Hello from Long Time Lurker

[ihpj]

After finally unearthing a gem of an Explorer in Northampton, I thought I should register and introduce myself to the Forum - especially as I have to thank Howard (our Forum Mod) for his time and patience in helping me close the deal today.

Definitely a big 'what up' to Howard for his help and support - without which I don't think I would have had as much fun today.

Hope to become part of the Community here as I look to the Forum for help and support with my vehicle. Hello to everyone

 

[Howard]

Welcome to the wonderful explorer world.

 

[Ilikemice]

Welcome!

 

[janolsson]

Hello and Welcome
So Howard you pounding the streets strong arming people into buying ex's and joining our motly crew??

 

[Howard]

So Howard you pounding the streets strong arming people into buying ex's and joining our motly crew??

Absolutely.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Please post some photos when you have time.

 

[ghosttrain2]

Hello and Welcome!

 

[ihpj]

So Howard you pounding the streets strong arming people into buying ex's and joining our motly crew??

Actually it was the reverse! I was the one who contacted Howard asking for help and then persuaded him to enlist in my quest. Can't thank him enough for his time and I know that I came close as coming across as some Internet Nutter

I'm grateful for the welcome however

One of my first jobs is going to be tackle the electric aerial problem...

 

[ihpj]

Well I've got the Ex booked in for some routine servicing for the end of this week. But as my trusted mechanic is a VAG Specialist, he will use VAG liquids in lieu of Ford. What I propose is the following:

1. Oil/Filter change - Genuine Ford filter and 5L Mobil 1 5W-30 (fully synth).
2. Air filter - Hengst
3. Coolant change - Standard VAG (G15 IIRC)
4. Brakefluid change - Standard DOT4
5. Diff Oil change - Fully synth. VAG stuff
6. PAS fluid change/flush
7. A/C Regas
8. All fault codes read (and cleared!)


I'm tempted to get the spark plugs and ATF done, but having spoken to Howard, taken advice from my Mechanic fellow and using my own judgement, I've decided to leave well alone. The auto box and fluid are fine: box shifts beautifully through the gears and inspecting the fluid it is good and clean pink 'cherryade' colour showing no signs of deterioration. Since the plugs can be a PITA to do, I don't want to damage something else in an attempt to get them changed.

Cars only done a genuine 42K from new (1998 registered) so I'll roll the dice on the plugs - maybe for some beer tokens I could get help from the Forum to do that job

 

[janolsson]

Just an fyi on the diff fluid.
These diffs are LS and ideally need 75/140 diff oil specifically for a limited slip.
I know millers do a good one (IIRC NXT LS).
If you put in new diff fluid and get a little chatter then you can add a friction modifier that Ford do for about £15.
You may find in the handbook it recommends 80/90 with modifier but if you get the good 75/140 for LS then this modifier won't be needed.

Ford the engine oil you ideally need to make sure it meets the ford spec. 5w30 is the right weight. The front and rear timing chain cassettes have hydraulic tensioners so get the wrong oil in it and these won't function properly.

Do you know if you have the updated front tensioner?? If not then it would be prudent to get this done along with the oil restrictor pencil. (i have a spare pencil you can have if you do this and the tensioner is about £35 from dealer)

:ttiwwp:

Regards
Jan

 

[Howard]

Do you know if you have the updated front tensioner??

No it hasn't. At this age the full oom12 kit would be a good idea as the inlet gaskets are bound to be hard.

 

[ihpj]

Howard is right, this car has not had any of the necessary MODS for the timing chains etc. - thats something it will need at some point.

Good call on the engine oil - thats something I hadn't considered as being BMW LL04/VAG 507.00 type approved assumed it was OK - will go see if it has any Ford type approvals. As for the differential oil, thanks for the clarification. I'll try and get hold of some of the right stuff.

I've now added the fuel filter to the list as well - while its there you might as well!

 

[ihpj]

The engine oil I have checked and it does not show any Ford specific type approvals, however being Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 (fully synth.) complies with: ACEA C2/C3, ACEA A3/B3, ACEA A3/B4;API CF. States it also meet the engine test requirements of: ACEA A5/B5;API SL/SM - which by my reckoning should more than satisfy the Ford requirement?

As for the Differential fluid I have bought two x1L (£15 ea.) bottles of: 'Castrol Differential Fluid SAF-XJ' which on the back tells me it is a fully synth. fluid specifically for LS rear Diffs. Marked on the back: SAE 75W-140; API GL-5; MIL-L-2105D; BMW LS; ZF TE-ML 05D, 12D, 16G.

Just in case any other newbies are wondering, here is the breakdown of the parts I have bought. I like HENGST as a preferece, but MAHLE are jut as good IMHO. So here are some of the things I have bought with the part #:

MAHOC67 - Oil Filter (£4)
MAHLX598 - Air Filter (£7)
MAHKL549 - Fuel Filter (£7)





EDIT: Can someone please clarify if the 'transfer box' is the same as the 'differential'? I'm not clear

 

[Howard]

Transfer box uses ATF Mercon V same as gearbox.

 

[ihpj]

Bugger! That means I have gotten my maths wrong.

It would appear the Ex has two diffs. - one front and one rear - and I therefore need 4.3L of fluid. Will see if I can get hold of a 5L bottle then At least I'm learning!

 

[janolsson]

Transfer box uses ATF Mercon V same as gearbox.

I believe the transfer box uses just mercon ATF not V so cheap as chips. Not sure if you can get away with V

 

[ihpj]

Seeing as I'm 'in the zone' I have decided to get the brakes (discs + pads) replaced Its not an expense I want to undertake now, but seeing as its in the shop and its something that will need doing anyways, might as well get it done now.

So, after getting advice (Justin @ Explorerparts.com), I have opted to go for EBC brakes:

Front Discs: D942
Front Pads: DP1199

Rear Discs: D943
Rear Pads: DP1201

I really can't think of much else to do to this car can't wait till Friday, after its service to really let loose with it

 

[janolsson]

Don't stop there!
Lifted shackles and front torsion twist to get a couple of extra inches clearance.
What part of the world are you in, one of us could help you do the 00m12 kit, couple of hours if you know what you're doin.

Also on the brakes the hand brake has separate shoes that sit inside the drums, these may or may not need replacing but make sure tha garage know to wind them back before trying to remove the disc or they could take off the friction material trying to hammer off the old discs. It is also a good time to make sure the handbrake mechanism is free and lubed and make sure they clean the inside of the new disc before refitting. (i know some places are dilligent enough to not need telling about all this but then there are a few john waynes that will never have seen this set up before.)

 

[ihpj]

What part of the world are you in, one of us could help you do the 00m12 kit, couple of hours if you know what you're doin.

I'm neighbourly to Howard (Site MOD) and without help I'd be pretty clueless with the 00M12 Kit

Although the mechanic and garage I am using is/are VAG Specialists, I do trust him to complete this type of basic maintenance. I however appreciate the guidance though!

I just hope this vehicle is worth the money in the long run as I think will scrap it if it throws up any unpleasant surprises within the next two years

Don't stop there! Lifted shackles and front torsion twist to get a couple of extra inches clearance.

Not sure my 6 year old would appreciate my adding more height to it Personally speaking, I'd prefer to take a little off its height as the Ex. will spend all of its life driving on tarmac. That way I could fit lower profile rubber and improve its motorway cruising. But as it is, I'm not going tinker with its ride height etc. at all.

I would however appreciate recommendations for tyres? I'm looking for road biased rubber and instinctively looking at Contis or Michelin.

 

[explorerguy89]

welcome to the forum glad your in the explorer family but as said pics asap =D