum, remove and clean out the hubs. I am assuming you have the auto hubs. When they go back in, they ONLY get lubed with a light coating of ATF. This is normal PM for these hubs. If you are really concerned about whether they are working or not, do a search here on how to test your 4x4, and listen for odd noises, improper operation, etc. Hope this helps. Mike

07-08-2007, 03:32 AM	#5
dkitt10 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	how can i tell if auto or manual...if they have a turn dial or not?

07-08-2007, 07:19 PM	#8
mikeinri Elite Explorer 94 XLT, 04 Explorer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 881 Vehicle Specs	Not sure how much searching of this forum you've done, this has been answered many, many times. Searching does take a lot of time for some topics, though. Anyway, there are a few ways to test this: The proper way to test the system is to jack up the truck so all four tires are free, get a helper and start engaging/disengaging the system while observing what happens. The $1.95 beauty show test: Get on LOOSE gravel, stop and engage 4x4. Turn steering wheel sharply to the left, then give it some gas (don't kill it). You should feel the front wheels "bucking" if the 4x4 is working. Turn the steering wheel the other way and repeat. Most often with auto hubs, people have trouble getting them to DISengage. This often leads to a clicking noise from one (or both) front hubs. The most common cause of this is excessive (meaning ANY) grease in the auto hubs or around the plastic cam. This causes the parts to bind and the hubs stay engaged after the axles are disengaged. Hope this helps... Mike

07-08-2007, 08:19 PM	#9
dkitt10 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	yea 4x4 seems to work perfectly...im gonna clean the hubs anyways...more like preventitve maintence but yea thanks for the help anything else i should know bout this truck?