Things to check before buying

Route66 · 08-27-2008, 08:03 PM

Hi All!

Newbie to the Explorer World Here...Looking at buying a 94 Explorer XLT....description says "We have put new radiator in it, brake pads, plugs, ball joints, u-joints, major tune up all in the last two years. Power everything, 4x4 works awesome in snow. Extra vehicle only reason we are parting.Car is in good shape.Miles 270K highway. "

Higher mileage...but highway helps...and alot of the maintance seems to already be done as far as the joints/plugs/radiator/etc. Anything else should I ask the owner/look for when I go check it out?

He's asking $1000..which is wayyy too high..whats a fair price? Its in good condition inside/out with very minimal rust near running boards & 1 wheel well trim....

so, come on fellow explorer lovers! Help me out here with your advice/opinions. Thanks!

Masterd · 08-27-2008, 08:18 PM

Sounds like a fair price for the condition its in.

Route66 · 08-28-2008, 09:06 AM

He did say it has the original motor/trans..but 270k miles on the trans doesnt sound right...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route66

Hi All!

Newbie to the Explorer World Here...Looking at buying a 94 Explorer XLT....description says "We have put new radiator in it, brake pads, plugs, ball joints, u-joints, major tune up all in the last two years. Power everything, 4x4 works awesome in snow. Extra vehicle only reason we are parting.Car is in good shape.Miles 270K highway. "

Higher mileage...but highway helps...and alot of the maintance seems to already be done as far as the joints/plugs/radiator/etc. Anything else should I ask the owner/look for when I go check it out?

He's asking $1000..which is wayyy too high..whats a fair price? Its in good condition inside/out with very minimal rust near running boards & 1 wheel well trim....

so, come on fellow explorer lovers! Help me out here with your advice/opinions. Thanks!

ilh · 08-28-2008, 12:38 PM

route66,

im checking one out myself so im whipping up a big checklist...
are you willing to get on your hands and knees and root around?

Route66 · 08-28-2008, 03:14 PM

The check engine light is an EGR valve sensor. The repair is going to cost 310. He did look it over and it has a small antifreeze leak around the timing case, said not an issue other than keeping an eye on fluids, just seeping. Everything else appears ok.

He's willing to sell it to me for 1200 w/ repairs done...or my best offer w/o the repairs being done....

This being said...is any of this anything to be concerned with combined with the mileage? He says it drives fine with the CEL on..and the EGR valve sensor isnt a big deal so i can just get thet replaced when i have the money....

Is the antifreeze leak around the timing case any issue?

*safn1949* · 08-30-2008, 09:11 PM

Man,that's a lot of miles,too many for me and I'm a mechanic.There are just too many better deals out there with a lot less miles on them,you may pay a little more but you really do get what you pay for. Having said that,if you can get it for $800 or so and it lasts 6 months with no trouble....sure why not,but it's not a keeper.Don't worry about the EGR,the trucks not worth a $300 fix and really not worth $1200

tommyt · 08-31-2008, 01:38 AM

I have a 91 XLT with 420,000K. Runs great, uses about 1 litre engine oil per month. Trans is fine. Power everything and everything works. Paid $250 for it. (which was a very good deal) The truck you've described would go for about $600-$800 around here.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/Explorer.jpg

Route66 · 09-01-2008, 05:57 PM

Another update..since it has the 5-digit odometer he was going through his own maintance recipts and it actually has 167,000 miles...not 267,000 miles....that should make a huge difference. original trans though..how long can i expect to get out of the original trans on a 94 xlt?

Quote:

Originally Posted by safn1949

Man,that's a lot of miles,too many for me and I'm a mechanic.There are just too many better deals out there with a lot less miles on them,you may pay a little more but you really do get what you pay for. Having said that,if you can get it for $800 or so and it lasts 6 months with no trouble....sure why not,but it's not a keeper.Don't worry about the EGR,the trucks not worth a $300 fix and really not worth $1200

rustbucketMI · 09-02-2008, 01:14 PM

$1000 still sounds like a fair price. ball joints alone will cost you $800 and those have been done. You're biggest issue will be the trans, those motors run forever. 170K is about the limit of those trans'. I'd say drive it, see how the trans feels. If it feels good i'd say go for it

*Blacksheep Josh* · 09-02-2008, 06:07 PM

Doublecheck the balljoints though, make sure they're tight. Also check the bearings, if there's any play ask about it. I'd venture to say there should be no movment when testing if they've just been done.

