mikeinri
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- January 18, 2007
- Messages
- 1,127
- Reaction score
- 6
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 04 Explorer, 94 XLT (RIP)
I apologize in advance for this long post, but you''ll probably agree it's amusing if nothing else...
I really need help determining a good reason NOT to finally give up on my 94 Exporer. This could double as a "How's this for a bad day story."
Currently, the truck has 279,000 miles. Original motor and A4LD. I've replaced the normal wear and tear stuff, but u-joints were just about the most extensive repair this truck has needed.
This is our spare vehicle. It gets parked in the back yard (over dirt/grass). The rust underneath is starting to get worse. It doesn't get driven more than a few thousand miles a year (if that) anymore.
Currently, the front wiper isn't working (probably the ground), and the heater isn't working (probably a combination of the motor and speed control resistor). The windshield is cracked, and the inspection sticker is way overdue.
The "big" problem (as of this morning) was that the brakes have been sort of "mushy" since the last brake job I did (about 2 years ago). I just couldn't seem to get a firm pedal regardless of how much bleeding I did. It was OK, so I thought that was just the way the truck was.
I've been driving my 2004 Explorer as my primary vehicle, so I really noticed the difference in the pedal feel. I thought that I should bring this in for a "professsional" opinion before I spend any money on the issues mentioned above.
SO, I took the 94 to Sears today for a brake system diagnosis. Before I left, I was staring at the master cyliner, nice and dry and full. Followed the lines down to the ABS module, no leaks in sight.
On the way to Sears, the brakes performing were just as they have been for the past several weeks: low, but functional and holding (some) pressure. Sadly, I have a lot of experience with full-on leaks (wheel cylinders, broken hard lines, etc.), and this did NOT feel like that AT ALL...
The truck was in the service area for less than 5 minutes, and the manager tells me that as soon as the mechanic touched the brake, it went right to the floor (funny, it didn't do that to me when I drove it in and parked it for them), and the master cyliner is leaking and all my lines are rotted and leaking. They wanted to keep it overnight and work on it tomorrow. I said, no just give me an estimate and show me the leaks...
Nope, we need to put it on a lift first. Next thing you know, they show me a major leak coming out of the rear supply line (runs along the rail from front to back), and a major leak at the Tee on the rear differential. When I saw this, I'm thinking, How did I have any pressure getting here? More on that later...
I sort of won them over when I said, look guys, this thing has 280,000 miles, I can't spend a thousand dollars to fix this problem. Then they pointed out a rusty fuel line and tried to scare me into thinking it would burst at any moment and turn me into a comet on the way home...
As a point of reference, my rusty fuel line had less rust than DeRocha's in this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1011134
One of the mechanics was genuinely looking concerned about all the rust in general, so I asked if it was serious, as in frame damage, or cosmetic. I didn't see anything that looked catastophic, but he said it looked more than cosmetic in a few spots.
They never showed me any leak at the master cylinder (it was still dry when I got it home).
So, I tell them to wrap it up and I'll pay the $15 inspection fee that I agreed to when I got there. They agreed. I went back to the waiting area. One of the mechanics comes out, whispering to the manager and they go off to talk to someone else. The manager comes back a few minutes later, gives me my keys and says I'm all set. I asked about the fee, he said don't worry about it, but he was looking nervous.
I get in the truck, pedal goes RIGHT to the floor... NOT how I brought it in there.
Knowing I'm srewed and have no way to prove it, I managed to drive it home with no pedal (THAT was no fun). Just when you're having a bad enough day, it started sputtering when I stopped in front of my house to check the mail. Started up my driveway (decent hill), and it stalls. Coasted back down the driveway, managed to stop sort of on the side of the road...
Smoke is coming out of the hood. The cap loosened on the power steering fluid, and that appears to have spewed out onto the hot exhaust and engine...
Did I mention the gas gauge isn't working? No gas in my garage gas can, so I'm off to get gas in the (nice, clean) 2004 Explorer. Of course, even though the gas can is tied down (been through this before), it turns over on the way home and spills gas into my cargo bay. I stopped immediately and it "only leaked a little" and it's supposed to rain/snow tomorrow so I really can't leave the windows open...
GOOD NEWS!!!??? Put the gas in, the 94 started right up and I was able to put the thing away for the night.
NOW WHAT???
Seriously, is it worth the time, aggravation and money to replace all the brake lines (they all look awful), and what about the fuel lines? If I can see rust on one fuel line, in one section, should I be worried about the rest?
I've done brake line jobs before, and I know how little fun they are, everything rusted solid together, all the fittings rounding off when you put ANY sort of tool on them, etc.
I've seen the posts here about how much of a bear the fuel line fittings are, and since I'd be under there, I'd take the time to do it right and I'd drop the tank to finally fix the gauge.
IS IT WORTH ANY OF THIS WORK?????
