Buying my first Explorer - advice needed

[Wagner Godoy]

Hi,

I am looking for a good and affordable Explorer Limited to buy, which will be my first one. Previously I had a 1996 Ranger V6, and loved that stuff. I found a 1998 Explorer Limited (see pics) and plan to check it out personally next Saturday. I'd like to hear from you veterans, what kind of things I should pay attention to (differential noises, etc) in order to determine if the SUV is in decent condition, or else has costly problems hidden in. Any help is appreciated.

The car is in another city, some 100 miles away. Interestingly, that city is named "Americana" and for good reason: it was founded in the latter XIX Century by Confederate immigrants, who fled the leveled South after the Civil War. I've never been there myself (nor I have any Confederate ancestry) but I plan to stop by and check what there is there to see. I am told that there is a good museum and also the old Confederate Cemetery, where the former soldiers and their families were laid to rest. Anyone interested, check here: http://www.confederados.com.br/index.htm

Thanks
Wagner

This is the targeted Explorer:

 

[1996xlt]

It looks like its a V8, and if thats the case it has a pretty strong drivetrain. Other than having a keen ear while on the test drive, if possible run the VIN number through carfax to see if its been in any major accidents. I'm sure a more seasoned Limited owner will chime in, good luck!

 

[marragtop]

Make sure the 4x4 works, and that the trans shifts smoothly. If you are getting this from a dealer, insist on a carfax report.

 

[Wagner Godoy]

It looks like its a V8, and if thats the case it has a pretty strong drivetrain. Other than having a keen ear while on the test drive, if possible run the VIN number through carfax to see if its been in any major accidents. I'm sure a more seasoned Limited owner will chime in, good luck!

Make sure the 4x4 works, and that the trans shifts smoothly. If you are getting this from a dealer, insist on a carfax report.

Thanks guys. The engine truly is the venerable V8 5.0 liter, but I'm afraid that the Carfax report won't work in this case, since the car was imported into Brazil brand-new, so no history in US.

And talking about V8, is this engine far different from the old 302 Windsor? I own a Brazilian-made 1981 Ford Landau (Galaxie platform with the body stiled after the Lincolns of late 60s and early 70s). It carries the good 302 carbureted, and runs originally on ethanol (at that time the Brazilian alcohol program was just begining).

 

[TequilaSnrs087]

I would check for the usual things. Crawl under and look for leaks, check the dip stick for varnish (indicates oil was not changed frequently enough), make sure the transmission fluid is a healthy clear red color, drive it at highway speeds and listen for rumbling and vibrations. It is hard to tell, but judging from the last pic that truck may need new tires.

Also, see if the cruise control switch has been replaced. Your truck is a 1998, so it should have been recalled. I know it sounds like something small, but mine made a nice burning smell the other day.

 

[1996xlt]

Pretty much the same engine, with exception of EFI, roller cam, good intake design and good flowing cylinder heads.

 

[Wagner Godoy]

I would check for the usual things. Crawl under and look for leaks, check the dip stick for varnish (indicates oil was not changed frequently enough), make sure the transmission fluid is a healthy clear red color, drive it at highway speeds and listen for rumbling and vibrations. It is hard to tell, but judging from the last pic that truck may need new tires.

Also, see if the cruise control switch has been replaced. Your truck is a 1998, so it should have been recalled. I know it sounds like something small, but mine made a nice burning smell the other day.

Pretty much the same engine, with exception of EFI, roller cam, good intake design and good flowing cylinder heads.

Thanks for the input. Yes, the car needs new tires and this is the only issue the seller aknowledges to. If I ever buy it, I'll change all fluids and filters as usual, and have the suspension and steering checked. But then it will be too late to find out that the stuff has serious transmission, engine or 4x4 problems.

Later,
Wagner

 

[Wagner Godoy]

Thanks for the input. Yes, the car needs new tires and this is the only issue the seller aknowledges to. If I ever buy it, I'll change all fluids and filters as usual, and have the suspension and steering checked. But then it will be too late to find out that the stuff has serious transmission, engine or 4x4 problems.

Later,
Wagner

Last Saturday I checked the Explorer. What I found:

- the body and painting seems very good, looks original. It's is unlikely that the car has crashed.

- the leather upholstery is intact, with no holes. But the original gray color is fading in some points, mainly in the steering wheel leather cover. Is there a paint to retouch it??

- the "check engine" warning was on all the time, and while the engine runs smoothly on idle, it oscillates the RPMs when geared and still. My guess is EFI and/or dirty/worn-out spark plugs.

- when you shift from P or N to D or R you hear a "click" when the tranny is engaged. It is not loud or rough, but not silent and smooth as it should be. My guess is low fluid. Any other opinions?

- the sides don't carry the "4x4" logo nor there is a "AUTO/HIGH/LOW" button. I checked the VIN code and it tells me that the car is AWD, so I assume that 4x4 is there and is permanent. Correct??

- other than that the test drive was positive: the car is smooth to drive, reasonably silent (I couldn't hear anything from the transmission), no apparent leaks, the gearbox shifts and downshifts appropriately and the V8 looks strong. It was some 64k miles on the odometer, which is consistent to the local usage.

I am serious on buying that Explorer, and the seller will provide a full revision (injection, transmission and tranny), as they provide a standard 3-month warranty. The guy told me that he personally drove the SUV to Rio de Janeiro (500 miles round trip) and the it was trouble-free.

On a side note, I paid a visit to the nearby Confederate Cemetery (where some of the Confederate emigrants and their families are buried). It well worth the visit and anyone interested in the few pics I took, let me know in private.

Thanks
Wagner