Getting ready to pick up a 2002 XLS, have a few questions

[del1650]

Well Monday im supposed to pick up a 2002 Explorer XLS with 85,000 miles. Really a nice vehicle. I went out looking for a SUV for my wife, wasnt even planning on look at the explorer, but once i drove it i was hooked. Anyways there is a few issues i want to get worked out before Monday. First, arent these models supposed to have a 3rd row seat? It looks like there is a place in the cargo area for one to snap in, is it one that is kept out of the vehicle until your ready to use it? Also there is a whining noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. I told the salesman and he took it for a drive and he noticed it, they check it out and told me that it would be fixed as part of the warranty. I hear these are bad for rear end problems? What do you guys think?

 

[Rar]

Owner of a 02 Eddie Bauer

The 02's, like any vehicle, have there potential issues. To some it may seem as luck of the draw. My 02 has about the same mileage and I have just recently replaced the Transmission & Transfer Case. I know of a couple of other 02 owners that are around the 100,000 mile mark and have had no issues. The whinning noise, in the rear end, is a common issue and it can very from a wheel bearing to the rear diff. itself. Good that it will be repaired prior to purchasing. I do not want to disway you in any way other than to tell you, buying any used vehicle is like Russian Roulette. The third Row seat is an option and not all come with them. My does not have the third row seat. I would suggest that if you are buying the vehicle from a Dealer, of sorts, it would not hurt to purchase a warranty.

 

[IZwack]

Definitely purchase the warranty. The early third generations (2002 and 2003?) has had a stream of drivetrain and suspension issues. We've had many users with axle problems (the rear axle is a new design -- a modified version of the 2nd gen's axle), and wacky suspension issues including coil springs that just break in half: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182961. It would perhaps be a wiser choice to step down to a 4-dr 2001 model since those had more a reliable rear suspension. There are 2001 Explorer owners (and its older counterparts) on the forum who are still running their stock rear suspension and axle w/o any trouble while the 2002 (and 2003?) suspensions are suffering from frequent failures.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

del the xls dont come with 3rd row seating. I think usually the xlt and eddie baurer and limited come with the 3rd row seating feature.

 

[del1650]

Ok thanks for all the replies. Yeah its true when you buy a used vehicle you never know what to expect. I think that im gonna have the tranny flushed and filter changed right away. Thanks again for the help.

 

[crash594]

I do not recomend flush just filter change

 

[tower]

I do not recomend flush just filter change

Why? I would not recommend having a flush with cleaner cems but how is removing the old for the new a bad thing? Just a drop and swap gets rid of about 3-6 quarts (drain a long time for 6) on a 12 quart system.

I just did mine myself (not hard) used up 20 quarts of Mobile1 runs great (changed out the solenoid too), infact there is a TSB for just this.

This article supersedes TSB 00-1-5.

ISSUE
The number one cause for repeat transmission repairs is that contamination from the transmission cooler system (lines and tank) will work their way back into the rebuilt or new transmission. For this reason a new transmission cooler flusher has been released, "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" Rotunda Tool number 22-00001.

ACTION
The transmission cooling system (cooler and lines) MUST be flushed every time the transmission is overhauled or replaced in order to minimize the likelihood of repeat repairs. The use of this new "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" (222-00001) is the most effective way to remove contamination from its cooling system. Refer to the following Service Procedure and Equipment instructions (supplied with the "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher").

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Prior methods of cooler flushing have not obtained the level of cooler cleaning and contaminant removal that is required to prevent repeat repairs. The "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" uses heated Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and a pulsating action to loosen system contamination.

Previous equipment used solvents to clean & flush coolers, lines and torque-converters. There are 2 issues with this method:

^ Residual solvent contamination can cause damage to friction bonding materials within the transmission (Clutches and Bands).

^ Lack of fluid heating and agitation prevents this method from completely removing contamination from lines, in-radiator coolers and auxiliary coolers.


Aerosol Solvents should never be used for several reasons.

^ They do not provide the volume necessary to remove heavy contaminants.

^ They evaporate quickly and essentially leave contaminants in pockets, bends, or wherever they are as the solvent dries.

NOTE YOU MUST IDENTIFY THE RETURN COOLER LINE TO START THE BACK FLUSHING PROCEDURE.

A quick way to identify the return cooler line (fluid coming out of the cooler and returning to the transmission) is to locate the return cooler line fitting on the transmission case. Refer to the following lists:

Rear Wheel Drive

^ TORQSHIFT, 4R100, E40D, C6 - The REAR transmission case filling receives the return line.

^ 4R70W, AODE, AOD - The TOP transmission case filling receives the return line.

^ A4LD, 4R44/55E, 5R55E, 5R55N, 5R55W, 5R55S

- The TOP transmission case filling receives the return line.



Front Wheel Drive

^ CD4E - The REAR or Pump End transaxle case fitting receives the return line.

^ 4F27E - The REAR or Cover End transaxle case fitting receives the return line.

^ AXOD, AXODE, AX4S, AX4N, 4F50N - The BOTTOM transaxle cooler line fitting receives the return line.

NOTE IF AN IN-LINE FILTER HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE COOLER LINE, IT MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE FLUSHING THE COOLER OR COOLER LINES.

Purge the cooler and cooler line before flushing:

Located on the "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" is a fluid transfer and purge valve. This valve can be used to purge the cooler and cooler lines of contaminated fluid before starting the back flush procedure of the fluid cooling system (refer to step 5a of this Service Procedure or Equipment instructions, supplied with the "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher").

