160,000 no tune up...Not sure where to start?

[98xplr5.0]

well the title of this thread say it all... My mom just gave me her 98 5.0L explorer as a gift. The car is in pretty damn good condition.. But has never had a tune up of any kind... It has 160,000 miles on it, the plugs and wires have never been changed. my dumb dad use to tell her dont fix it unless its broke. Now that its mine i want to fix it up... if it runs as good as it does now, with new plugs wire it should run even better? But i just dont know where to start... it seems like so much should of been done much sooner..the car runs great. but some times when i start it, it doesnt catch right away...im so used to turning the key and it starting. I thought maybe it was the little 450CCA battery my mom had in it so i put a new battery in(1000CCA) It turns over so fast and smooth.. it also has a new fuel pump maybe 3 months old.. Im a newb at this kind of stuff so any advice would be greatly appreciated.. thanx -J


98 xlt
5.0l v8
custom air filter

 

[CDW6212R]

Do the long list, start with fuel filter, spark plugs and plug wires. Be gentle with the plug wires, they will pull apart. Put some dielectric grease in the boots when installing them, it helps when they are removed the next time.

 

[98xplr5.0]

Thanx for the advice... Do you think that could be the reason its not starting quickly as it did before?

 

[Tbars4]

...Here are a couple links for some good maintenance info...
http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/service.html

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/exp.html

 

[98xplr5.0]

After looking @ that list i believe i have a hugeeeeeee project in front of me... lol

 

[CDW6212R]

Be careful of advice that you read. Some people are **** about many things, like the guy Bob and changing the coolant each year.

It takes many many years, plus many more, to learn the truth about which parts need replacement when, and whether to buy OEM, cheap parts store brands, or aftermarket.

This forum has a wealth of excellent information, but it is also filled with nonsensical opinions also. Read and judge carefully. Start with the basics, and work toward the problem symptoms, and more advanced work. Regards,

 

[98xplr5.0]

Thanks cdw very useful advice! Im ordering the plugs and wires right now... Does anyone know anything about E3 DIAMONDFIRE SPARK PLUGs? The description for them was(A resistor type spark plug; 14 mm thread; 18 mm reach; 5/8 in. hex; Tapered seat; Copper core; Projected tip; Guaranteed to provide more power while using less fuel, quicker starts and less fouling than competitive standard spark plugs) @ $5.95 a piece is it worth it? how much of a difference if any would i see or feel?

also my check engine light came on today... i believe the code was for a slow response bank 1 sensor 1... thats a oxygen sensor right?

What does this sensor do? Does it effect the performance of the engine?

 

[aldive]

Stick with Motorcraft spark plugs.

Your O2 sensor is most likely not the problem; lokks upstream.

Good luck ...

 

[CDW6212R]

I have a CEL error code in my 302 truck that is for a slow response etc. like you describe. It hasn't affected performance or economy, but since I'm doing major changes to it, it's not a bother yet.

My V6 truck had a P0131 code in December, and it did have poor performance and fuel economy. I changed the RF O2 sensor two weeks ago when it warmed up here.

You will probably be okay with that slow O2 sensor, but the CEL will annoy you, and you will not know of any new codes. I'd get some basic tune up stuff done first, get comfortable with the truck and where everything is. Read up around here to see what it takes to do some things. Browse through the archive of other's repair projects, many threads have very good pictures and descriptions.

The point is that there are a lot of things which can leave you stranded if neglected. I don't think that one slow O2 sensor is going to do it. I need to buy two more O2 sensors now that I have changed one and need to do both sides, both trucks. The rear O2 sensors are for checking on the fronts, I wouldn't mess with those ever unless they did completely fail.

A few online Ford parts sources have the OEM O2 sensors for about $50 each, so about $110 total to you. That is much cheaper than at Ford, or a local parts store for Bosch sensors.
http://www.directfordparts.com/part...&make=10&model=Explorer&year=1998&catalogid=1

 

[98xplr5.0]

Thanks guys very helpful! So your saying if i change one side I have to do both?

 

[aldive]

Thanks guys very helpful! So your saying if i change one side I have to do both?

Don't go replacing parts until you thoroughly diagnose the problem.

 

[98xplr5.0]

The check engine light is on Code P0131 bank 1 sensor 1... Shouldn't i replace that sensor even if it doesn't fix the starting problem? Isnt the code enough of a diagnosis?

 

[CDW6212R]

You could change it, or both front O2's, but that isn't going to be the starting problem. You can get several codes from one faulty part, and usually you do eventually. It is not often so easy to find the bad part from one code, or more than one. Do more common things first, then if little else needs done, then aim for the O2 sensors, with your high mileage.

Often times symptoms come from common parts which should have been replaced before. Do some of the basic first if possible and hope that you find the problems without guessing at other things. It is much much easier to diagnose a symptom if you can go through a list of recent replaced parts. By eliminating a lot of the common stuff, the real problem is easier to find.

It sounds like you have a decent drivable vehicle, it just needs some care to catch up with. Buy an air filter if you don't know how old the other one is. Change the oil and filter regularly and make the list of needs shorter.