Remember, 279,000 miles, lots of rust, lots of fluid leaks, but runs great!
Mike
I really need help determining a good reason NOT to finally give up on my 94 Exporer. This could double as a "How's this for a bad day story."
Currently, the truck has 279,000 miles. Original motor and A4LD. I've replaced the normal wear and tear stuff, but u-joints were just about the most extensive repair this truck has needed.
This is our spare vehicle. It gets parked in the back yard (over dirt/grass). The rust underneath is starting to get worse. It doesn't get driven more than a few thousand miles a year (if that) anymore.
Currently, the front wiper isn't working (probably the ground), and the heater isn't working (probably a combination of the motor and speed control resistor). The windshield is cracked, and the inspection sticker is way overdue.
The "big" problem (as of this morning) was that the brakes have been sort of "mushy" since the last brake job I did (about 2 years ago). I just couldn't seem to get a firm pedal regardless of how much bleeding I did. It was OK, so I thought that was just the way the truck was.
I've been driving my 2004 Explorer as my primary vehicle, so I really noticed the difference in the pedal feel. I thought that I should bring this in for a "professsional" opinion before I spend any money on the issues mentioned above.
SO, I took the 94 to Sears today for a brake system diagnosis. Before I left, I was staring at the master cyliner, nice and dry and full. Followed the lines down to the ABS module, no leaks in sight.
On the way to Sears, the brakes performing were just as they have been for the past several weeks: low, but functional and holding (some) pressure. Sadly, I have a lot of experience with full-on leaks (wheel cylinders, broken hard lines, etc.), and this did NOT feel like that AT ALL...
The truck was in the service area for less than 5 minutes, and the manager tells me that as soon as the mechanic touched the brake, it went right to the floor (funny, it didn't do that to me when I drove it in and parked it for them), and the master cyliner is leaking and all my lines are rotted and leaking. They wanted to keep it overnight and work on it tomorrow. I said, no just give me an estimate and show me the leaks...
Nope, we need to put it on a lift first. Next thing you know, they show me a major leak coming out of the rear supply line (runs along the rail from front to back), and a major leak at the Tee on the rear differential. When I saw this, I'm thinking, How did I have any pressure getting here? More on that later...
I sort of won them over when I said, look guys, this thing has 280,000 miles, I can't spend a thousand dollars to fix this problem. Then they pointed out a rusty fuel line and tried to scare me into thinking it would burst at any moment and turn me into a comet on the way home...
As a point of reference, my rusty fuel line had less rust than DeRocha's in this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1011134
One of the mechanics was genuinely looking concerned about all the rust in general, so I asked if it was serious, as in frame damage, or cosmetic. I didn't see anything that looked catastophic, but he said it looked more than cosmetic in a few spots.
They never showed me any leak at the master cylinder (it was still dry when I got it home).
So, I tell them to wrap it up and I'll pay the $15 inspection fee that I agreed to when I got there. They agreed. I went back to the waiting area. One of the mechanics comes out, whispering to the manager and they go off to talk to someone else. The manager comes back a few minutes later, gives me my keys and says I'm all set. I asked about the fee, he said don't worry about it, but he was looking nervous.
I get in the truck, pedal goes RIGHT to the floor... NOT how I brought it in there.
Knowing I'm srewed and have no way to prove it, I managed to drive it home with no pedal (THAT was no fun). Just when you're having a bad enough day, it started sputtering when I stopped in front of my house to check the mail. Started up my driveway (decent hill), and it stalls. Coasted back down the driveway, managed to stop sort of on the side of the road...
Smoke is coming out of the hood. The cap loosened on the power steering fluid, and that appears to have spewed out onto the hot exhaust and engine...
Did I mention the gas gauge isn't working? No gas in my garage gas can, so I'm off to get gas in the (nice, clean) 2004 Explorer. Of course, even though the gas can is tied down (been through this before), it turns over on the way home and spills gas into my cargo bay. I stopped immediately and it "only leaked a little" and it's supposed to rain/snow tomorrow so I really can't leave the windows open...
GOOD NEWS!!!??? Put the gas in, the 94 started right up and I was able to put the thing away for the night.
NOW WHAT???
Seriously, is it worth the time, aggravation and money to replace all the brake lines (they all look awful), and what about the fuel lines? If I can see rust on one fuel line, in one section, should I be worried about the rest?
I've done brake line jobs before, and I know how little fun they are, everything rusted solid together, all the fittings rounding off when you put ANY sort of tool on them, etc.
I've seen the posts here about how much of a bear the fuel line fittings are, and since I'd be under there, I'd take the time to do it right and I'd drop the tank to finally fix the gauge.
IS IT WORTH ANY OF THIS WORK?????
Remember, 279,000 miles, lots of rust, lots of fluid leaks, but runs great!
Mike