92 X 170k

[DeagleDave]

mine is a 5 speed manual, with this kind of mileage what kind of things should i look for on the horizon? timing chain? already had the tranny done at 134k. the valve covers leak about a quart per 3k miles. it is easy to change the gasket/seal on those? i'm trying to plan ahead being that i'm a college student with not much income.

 

[410Fortune]

OIL PUMP, TIMING CHAIN, AND WATERPUMP WONT LAST LONG...

If you pull the engine to do all this stuff (have to for oil pump) you can do the head gaskets and valve covers at the same time, or you can buy a rebuilt engine (pretty close to same thing, minus machine work)

Now you also probably need a EGR valve (if equipped) 02 sensors, sprak plugs and wires, fuel filter, and some other tune up items, like clean the IAC, upper intake, throttle body, and MAS.

You're pushing it....However I have seen OHV 4.0L's go 220K miles before anything major lets go.......

 

[DeagleDave]

thanks for the info 410,

mine doesn't have EGR have replaced/cleaned most everything on your list except need to do the plug wires again and have yet to do O2 sensor. checked the prices on the O2 sensor and from ford it's $70 is that right??? what kinda plug wires would you or anyone else recommend? the ones that i put on about 70k miles ago were whatever ford recommended, does 7mm sound right??? i suspect that my water pump is about to go, i live in orlando and it's hot here to begin with and my truck constantly runs at the far end of "normal" with the ac running. i have replaced the thermostat and the radiator and changed the coolant but this has no effect on the temp. would that be water pump? on my 89 F150 i pulled off the water pump at around 110k and was surprised to find 1 rusty fin left on there, could this be the case with my X?

 

[410Fortune]

Could be, I would also check the condition of you fan clutch and look at the fan itself. I bet if you look close at the fan hub (white nylon) you will find cracks.

If yes then replace it! the later model trucks have 11 blades and cool better.

Also check to see that you have the full fan shroud, or get one! Some of the 91's and 92's could really benefit from using the later model radiator, clutch, fan, and shroud.

Your plug wires may be fine, if not go for Taylor Spiro 8mm wires, they are a perfect fit shipped to your door for about $30.

02 sensors last 60K miles. Stay away from Bosch. If you shop around you can find them cheaper. Napa sells Echelin brand or whatever and they work great!

On a 92 4.0L you will probably have a single 02 sensor but it is possiblt that you have two, may want to get under the truck and look.
Do you have a MAP sensor? (I bet you do...)

Thats about it! You didnt say you were having any problems with the truck, how does it run?

 

[MyExpWork]

Hey, I have a 91 with 160,000, don't be going and telling me that the oil pump, water pump and timing chain aren't gonna last much longer.

I don't wanna do all that stuff...Thats major work man. Oh well, it'll give me an excuse to put a new engine (maybe 5.0) or buy a brand new explorer V-8.

 

[410Fortune]

Thats right! I know you dont want to hear it, but he asked.

Also my 2.9L went 180K with a waterpump and some valve cover gaskets, and it was still running.

Also I know a place that has a 88 Ranger as their parts truck. It has over 300K miles on the ORIGINAL 2.9L, the same engine has easten up like 3 driveshafts (extended cab) and 4 clutch's, but the darn thing has never blown a timing chain, never had the valvtrain worked on, nothin! and it hauls parts everyday....talk about getting your $$$'s worth!!!

So there's the good news.........

 

[DeagleDave]

i have 1 O2 sensor

what does a fan clutch run? can i put that 11 paddle fan on my 92? and where did you get those Taylor Wires from?

 

[410Fortune]

hmmm good questions....

I got my Taylor wires on line, I think from here:
www.truckperformance.com
They are one of the only manu.'res that make performance wires for the OHV 4.0L, cut to length and sealed.

You can put any Explorer radiator, fan, and clutch in your Ex. I would reccommend the Modine 4 core aluminum radiator, They run about $150 and are twice the size of your currect radiator (I'm guessing you have the smaller copper radiator, since it's a 92 and you run at RAL in the gauge)

The replacement nylon fan is about $35 from Ford, all the early years crack, if it cracks all the way through and lets go it can take out your radiator, hood, waterpump, belt tensioner, and a life or two. I have yet to see a pre 95 Ford that didnt have a cracked nylon fan, though I have never seen one let go.

The fan clutch you can get at any good parts store, they are about $30-60 depending.

You need a special fan tool to make your life easier, youcan get the fan clutch off without it but it's a heck of a lot easier with the right tool, most places will loan you the two wrench's.

Also it is a little known fact that the fan shroud is a HUGE factor in cooling. IF you have a fan shroud that is really thin (doesnt cover the whole fan blade when looking from the top) then you can consider swapping to a larger shroud. The 86+ BII's have a HUGE full shroud that will bolt to any 4.0L radiator. Most Explorers after 95 have all this stuff, especially the automatics with tow packages.

This simple "junk yard" upgrades can get your cooling system up to par.... the 91's and 92's are notorious for running hot.....

 

[DeagleDave]

thanks for the info, i'll definately check that cooling system stuff out. i don't know how you got those taylor wires for 30 on that site you gave me they're about 50. is 8mm sufficient of would 9mm be better? also is ford the best place to get that O2 sensor?

 

[X-1]

high miles

After reading this post, I had to run outside and check my fan! Whew everything okay, I've got a 174,000 miles on mine and it runs cool, and has great oil pressure. We took it to Gatlinburg last month with no surprises, 900 miles in three days, good maintanance is the key. I would fix those leaks, and cooling problem, mine runs cool but I have seen alot of 4.0s that don't, even in the mazda trucks they run hot.