08-27-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
Route66 Wannabe Elite Explorer Chicago, IL 94 XLT Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Things to check before buying Hi All! Newbie to the Explorer World Here...Looking at buying a 94 Explorer XLT....description says "We have put new radiator in it, brake pads, plugs, ball joints, u-joints, major tune up all in the last two years. Power everything, 4x4 works awesome in snow. Extra vehicle only reason we are parting.Car is in good shape.Miles 270K highway. " Higher mileage...but highway helps...and alot of the maintance seems to already be done as far as the joints/plugs/radiator/etc. Anything else should I ask the owner/look for when I go check it out? He's asking $1000..which is wayyy too high..whats a fair price? Its in good condition inside/out with very minimal rust near running boards & 1 wheel well trim.... so, come on fellow explorer lovers! Help me out here with your advice/opinions. Thanks!

08-28-2008, 03:14 PM	#5
Route66 Wannabe Elite Explorer Chicago, IL 94 XLT Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Update: Known issues The check engine light is an EGR valve sensor. The repair is going to cost 310. He did look it over and it has a small antifreeze leak around the timing case, said not an issue other than keeping an eye on fluids, just seeping. Everything else appears ok. He's willing to sell it to me for 1200 w/ repairs done...or my best offer w/o the repairs being done.... This being said...is any of this anything to be concerned with combined with the mileage? He says it drives fine with the CEL on..and the EGR valve sensor isnt a big deal so i can just get thet replaced when i have the money.... Is the antifreeze leak around the timing case any issue?

08-30-2008, 09:11 PM	#6
safn1949 Elite Explorer Mankato, Minnesota M60A1 my first offroader Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 925 Vehicle Specs	Man,that's a lot of miles,too many for me and I'm a mechanic.There are just too many better deals out there with a lot less miles on them,you may pay a little more but you really do get what you pay for. Having said that,if you can get it for $800 or so and it lasts 6 months with no trouble....sure why not,but it's not a keeper.Don't worry about the EGR,the trucks not worth a $300 fix and really not worth $1200 __________________ 1994 XLT,4.0,3.73 LS 149,000 miles. Need a Panasonic Toughbook? I have them,email me for details.

09-02-2008, 01:14 PM	#9
rustbucketMI Wannabe Elite Explorer Michigan '94 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 150 Vehicle Specs	$1000 still sounds like a fair price. ball joints alone will cost you $800 and those have been done. You're biggest issue will be the trans, those motors run forever. 170K is about the limit of those trans'. I'd say drive it, see how the trans feels. If it feels good i'd say go for it __________________ '94 Explorer XLT - Warn Manual Hubs, Pro Comp Trail lights and agressive tires, 4.6L MAF, Spectre cone filter, flowmaster exhaust '07 F150 - MBRP Exhaust, AEM Cold Air Intake '78 Nova - LSX engine, Ford 9" rear end, Custom roll cage and suspension 2012 Mustang Boss 302 - AM

09-02-2008, 06:07 PM	#10
Blacksheep Josh Slinky+Escalator=Fun Statesboro, GA 1993 Ford Explorer XLT Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,566 Vehicle Specs	Doublecheck the balljoints though, make sure they're tight. Also check the bearings, if there's any play ask about it. I'd venture to say there should be no movment when testing if they've just been done. __________________ "Thunder" Registry R.I.P. 2005-2012 2001 Ford Ranger (New!!) "You can hear me when I'm coming" - Yung Joc

08-27-2008, 08:18 PM	#2
Masterd Wannabe Elite Explorer Upland, CA 1993 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 765 Vehicle Specs	Sounds like a fair price for the condition its in.

08-28-2008, 12:38 PM	#4
ilh Wannabe Elite Explorer richmond, bc '02 ST Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Vehicle Specs	route66, im checking one out myself so im whipping up a big checklist... are you willing to get on your hands and knees and root around?

08-31-2008, 01:38 AM	#7
tommyt Wannabe Elite Explorer Vancouver BC '91 XLT Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs	I have a 91 XLT with 420,000K. Runs great, uses about 1 litre engine oil per month. Trans is fine. Power everything and everything works. Paid $250 for it. (which was a very good deal) The truck you've described would go for about $600-$800 around here. http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/Explorer.jpg