Flush Procedure

1. Check and top off fluid level of the "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" tank with transmission fluid.

2. Allow the fluid in the flusher 15-30 minutes to heat up to 140°F (60°C) before using.

3. Install line adapters into the transmission cooler lines.

4. Attach the flusher's blue line to the transmission return cooler line quick disconnect.

5. Attach the flusher's red line to the transmission outlet cooler line quick disconnect.

a. Follow equipment instructions, to purge cooler lines and cooler prior to starting flushing procedure (using factory installed purge valve and clear hose on "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher").


6. Allow the cooling system to back-flush for 10-15 minutes, then flush the cooler in a forward/normal flow direction for an additional 10-15 minutes.


For ordering information on this new "Turbo-Tank Heated Cooler Line Flusher" (222-00001), contact Rotunda at 800-ROTUNDA (800-768-8632 or outside U.S. 262-656-5805).

CAUTION THIS FLUSHER CANNOT BE USED TO FLUSH COOLERS ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEMPERATURE BYPASS-TYPE TRANSMISSION COOLER CURRENTLY FOUND IN 1998-2003 CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES.

 

[tower]

Here is the sticky thread from the transmission section

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77507

I added the cooler and did it there more or less like aldive did.

 

[del1650]

I do not recomend flush just filter change

Yeah, please elaborate.

 

[crash594]

1) I have not seen any shops with a cem flush not evan Ford
2) If they do would they do it right or just push fluid threw it
3) Most every one I know that had this done had issues not long after
4) Most forums I have been on suport not flushing
5) For years I have divided the normal interval in half and replaced the filter (with OEM) cleaned what I can see and replaced fluid as needed(no additives). I have never rebuilt a tranny or had any repairs. They all had over 250000 when I sold them

I must be doing something right.

I hope.

 

[del1650]

What is a "cem" flush??
So your saying I should just drop the pan, replace the filter and refill with fluid right?

 

[Glen4X4]

Definitely purchase the warranty. The early third generations (2002 and 2003?) has had a stream of drivetrain and suspension issues. We've had many users with axle problems (the rear axle is a new design -- a modified version of the 2nd gen's axle), and wacky suspension issues including coil springs that just break in half: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182961. It would perhaps be a wiser choice to step down to a 4-dr 2001 model since those had more a reliable rear suspension. There are 2001 Explorer owners (and its older counterparts) on the forum who are still running their stock rear suspension and axle w/o any trouble while the 2002 (and 2003?) suspensions are suffering from frequent failures.

I agree with IZ my 95 (2nd gen) has 190,900miles on it and its almost due for new shocks and thats it suspension wise.

 

[tower]

1) I have not seen any shops with a cem flush not evan Ford
2) If they do would they do it right or just push fluid threw it
3) Most every one I know that had this done had issues not long after
4) Most forums I have been on suport not flushing
5) For years I have divided the normal interval in half and replaced the filter (with OEM) cleaned what I can see and replaced fluid as needed(no additives). I have never rebuilt a tranny or had any repairs. They all had over 250000 when I sold them

I must be doing something right.

I hope.

1- Ford did use cems MANY shops still do If you read the TSB its saying that they should stop using that method (meaning they WHERE using it)
2- Not sure what you are saying BUT I am saying to push fluid threw it.
3- Every one I know that had it done is very happy and there cars run great.
4- Not this one (see sticky thread)
5- great if you change the tranny fluid every 10-15k you will never need a flush. The OP is getting a truck with 85k not every is as good as you with there fluid changes

 

[rhyno]

People always talk about problems with 2002, but if it is the right truck for you at the right price, then pick it up. I bought a used 2002 a few years ago and have not had any problems with it other than a worn out wheel bearing which was still under warrantee. No problems the last 40,000 miles. Any model year can have problems. Its always the luck of the draw in my opinion.

 

[tower]

What is a "cem" flush??
So your saying I should just drop the pan, replace the filter and refill with fluid right?

I cem flush uses chemicals to "clean" you system. Problem is that it has been shown to cause more problems then it helped. It could/would leave a "film" on many parts I have seen valve bodies with sticky film left from the cems. They also could leave particles in small orifices that where dislodged from other parts of the system. These problems where mostly caused by misuse of the flushing machines.

Cem flushers are on the way out for those reasons but now it seems that flushing has a bad name.

 

[crash594]

1- Ford did use cems MANY shops still do If you read the TSB its saying that they should stop using that method (meaning they WHERE using it)
2- Not sure what you are saying BUT I am saying to push fluid threw it.
3- Every one I know that had it done is very happy and there cars run great.
4- Not this one (see sticky thread)
5- great if you change the tranny fluid every 10-15k you will never need a flush. The OP is getting a truck with 85k not every is as good as you with there fluid changes

My bad late night on #1 no chem
2) I found flushing does dislodge alot of trash in the system but if they dont do a good flush and get it all out then it did not help at all. Most shops just want you car out the door to get the next one in.
3) Some get lucky if they have a good shop but that a needle in a hay stack
4) I did say most
5) I never buy new I just start when I purchase and doing it at that time interval cost less than the flush at regular schedule and they still dont change the filter. I sure would not want to change my engine oil and not the filter

I may do over board maintenance but both my SUV's get alot of use. With the temp here in Florida and towing boats and farm equipment i still do not have any issues. I just sold my 95 XLT with 287000. The only thing I ever had fail wast the alternator and idler pulley. Standard MX on all the rest.