2006 XLT explorer questions

[GBstang50]

I am currently driving a 2006 Explorer XLT during an extended test drive.

Upon test driving the truck the first time i noticed the frond drivers wheel bearing was making a ruckus so i had the dealer change that. I drove it home(about 40 miles) and now i can tell one of the spark plug wires seems to be loose because it is misfiring. When it cools down im going to check the wires and make sure to clear that up.

The vehicle has 99k miles. It is black exterior with tan interior. Cloth seats. The head stereo unit has been replaced with aftermarket. It was a one owner car prior to me driving it. I know about the transmission and radiator issues with this year model. What else should i be weary of?

Also what is advancetrac and how do i use it? is it something that can be toggled on and off? At some time in the future i may use this truck as an off road rig on a hunting lease so having 4x4 capabilities would be sweet.

I just noticed after parking the truck that there is a pinging sound coming from underneath. The truck is in park and not running and still making this sound periodically

Thanks for any help, looking forward to this adventure

 

[michael loibl]

Pinging after turning off is normal. Mine does for like 30 min as the exaust cools and contracts. Misfire can be more than loose wire, (bad plug, bad wire or more serious).
Advance trac can be turned off in more than one way,.. Stability control off or traction control off or both. It will partially re engage if you exceed 25 mph or so. Owners manual has a section on this. If truck doesn't have it, I can send a pic of those pages.

 

[GBstang50]

Pinging after turning off is normal. Mine does for like 30 min as the exaust cools and contracts. Misfire can be more than loose wire, (bad plug, bad wire or more serious).
Advance trac can be turned off in more than one way,.. Stability control off or traction control off or both. It will partially re engage if you exceed 25 mph or so. Owners manual has a section on this. If truck doesn't have it, I can send a pic of those pages.

So is advancetrac a feature that enables 4wd or is it just a stability feature? and the owners manual unfortunately did not come with the vehicle

 

[Bobmbx]

If you got the V6, be wary of the timing chains. This is a known issue with the 4.0L engines. My 06 has a new engine, and I lost a Sport Trac. Both of those engines had failed timing chains.

Lots of posts about 4.0L timing chain failures on the forum. See if you can find out if the chains have been replaced.

 

[michael loibl]

4 pages from my manual

 

[michael loibl]

Pictures aren't working as good as I hoped. I believe there is a link on this site to download owners manual. You want pages 212-215

 

[GBstang50]

thanks for that info Michael. ill check for that download

I just drove the car around town for about 30 mins. ran smooth at first but then it got rough again. Then as i pulled into the house the check engine light started flashing.

How would i know if this is a timing issue? I intend on taking it to a mechanic first thing in the morning.

 

[GBstang50]

UPDATE: Check engine light came on last night. I took it to my mechanic this morning. Looks like my gut feeling was right on this one. The misfire is ECU related. Taking the truck back to the dealer today and walking away from it. Still going to be searching for another explorer.