1997 Ford Explorer Transmission Slipping/Thermostat Housing Unit

[Ocrob37]

The big challenge I am going to have is summarizing all of this information so it is easy enough for the shop/mechanic to work with. I can't imagine the mechanic spending a ton of time reading all of this information or researching this subject just to save me some money on parts. They just want to order the parts and do the job.

 

[XLTrunner]

You're right...a mechanic isn't going to want to mess with it. You'll first need to find a mechanic or friend who will do this repair for you if you supply the part. If so, you can order what we've described and supply it to them as a complete assembly...just as though they were to order an original assembly from Ford or wherever. It installs the same.

 

[Ocrob37]

I was able to pick up my car yesterday. This shop is a little strange to say the least. I get there and my bill is not ready. The guy at counter said they are still playing with numbers and I can just take the car and come back to pay. I ask the mechanic to show me the leak of the T-stat housing unit. He says you really can't see the exact spot but shows me coolant. I say something looks different and it turns out he did not replace the piece that covers the fan and other parts because he was having trouble getting it to fit and says he will fit it when I come back for the other work. I also notice coolant everywhere under my hood. All over hoses and anything else. He also tells me I need a new Serpentine belt because getting coolant all over it would cause it to stretch and crack. While diving home smoke or steam was coming from my engine probably from all of the coolant that was sitting on everything. The transmission is driving perfectly so far. The mechanic did say I can source my own parts and the reason they like to get them is to make sure nothing is missing and so they can warranty the work. I think I will chance it and buy my own parts. I plan on driving my car this week and then will try to bring it in for the rest of the work next week as long as I can get all of the parts.

 

[Ocrob37]

Ok, I need some advice. If I let the mechanic get the parts from Ford it will be $500, but I will have piece of mind that nothing is missing and it is backed by warranty. The thing is that I am only in this city for another two months so the warranty is really not a huge deal. They have Assembly kits on Amazon. Could I get away with this one and buy a thermostat to go along with it?
Four Seasons 85331 Engine Coolant Water Outlet and Thermostat Housing Kit
I do not plan on keeping my car for more than a year or two. Would this hold up? Also, he is going to replace my Serpentine belt and not charge labor. He wants $65 for the belt. I have seen I can get them for a lot less but if he is willing to use my parts then I have no problem with him making a little money. Thanks for you help!

 

[swshawaii]

^ REPEAT

As XLTrunner can attest in post #46 linked below, DO NOT cheap out with the Dorman or Four Seasons kit. Gates sells a similar kit, but it still uses failure prone threaded sensors. Only modification required for the Motorcraft RH144 lower housing upgrade is removing the protruding bushing sleeves when reusing the old upper housing. Time proven upgrade, do it.

4.0 SOHC plastic thermostat housing | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

 

[Ocrob37]

It looks like I can get clips from Doorman. Please let me know if this order list looks complete?

1997 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6 SOHC

Cooling System : Bypass Hose
MOTORCRAFT KM3269 {#F77Z8548AF} Info
Crossover ALT Flow
$6.69 $6.69

Cooling System : Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal
MOTORCRAFT RG614 {#1L2E8255AA, 1L2Z8255AA} Info
$3.43 $3.43
MOTORCRAFT RG638 {#W702837S300} Engine Coolant Outlet O-Ring Info
$6.38 $6.38

Cooling System : Temperature Sender / Sensor
MOTORCRAFT DY1269 {#3L8Z12A648A, 3L8Z12A648BA, DY1004} SENSOR Info
$21.79 $21.79
MOTORCRAFT SW6146 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} Switch Info
$20.99 $20.99

Cooling System : Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet
MOTORCRAFT RH144 {#2L5E9K478BA, 2L5Z8592BB} Sensor ports clip-in type; not threaded Info
$32.79 $32.79

Cooling System : Thermostat
MOTORCRAFT RT1167 {#2L2E8575AA, 2L2Z8575AA} 190 Degree Thermostat; 70mm Diameter Info
$19.12 $19.12
DORMAN 800019 {#W706800S303, YL8Z14197AA} Info
$3.38 $6.76
Subtotal $117.95

 

[Spuddy]

Looks good! Spot on. Congratulations!

Upgraded parts list and saving hundreds.

I think you're going to like it here.

.

 

[Ocrob37]

I am just concerned the mechanic could have issues figuring out the new lower housing and taking out the bushings and then tell me we need to get more parts etc. I am also hoping the clips will work and that they can reuse the upper housing. XL Trunner do you second Spudder's approval? Thank you all for your help this has been a learning experience.

 

[XLTrunner]

Yep...looks like you're good to go. If it would help, I could run down to the local U Pull yard and get an original style upper housing and drive the brass bushings out for you and send it. All I'd ask is for you to cover my costs...maybe $15 all told with shipping. Might even be able to find a couple of clips to send along for free to help offset the cost.

 

[Ocrob37]

I put in the order earlier and am going to hope for the best. Thanks for the offer on the upper housing, but I should be good. I figure if I am missing any parts or need an upper housing I can always order it.

 

[Spuddy]

The bushings can be hammered out of either the old upper or the new lower fairly easily. Place it on a block of wood with a hole underneath the bushing (to allow it to pass thru) and an appropriate sized socket (or punch) on top to hammer gently on.

 

[Ocrob37]

I just realized I handed the box of parts to the mechanic and did not even check to make sure everything was there. Are these parts fairly small? It can in a fairly small square box.

 

[Ocrob37]

Hello, I have a question for the pros. When I picked up my car they did not put the cover over the fan. They can't find it. I am going to try to get them to get one and put it on, but in case they don't can you please tell me what this part is called? Also, is it ok to drive with this part missing and at what point is it not? (high temps).

 

[XLTrunner]

It's called a fan shroud...and, I would insist they find one and put it on. It's there for a purpose...to direct the air for proper cooling. Can't tell you whether or even IF the truck would run hot without it as much depends on outside temp, humidity, type of driving (stop-n-go,freeway), condition of the engine, etc. But, there's no reason you should have to worry about it if they lost it. And, if I recall, that can't be easily reinstalled in the truck without either removing the radiator or the fan clutch pulley assembly.

 

[Ocrob37]

Oh great. Thanks for the information. When I first picked up my car he had changed the radiator and said the fan shroud did not fit. The second time I picked up my car they said they could not find it or it broke but they would take care of it. This sounds like it could be a fairly major service. I thought this was just a small plastic piece they could screw on. What f'n morons having me leave with out the work being done. I wonder if he put in the wrong size radiator? Is that possible?

 

[XLTrunner]

Yeah...that is some piss-poor service if you ask me. I find it hard to believe they could put the wrong radiator in there. If I were to guess, they put everything back together and then realized they forgot (or, lost) the fan shroud. But, as I said, you can't just slip it back on when the radiator and fan pulley are in place. So, rather than spend more time on it, they sent you on your way thinking you'd not notice or care. Complete b.s...regardless of their reason.

 

[Ocrob37]

I just called the owner and he called it a cowl or something like that. The dude is clueless. His son said they would get the part and take care of it. The owner asks if I can bring car in tomorrow morning and I ask if he will have the part. He says he will have to ask the other mechanic where he put it and that guy does not come in till tomorrow. I am guessing they will not have the part. If these guys try to charge me I will go ballistic. The crazy part is that they could have told me originally the part was cracked and needed to be replaced and I would have never known. They made the mistake of telling me first it did not fit and then that it was lost. There is obviously no communication between the owner and the two mechanics. It is only in the 20's and 30's where I am at the moment so the shroud is probably not that important. I am guessing it will be important when I drive 5 hours back to San Diego.