1998 ford explorer suv -- catalytic converter?

[Valas1969]

i never said anything about mechanic. If your happy with him that's great. i just thought maybe it might still be under warranty.
Do you think that you could talk to him about fixing it and maybe take payments or some other arrangements?
I am serious about the damage you could do to the motor, you don't want to have to replace it. Also the reason i say flush the oil with new oil is that it could easily cause rust in the motor. but like i said it's just a suggestion.

 

[mark11]

thx

tHX FOR THE ADVICE...AND I KNOW YOU NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE MECHANIC.

ALL THIS STUFF HIT ME AT ONCE AND WASN'T EXPECTING ANY OF IT WHEN
I HAD THIS ENGINE POPPED IN A FEW MONTHS AGO.

I'D HAVE PREFERRED TO GO WITH A REBUILT ENGINE TO PUT IN, INSTEAD OF A SWAP, BUT IT WAS MONEY DEAL AT THE TIME...AND I TOOK THE BEST SHOT I COULD WITH WHAT I HAD.

I WILL EMPTY OIL TOMORROW, PUT FRESH BATCH IN; CHANGE SPARK PLUGS.
THX AGAIN.

 

[Valas1969]

if it is a small leak maybe you could try stopleak like BARS or alumiseal something like thatbut put in before you change oil and run it for a little but not much. you're taking a big risk by continuing to drive it so i wish you luck i hope nothing else goes wrong with it.

 

[mark11]

Funny you mentioned "bars"...the auto parts store clerk mentioned the same...out of all the brands on the shelf, he showed me "bars"...so i might go that route too. Thx again for your advice...much appreciated

 

[mark11]

Thinkwhat i might do first:

Chage oil...get the bad out
put new oil in
change spark plugs
put in the "bars" sealant
back off a tad bit on tightner on cataly conv. So there's a thin alight gap, so the pressure's released and whatever's been clogging it up hopefully breaks loose...

 

[Valas1969]

Thinkwhat i might do first:

Chage oil...get the bad out
put new oil in
change spark plugs
put in the "bars" sealant
back off a tad bit on tightner on cataly conv. So there's a thin alight gap, so the pressure's released and whatever's been clogging it up hopefully breaks loose...

you might have toasted the cat but i'm no expert on those.

 

[Valas1969]

Good luck.

 

[mark11]

Toasted cat

I'm positive you're RIGHT on the cat. It had over 300,000 miles on it. If I can seal the popped head gasket with SEALaNT for now and replace the CAT w/universal one, I'm cool w/that for 2 months. Then I'll get it in w/more cash and redo a new head gasket.

 

[joecrna]

If you continue to have water in oil and drive it, even a short distance, you may very well wipe out all bearings as mentioned. Best way to check for water in oil is to drain it out and look in the catch basin. By the time you see it under the filler cap it is a significant amount.

 

[Valas1969]

If you continue to have water in oil and drive it, even a short distance, you may very well wipe out all bearings as mentioned. Best way to check for water in oil is to drain it out and look in the catch basin. By the time you see it under the filler cap it is a significant amount.

I tried to tell him the same thing but to no avail. He will be replacing motor if he drives it 600 miles which is twenty miles a day for another month. He should check and see how much a long block from Jasper or some place like that because thats what he's going to end up doing when he blows the motor. :thumbdwn::thumbdwn::thumbdwn:

 

[mark11]

Update....

Changed plugs...5 were fine. One was wet. Put in new plugs, new oil and filter -- no previous shaking, no overheating; put in BARS brand gasket head block sealant. It dries for 12 hours over night now. I'll put another sealant in tomorrow...and just baby the crap out of this engine --

 

[Valas1969]

Update....

Changed plugs...5 were fine. One was wet. Put in new plugs, new oil and filter -- no previous shaking, no overheating; put in BARS brand gasket head block sealant. It dries for 12 hours over night now. I'll put another sealant in tomorrow...and just baby the crap out of this engine --

while the bars might help it not the cure. check your oil every day if goes milky again i would find another means of transport till you fix it.

 

[mark11]

LOOKING AT DOING JUST THAT...TEMP FIX: MONTH OR TWO; get enuff cash saved up for probably a rebuilt w/warranty; CHECK OIL every night; change it if need be every Saturday...and baby the **** out of it. Get a ride with a fellow worker 2 days a week? Truck stays home. No need for wkd travel for few months anyway.

 

[Valas1969]

I understand your situation I've been there before trust me. I just hate to see you ruin your truck. Please make sure you change your filter also.
Right now I just bought a truck before Christmas hoping that the transmission from my other explorer would fit just to find out that it may not because 2002's have an extra sensor in the middle of the transmission that 1999's don't. But I changed my transmission in the 99 to a newer one and am hoping that it is new enough to work. I wish you all the luck in the world that it lasts for you. Keep us posted. Ok

 

[Valas1969]

Here check this out.http://m.advanceautoparts.com/mt/sh...39673&un_jtt_v_unShowExp=true&un_jtt_redirect

Found another site about the same price but no core charges.

 

[Stick4503]

That engine, at least in my zip code is $2500. You will still have a truck with over 300 thousand miles on the transmission, rearend and bearings along with every thing else that will fall apart in the next few miles. You can buy a good used explorer for that kind of cash and still get 4 or 5 hundred from the salvage yard for the old one.

Thats $2500 if you do all the work, Plus oil, antifreeze and other fluids and gaskets. Not to mention AC evap and recharge and replacing the catalytic converters if they are toast.

Cant see paying that kind of money to fix a 16 yr old truck.

 

[Valas1969]

He's in California. I doubt any vehicle is that cheap that will pass their emissions test. They are the toughest on that stuff in the whole nation. Even classic cars have to have catalytic converters.

 

[Valas1969]

Hey mark11, stick4503 might have a point. If you can take out a loan or afford the motor you might want to take a look on craigslist for another explorer if that's what you want to stay with.
http://monterey.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=explorer+

 

[mark11]

Great advice!! All of it!! Don't know why I forgot about CRAIGSLIST. I kinda also knew the TRANNY might be going on its way out just due to the mileage. much to think of these next few months. Next few weeks. Actually took a loan out to drop the used engine in it a few months back. If I transfer with my state job to Sacramento...I can take a bus to work...which solves so much on so many levels and almost importantly...allows me to bank cash for half a year. I felt pretty pleased when I paid the loan off to buy this EXPLORER...thinking I'd have a good year or two of no more truck payments and banking the cash. Thx again...MAJOR MOJO for all's advice

 

[Valas1969]

do you have a 401K that you can take a loan from? i actually have 2 loans against mine for a total of 3 grand. I could have taken one out for almost 7g if i wanted to.