2003 Explorer possible purchase

[JediKnight2]

I am looking to pick up a used 2003 Explorer XLT V8 4x4 and found what looked like a nice one today. It had a few things that I haven't gotten an answer to though that have bothered me. First, the frit around the edge of the windshield was streaking...like coming off in streaks. It was happening all around the windshield. When I say streak I mean like if you were to squirt something on the window and the liquid ran down onto it. Never seen that before and am curious what could cause it.

Second, I didn't take the vehicle on an extremely long ride, but even on high it didn't seem like the volume of air coming out of the vents was what should be coming out. This exact same thing happened on a 2005 yesterday when we looked. I'm just wondering if maybe the vehicle has to sense the right temperature for the air before it starts blasting it out at full speed. Again, the blow motor changed speeds, just not blasting air. Figured someone with one of those years could verify for me about that.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

1. probably just needing a new windshield wiper
2. it's a common issue for the ac recirculate door to snap and fall blocking the blower. Some (and I) just pull out that door to prevent it from blocking the air coming from the blower. The fresh air inlet has to be closed to maximize ac and heat. If you're lucky it could be just the connector that snapped..otherwise the correct fix is to remove the dash.
I'll be more concerned on when the transmission was last serviced.

 

[JediKnight2]

The windshield thing is on the inside. The black epoxy paint , frit?, that's on the edge all the way around the interior of the windshield.

Vehicle has been WELL maintained as far as I could tell.

 

[Number Twelve]

Crud on the inside of the windshield puts me in mind of the drains for the window in the ceiling. Does it have a, "moon roof"? The ceiling window has drains that get plugged up, then it drools toward the front.

As for the outdoor air flap, you can sneak in by splitting the case behind the glove compartment and frisbee the flap. Then lift the windshield wiper cowling and seal up the air intake hole.

 

[JediKnight2]

Thanks for the answers. Yes, it does have a sun roof, slide back type. I wouldn't think that water would do that to the enamel, but maybe under the right circumstances it could. I'm passing on this one though. I didn't realize there were spark plug blow out issues with the V8s and I'm not looking to chase that issue down with the high costs of repairs for it.

 

[JediKnight2]

Just to verify what to steer from.
2006-2008 Explorers with V8s for spark plugs breaking issue
2002-2005 Explorers with V8s for the spark plug blow outs

 

[Number Twelve]

Just to verify what to steer from.

More than one person here recommends you steer away from:
Ford Explorers

I've had mine for almost 2 years and I still haven't got the dome light to shut off because there is a short inside the instrument cluster computer. I don't know how much it would cost to have a dealership computerly enable a junk yard replacement instrument cluster, but I'm not gonna ask. (The dealership will probably demand to sell me a new instrument cluster instead of enabling a used instrument cluster in the onboard computers.) I'm just going to drill a hole in the door frame, insert a door switch, and run a new wire for the dome light. Explorers are that hard to repair.

 

[JediKnight2]

Thanks for the input! I realize that there are problems with almost all makes/models. I have a GMC Jimmy that's prone to oil cooler line breaks and intake manifold gasket issues. I'm just trying to steer clear of the most expensive issues. Seems like in the Explorers that's fords with the V8 as both spark plug issues happened in that engine.

 

[Number4]

4.6l or go buy a Corola.

Make sure they didn't replace the front window and used RTV or silicon instead of the proper stuff.

 

[imp]

"I still haven't got the dome light to shut off because there is a short inside the instrument cluster computer"
The dome light is ****, anyway; why don't you just cut the ****ing wire, and be done with it?? im[p

 

[2Trux]

I didn't realize there were spark plug blow out issues with the V8s and I'm not looking to chase that issue down with the high costs of repairs for it.

I think the spark plug blow out with the V8 is less of an issue and cheaper to fix than the timing chain problems that the 4.0 V6 have. I have over 200K on my 4.6 V8 without having any plug problems. From what I have read on this forum the V8's have far fewer problems than the V6's. (This might be because the 4.0 V6 is far more common.)

The windshield issue may have been caused by having the windshield removed to reseal it. The black could have been scratched off while trying to remove the old sealant.