Given New (To Me) '04 Explorer

[cantornikolaos]

I got some good news and some bad news. I'm now the proud owner of two Explorers! One is a 1994 Explorer, and the other is a 2004. My one of my uncles in GA offered me the '04 as a gift. I'm excited to drive it on road trips. It's a 2WD Eddie Bauer. I'll post pics next week.

The bad news is the AC isn't working. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I'm really hoping it is a relay and not something like a bad compressor. I hope that vehicle is new enough that I shouldn't have to worry about AC compressors. Does this generation of Explorer have much trouble with AC system failure?

 

[silverfox103]

I bought a 2003 Lincoln Aviator last year in GA also. The AC did not work. After 12 years it needed a charge. It's been fine ever since. You could have the same problem.

Tom

 

[TechGuru]

but don't ruin it if it's just low by using walmart/autozone/oreilly quick fix combo crapola stuff that contains extra crap like leak stopper and the wrong oil (ester).

Add pure R134a, prob would not hurt to add some oil especially if the compressor is noisy, will need a can of PAG46.

 

[joeyjak]

I got some good news and some bad news. I'm now the proud owner of two Explorers! One is a 1994 Explorer, and the other is a 2004. My one of my uncles in GA offered me the '04 as a gift. I'm excited to drive it on road trips. It's a 2WD Eddie Bauer. I'll post pics next week.

The bad news is the AC isn't working. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I'm really hoping it is a relay and not something like a bad compressor. I hope that vehicle is new enough that I shouldn't have to worry about AC compressors. Does this generation of Explorer have much trouble with AC system failure?

take it to a shop. You may have to pay them to troubleshoot it but it is well worth it. Cannot add up the money I've wasted trying to charge myself. Find out what's wrong and decide if you want to tackle yourself

 

[Perana]

when ya say the a/c ain't workin' ...ya mean the clutch does not engage? , or that it does not blow chilled air??

 

[cantornikolaos]

Update:

I finally made it down to SC and grabbed my 2004 Explorer. The problem with the AC is the compressor. I need a new one, and probably a system flush and all that jazz.

The good news is, it's really nice, otherwise, and in central New York, it's not hot. It's an Eddie Bauer model with a 4.6L V8, 5speed automatic, sunroof, leather, 3rd row seat, 6-disk CD changer. heated seats and mirrors, a DVD player... It's pretty sweet.

This truck is bone-dry underneath. It is is very good mechanical condition.

I also have a 1994 4x4 XLT model Explorer. It has the Cologne V6 and A4LD transmission. It also is in good conditioin and the body is excellent. I've only driven it a few times, but the dude I bought it from said the AC works, but needs Freon. It has been converted to R-134a.

Since I am a destitute seminary student, I'm thinking about selling one of these two vehicles. I wish I could keep and use both. The '94 explorer would be my "Winter Car". I see a lot of Explorers up here, including older ones, and usually with very little rust damage. Are these things resilient to the harsh environment? I hope so. My 2004 is from GA and my 1994 is from SC, so both are free of rust.

 

[Joe in NY]

well being in NY you won't get much for a 2WD..
But it is from the south.. Tough one there.

You def want 4WD for winter.

Good luck at seminary! May God bless you and help you along your way

 

[cantornikolaos]

Could I get $3k for it? It's in super shape. While it has a lot of miles, they are almost all highway miles, commuting between the AL/GA border and Atlanta. It grew-up in the South. Only problem is the AC. I would try to get more if the AC worked. I think KBB said it was worth $4k-ish.

Here's a pic of both Explorers. I took this fote right before I left SC.

Here's the blue Explorer by itself. Poor thing. It's all lonely.

I'm listening to the Jurassic Park OST right now. I can't disassociate Explorers and Jurassic Park.

 

[cantornikolaos]

You def want 4WD for winter.

Good luck at seminary! May God bless you and help you along your way

Thanks man!

 

[Joe in NY]

Both are good looking. My Parents had a 1st Gen Limited, 2nd Gen Mountaineer (years ago these were) and I now have a 3rd Gen Eddie Bauer, hands down without hesitation they would take the 1st Gen limited. My parents bought one used in 1996 with 100k, put another 100k on it and the only thing that went wrong was the heater blower... Plus, the ride and comfort is far above the 2nd and 3rd gens according to them.(Plus they still love the look) 1st gen just always road smooth. 2nd gen like a truck until you tow a trailer, then its pretty good. Same for my 3rd gen, rides like a truck, loud, seats are ok, smooths out a lot with a trailer.

For you, if you don't mind older, that 1st gen should treat you very well.

 

[cantornikolaos]

Slightly off-topic. I heard some valve ticking in the 4.6L V8 (not the '94). Sometimes, when I start it, there is some noise that sounds like valve-ticking on the top-end. The sound usually goes away within a few seconds and oil pressure is always good. Once, that ticking sound persistently continued for a few minutes, then it got quiet. I shut it off and started it up a few minutes later and it purred like a kitty. Is that bad?

 

[cantornikolaos]

Hopefully, I've figured it out.



It sounds just like this. If it's the exhaust manifold, it would make sense. I would rather that be the case than a rocker arm or something.

 

[Joe in NY]

Fords are notorious for crappy exhaust manifolds. It's kinda their signature on V8 engines.. Every Triton, Modular, what ever you wanna call them.. Every 4.6L and 5.4L 2V, 3V, and 4V gets rotten exhaust manifolds. They start off real slight and short. Soon they become loud and long to quiet down. My aunts fairly new expedition at a cold start goes TICK! TICK! TICK! TICK! for the first few minutes at start up and gets even louder when you drop in gear... Like the video at 2:50.. Only louder..

 

[cantornikolaos]

Fords are notorious for crappy exhaust manifolds. It's kinda their signature on V8 engines.. Every Triton, Modular, what ever you wanna call them.. Every 4.6L and 5.4L 2V, 3V, and 4V gets rotten exhaust manifolds. They start off real slight and short. Soon they become loud and long to quiet down. My aunts fairly new expedition at a cold start goes TICK! TICK! TICK! TICK! for the first few minutes at start up and gets even louder when you drop in gear... Like the video at 2:50.. Only louder..

Thanks.