A few questions about '97 Explorer

[dp074]

Please forgive me if these are dummies' questions

1. What is the recommended/allowed fuel types for 97 Explorer 4WD 4.0L? If recommended is Regular, could any harm to the engine be done by using Premium?

2. The vehicle was built in US and exported to a European dealer. Can we say whether it is a US model, or some European modification? Were there any specific European models/modifications of Ford Explorer in 1997?

3. In what situations it is recommended to switch automatic transmission to Neutral? to Park? For how long it is acceptable to stand on brakes in Drive position - what about the traffic light stop?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JoshC]

Hey, welcome to the site. I'm sure if i can't help you then the rest of us can!

1-We've discussed this many times on here and it seems like the premium is a waste. These are built and tested regular gasoline. That's what i've always used and have never had a problem.

2-I have no idea about the european models. I'd say that if it has the steering on the left side, and the guages are all in MPH and little things like that, then you'd be safe to say it's a US.

3-the automatic trannies are extremly weak in the explorers. I don't think there is a limit per say, but if i were in traffic and it is streched as far as you can see, then i'd switch to park. But i'd say that if you're switching from neutral to drive at every light then you're going to do more damage then good in the long run.

You can also use the search function on the gray tool bar toward the top of the page. This site has an endless resource for general questions. But we're here to help.

 

[Opera House]

In any forwatd gear

The clutches will be engaged. This means the torque converter will be slipping like it is supposed to and there will be a load on the engine. Put it in neutral and I suppose theoretically, the forward clutch wears a little. Not something I would worry about. I would drop the pan and tighten the valve body bolts. My 97 were loose and others have commented on this. The 5R55E tranny will blow the valve body gasket if these bolts are ignored long enough. Bought a spare 99 tranny for parts with only 52k with a bad gasket. So it doesn't have to be ancient for this problem. About 9 ft-lb which is only a good hand twist.

 

[Jon Burns]

2. European Explorers- late models - as a rule have a floor shift somewhat similar to a Taurus (?). I'm sure that there will be some with column changes but I think you'll find that they came over as personal imports. Mine has export stickers on lots of parts too. But it is a right hand drive model and these items may be particular to that.

Otherwise apart from that I think X's are pretty much the same wherever they are or wherever they came from.

 

[dp074]

Thank you for your replies.

1. A part of my Question 1 was - could any damage be done to 97 Explorer 4L engine by using Premium fuel? My understanding is that the computer automatically adjusts necessary characteristics according to the type of fuel currently in the system, and if the manual says "Fuel Type: Regular", that actually means "Regular or better", so use of Premium is acceptable also (while not really beneficial and probably just a waste of money). Is that understanding correct?

3. OK, so in what situations the use of Neutral is recommended/justified? I personally never really use it. I stay on Drive on any traffic lights, etc., and switch to Park for longer stops or when need to go out of the car/pay attention to smth else without shutting the engine. However, I've seen the practice of switching to Neutral and engaging the parking brake for the situations described above. I think it's wrong, but can't prove Is there any more or less official information on proper use of automatic transmission gears- links, etc.?

Thanks.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

1. Your engine will not be damaged using premium fuel. But there's no need to waste your money because the engine and the computer software were designed to run on unleaded regular (87 octane and above) as stated in the owner's manual.

2. From what I've observed, only the right hand drivers get the floor shifter, otherwise, it's the column shifter. I seriously don't know how to tell. I guess there's a differenet ID tag location??

3. Well...with an automatic tranny, you can put it in neutral if you want when you're at a stop light but it's absolutely not necessary. Heh...that's what I do most of the time. I don't know why either.

But if you're parking the truck and you decided to put it in neutral and set the parking brake, you won't be able to take the key out because of the shift interlock or whatyoumacallit. It prevents your truck from rolling if you're in neutral or any gears other than park.

Heh...you sounded like you've only been driving a manual tranny your whole life. With automatics, it's as easy as "set it and forget it" type thing. You put it in drive, and you drive. There's no need to switch to neutral when you're stopping at a light. Just remember to stay on your brakes because it'll roll in drive.

I hope this helps a little.

EDIT: I know how to tell!!!! European Explorers have factory clear corners, rear tail light, and the most obvious of all...fender flares!!! The fender flares are gray and the front flares at the fender is bulged out more than our Eddie Bauer models. I think that's it.

 

[fetterjohn]

You know...I put in an intake (KKM) in my '97 XLT SOHC and started using 91 octane "Premium" fuel in California because I wanted to get all the regular fuel flushed out as I was going to put an Apten chip in. The Apten chip didn't fly due to some computer reprogramming problems. But I have since been using 91 octane because it really does make the eninge perform stronger. I put regular in one day when I was on empty and there was a noticably sluggish difference...so I put 91 back in and it started running stronger again. And I don't necessarily really like to pay for it...but the benifits are really that much better that I will continue to use 91 octane.
But maybe my X is a freak...with all of the recalls and TSP's I don't even think that I have an X anymore.

-John

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by dp074
Thank you for your replies.

1. A part of my Question 1 was - could any damage be done to 97 Explorer 4L engine by using Premium fuel? My understanding is that the computer automatically adjusts necessary characteristics according to the type of fuel currently in the system, and if the manual says "Fuel Type: Regular", that actually means "Regular or better", so use of Premium is acceptable also (while not really beneficial and probably just a waste of money). Is that understanding correct?

Thanks.

Actually, using Premium fuel (higher octane) may promote carbon buildup in the engine compared to Regular, and so it isn't a good idea to use it.

Check the end of this post:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=547782#post547782

 

[fetterjohn]

But that post was about engine knock that can be caused from premium fuel use in an OHV engine. I have the SOHC. They're completely different engines. Will it make a difference? Does the same thing happen with all engines made to run on regular that you put premium in?

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by fetterjohn
But that post was about engine knock that can be caused from premium fuel use in an OHV engine. I have the SOHC. They're completely different engines. Will it make a difference? Does the same thing happen with all engines made to run on regular that you put premium in?

You should use whatever fuel they recommend in the owner's manual.

The TSB that I posted was for knocking for the OHV engine, but the carbon build up problem could apply to other engines not designed to use premium fuel. I also have a book "Ford Fuel Injection and Electronic Engine Control" where they warn that using higher octane fuel may lead to carbon build up in engines that were designed to use regular 87 octane fuel.

I quote the paragraph from the book on the second page of this thread:

MPG and Premium Gas