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[DemonMudder]

if it werent challenging, then we'd all have perfect trucks!!! oh wait..... wish i had a perfect truck!

Yeah, but I can't exactly afford to round it out either!! Difficult and ridiculous are two different levels, this is ridiculous! lol

 

[410Fortune]

I use a six sided deep socket and half inch drive if I remember correctly

Don’t forget to inspect the drivers tensioner guide by looking through the oil cap

 

[DemonMudder]

I use a six sided deep socket and half inch drive if I remember correctly

Don’t forget to inspect the drivers tensioner guide by looking through the oil cap

The red sensor won't come out to get a deep socket in there. It's completely unscrewed, but won't pull up like the white one did.

 

[DemonMudder]

The red sensor won't come out to get a deep socket in there. It's completely unscrewed, but won't pull up like the white one did.

It just wobbles around

 

[CDW6212R]

Do not remove or loosen the two sensors from the thermostat housing, ever. Those sensors basically are not serviceable, if they begin to leak, they cannot be resealed to not leak. Take the housing off as one piece, don't touch the OEM 1997-2001ish sensors. The repair 20 years ago was to buy a 2002+ housing and the changed sensors, which was as expensive almost as the later aftermarket housings.

The torque for those tensioners is about 42lbsft IIRC, so a deep well six point socket is best.

 

[DemonMudder]

Do not remove or loosen the two sensors from the thermostat housing, ever. Those sensors basically are not serviceable, if they begin to leak, they cannot be resealed to not leak. Take the housing off as one piece, don't touch the OEM 1997-2001ish sensors. The repair 20 years ago was to buy a 2002+ housing and the changed sensors, which was as expensive almost as the later aftermarket housings.

The torque for those tensioners is about 42lbsft IIRC, so a deep well six point socket is best.

Yeah too late, to be sure, I can buy a new housing and sensor?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Yeah too late, to be sure, I can buy a new housing and sensor?

i say maybe get an aluminum unitfrom simmonz if youre looking at new housing...

https://simmonsautosportz.com/products/ols/products/1997-2001-explorer-ranger-metal-thermostat-housing-sa25-w-clips-and-bolts

 

[CDW6212R]

With the aftermarket housings, you'll have to buy the upgraded sensors, the old type screw in and the later ones use simple clips and an o-ring I believe.

 

[DemonMudder]

With the aftermarket housings, you'll have to buy the upgraded sensors, the old type screw in and the later ones use simple clips and an o-ring I believe.

I'm mostly looking at oem replacements to get it back on the road for now. If I can get aluminum, great, but the soonest I can find is the 22nd for a plastic one with the sensors.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'm mostly looking at oem replacements to get it back on the road for now. If I can get aluminum, great, but the soonest I can find is the 22nd for a plastic one with the sensors.

i say if ye is going through the effort to do it, i say do it the longer lasting way, but by all means you can also go OE New Aluminum Metal Thermostat Housing For 97-01 Ford Explorer Ranger 4.0L SOHC | eBay

suppose this would be highly expensive but More Information for DORMAN 9021996

 

[donalds]

Buy the metal one if you can
Then go to the junk yard for the sensors
Off a sport track

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes the updated version of the thermostat housing is good enough to get it working fine. The real weak links were the sensors, those threads which seize, and the plastic that cracks from loosening them.

 

[DemonMudder]

I'll look for some tomorrow, but yeah, rather get a metal one. I think I've got a ride until. I'll try to get the sensors with it if I can, rather that. If y'all have links for something y'all trust, feel free to send it to me either here or in a pm, please and thank you.

 

[donalds]

I'll look for some tomorrow, but yeah, rather get a metal one. I think I've got a ride until. I'll try to get the sensors with it if I can, rather that. If y'all have links for something y'all trust, feel free to send it to me either here or in a pm, please and thank you.

4.0 SOHC Metal Thermostat Housing Comparison

I obtained 2 thermostat housings for my 2001 Ranger. The original is plastic and not leaking yet but you know how that goes on the 4.0 SOHC. The first one is from Simmons Autosports. I have used theirs before and its a great part, way better than the original plastic one from Ford. Here are...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[Fix4Dirt]

https://simmonsautosportz.com/products/ols/products/1997-2001-explorer-ranger-metal-thermostat-housing-sa25-w-clips-and-bolts

 

[DemonMudder]

Thank you for the links, look into 'em

By the way, not sure how you're supposed to effectively look at the cassette, but when I looked down in there via the oil cap, seemed okay. Didn't find any chunks of anything in the oil either, so think chain wise, we're all good. And the new tensioners are both in, finally managed to wedge my giant wannabe breaker bar of a socker wrench in there and it broke loose finally, so everything's in and back together mostly, did enough to move it somewhere it can sit a few days, hurt to see but it was kind of funny to just hear and see the water just pour right on out! lol

Also, side issue, anybody got the cause for an idle shut off? First time I start her each day, if I don't tap the gas at least once even a little bit, she shuts right back off and doesn't always like to start back up unless my foot is on the gas. Not a huge issue, but it would be nice to know, could be a fuel pump? Did the fuel filter not long ago so that should be fine

 

[donalds]

...look at
Temp sensor
A vacuum leak
Iac

Ill bet on a vac leak

 

[DemonMudder]

...look at
Temp sensor
A vacuum leak
Iac

Ill bet on a vac leak

Alright, thanks, that would be my guess as well since I'm not getting any codes. Soon as I can get her running safely again, I'll try and find it

 

[DemonMudder]

Well, hate to do it, but I ordered an oem replacement for now, it was the only thing I could get before next Tuesday, should be in on Saturday. I'll plan another swap eventually so I can actually have the aluminum one and avoid this happening again. But I'll just have to make due with this for now

 

[DemonMudder]

Morning, CAN NOT, come any sooner. Going to rip that engine bay apart and throw it on in the morning, first thing. But its finally in, late. Work on ordering the aluminum in the next few days, just to have on hand to replace at some point, or if its needed.