Average Time?

[Joel Barbee]

My question is how long does it take from start to finish to do the lower intake manifold gasket on a 97 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 OHV 4x4?

 

[RangerX]

A friend did mine in my driveway years ago, it took from mid-morning to late afternoon. We spent some time cleaning things though, particularly the buildup in the intake.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[EB4X]

Noticed you live in Glendora.....so I assume you've taken your Explorer to Azusa off road park just north of you... Yes? Any chance you have a brother name Glen too? ... Rare last name....

 

[Joel Barbee]

A friend did mine in my driveway years ago, it took from mid-morning to late afternoon. We spent some time cleaning things though, particularly the buildup in the intake.

Welcome to the forum!

Thank you for your info. It's way to hot today to try and do it. Myself, I was figuring around 4 hrs... Do s that sound about right to you???

 

[Joel Barbee]

Noticed you live in Glendora.....so I assume you've taken your Explorer to Azusa off road park just north of you... Yes? Any chance you have a brother name Glen too? ... Rare last name....

That I do not, I grew up as an only child. And I haven't taken it to Azusa Canyon yet. I need to get this intake leak fixed. The guy I bought it from said it was the lower intake manifold.?.?. I'm thinking it's the upper because of it being plastic and would tent to warp more easily.?.?.? But I could be wrong myself....

 

[EB4X]

Hate to bring this up....but unless you are sure it has been replaced already....you should replace your Cam positioning sensor/ synchronizer while you have the intake(s) off..... they're known to start failing at around 140,000 and up....
See here also:
Ford 3.0L, 4.0L, and 5.0L Camshaft Position Sensor

 

[Joel Barbee]

Hate to bring this up....but unless you are sure it has been replaced already....you should replace your Cam positioning sensor/ synchronizer while you have the intake(s) off..... they're known to start failing at around 140,000 and up....

Hate to bring this up....but unless you are sure it has been replaced already....you should replace your Cam positioning sensor/ synchronizer while you have the intake(s) off..... they're known to start failing at around 140,000 and up....

Thanks for the heads up!!! I'll ask the guy I bought it from if he did that the first time around. Around about what is the cost of the CPS?

 

[EB4X]

Here's one here for around $55 for entire assembly....probably overseas manufactured though.....so might want to buy quality American made assembly
Camshaft Synchronizer For 96-99 Ford Aerostar Explorer Ranger 4.0L V6 HB29J7 | eBay

 

[Joel Barbee]

Here's one here for around $55 for entire assembly....probably overseas manufactured though.....so might want to buy quality American made assembly
Camshaft Synchronizer For 96-99 Ford Aerostar Explorer Ranger 4.0L V6 HB29J7 | eBay

Awesome!!! Thank you for you input!!!

 

[RangerX]

I was figuring around 4 hrs... Do s that sound about right to you???

Maybe, I guess, you’re pretty mechanical. I would at least have a Haynes or chiltons manual right there with you. My friend who did it had done it before on his, and was pretty experienced at tearing down engines.

 

[410Fortune]

4 hours if you have done these before.

It can take an hour just to clean the underside of the LIM, top of the heads, and the block to prepare for the new LIM gasket
I would plan a full day if this is your first time taking the top off a OHV 4.0
The lower intake gasket MUST be installed just right on these engines, dropping the intake back in place with the gaskets and sealant in place is the most critical step....and torquing the bolts...it must be done just right to avoid any leaks.
If your factory cam synchronizer is not making noise now I would leave it in there, the aftermarket CPS sensors are not nearly as good as OEM parts
You will want to re O ring all of your injectors while you have this apart
You will be replacing upper plenum O rings, injector O rings, EGR O ring (if your 99 has egr), valve cover gaskets and lower intake gasket. Fel Pro or victor reinz have good gasket sets for this engine.

Good luck!

 

[Joel Barbee]

4 hours if you have done these before.

It can take an hour just to clean the underside of the LIM, top of the heads, and the block to prepare for the new LIM gasket
I would plan a full day if this is your first time taking the top off a OHV 4.0
The lower intake gasket MUST be installed just right on these engines, dropping the intake back in place with the gaskets and sealant in place is the most critical step....and torquing the bolts...it must be done just right to avoid any leaks.
If your factory cam synchronizer is not making noise now I would leave it in there, the aftermarket CPS sensors are not nearly as good as OEM parts
You will want to re O ring all of your injectors while you have this apart
You will be replacing upper plenum O rings, injector O rings, EGR O ring (if your 99 has egr), valve cover gaskets and lower intake gasket. Fel Pro or victor reinz have good gasket sets for this engine.

Good luck!

It's not making any noise. The engine runs strong, just has that intake leak making run a little lean on both banks... It still passed smog 2 days ago!!! Just need to tear it apart and get it done... The guy I bought it from had already bought the gaskets to do it all minus the O-rings you just mentioned.. Thanks for your information/help!!! Now do you want to help me do it this weekend??? LOL!!! Just kidding...

 

[EB4X]

How many miles are on this?

 

[Joel Barbee]

How many miles are on this?

I think close to 220,000. I'd have to look....

 

[EB4X]

Okay well if the P.O. doesn't know if that assemblies been replaced you HAVE to do that now as well....otherwise have to tear it all apart again probably sooner than later.....as stated before recommended to bite the bullet and spend more on quality brand. As long as you don't overheat this engine it can last to 400K and beyond....therefore replace thermostat as well as preventative - cheap and easy replacement.

 

[Joel Barbee]

Okay well if the P.O. doesn't know if that assemblies been replaced you HAVE to do that now as well....otherwise have to tear it all apart again probably sooner than later.....as stated before recommended to bite the bullet and spend more on quality brand. As long as you don't overheat this engine it can last to 400K and beyond....therefore replace thermostat as well as preventative - cheap and easy replacement.

I did try to put a temp gauge in it and the explorer didn't want to start. Why is that??? Because the original wasn't plugged in to complete the circuit??? Or to send the info to the main CPU??? Just curious as to if I want to go to separate gauges???

 

[Joel Barbee]

How many miles are on this?

218,932 miles on it...