Hey all fellow Explorer Owners

[paddocmbp]

Just introducing myself. Mike from Canada.

I've owned A LOT of vehicles in my day. I pick up my second ford explorer tomorrow. 2016 XLT Black. My first explore for I believe was a 1995 Eddie Bower (Loved that one too)

We are a ford Family. I own a 2012 F150 FX4, the wife has a 2013 Ford Focus. We are buying the explorer to replace the focus. My 16-year-old son will be taking the Focus as his first car.

I've been just reading through some posts. There doesn't seem to be too many major issues with the explorer. I know about the throttle body and the water pump.

Of those 2 things, what can I do to protect the vehicle? The explorer has 80,000 KMS on it (Approx 50k miles).

Any advice is appreciated! Great group here!

Thanks,

MIke

 

[FranksFords]

Welcome to the forum from another Ford family. 2004 F150, 2007 Explorer XLT, 2017 Explorer Base,2018 Explorer XLT. Sounds as though you know what to watch for. Our 2017 has 105K on it trouble free (standard V6) Just bought the 2018 it has 20K on it. From what I've read here meticulas maintenance is the biggest thing to a more trouble free experience with the vehicle. Others with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

 

[paddocmbp]

Welcome to the forum from another Ford family. 2004 F150, 2007 Explorer XLT, 2017 Explorer Base,2018 Explorer XLT. Sounds as though you know what to watch for. Our 2017 has 105K on it trouble free (standard V6) Just bought the 2018 it has 20K on it. From what I've read here meticulas maintenance is the biggest thing to a more trouble free experience with the vehicle. Others with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

Thank you Frank!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Mike from Gander.
Several members have taken to changing the PTU fluid although the manual may say it's a lifetime oil. Some have suggested changing it at 80k miles. The issue is that some PTU's have drains and other do not. It isn't quite as simple as doing an oil change.
Have you checked the front lip of the hood for 'bubbles'? That is an issue with the Explorer.

List of Useful Threads - Hood Paint bubble issue only

I just took delivery of my 2012 Explorer on Friday and was looking for advice about a tiny paint bubble on the hood about 1mm in size. It's not noticable unless you get right up on it, but I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. The dealership took pictures of it and...

www.explorerforum.com

Changing PTU Fluid

So I'm really **** and like working on my own cars... Plus the idea that it helps with preventive maint and has worked on every car I've owned thus far. So far I've changed rear diff, ATF, and of course engine oil... Added Water Wetter to coolant (it was a little low anyway). Today I thought...

www.explorerforum.com

Changed my PTU Fluid

After reading about the PTU on the forum I figured i'd change the fluid on our 2017 Explorer. We have about 14.5K miles on it. I used a hand pump fluid extractor to extract the fluid out of the drain hole and filled it back up until I saw fluid dripping out. I was only able to extract about 9...

www.explorerforum.com

List of Useful Threads - Hints for a Pre-Pick Up Inspection & Used Ex. Check List

After reading some of the other posts, I decided to try to create a list of items to check to avoid picking up my Explorer in the excitement of the moment only to find issues or missing items a few days later. I combed over the forum to capture other owner’s experiences with picking up their...

www.explorerforum.com

You may want to consider a Ford ESP. Canada ESP plans now discounted
Good luck.

Peter

 

[paddocmbp]

Welcome to the Forum Mike from Gander.
Several members have taken to changing the PTU fluid although the manual may say it's a lifetime oil. Some have suggested changing it at 80k miles. The issue is that some PTU's have drains and other do not. It isn't quite as simple as doing an oil change.
Have you checked the front lip of the hood for 'bubbles'? That is an issue with the Explorer.

List of Useful Threads - Hood Paint bubble issue only

I just took delivery of my 2012 Explorer on Friday and was looking for advice about a tiny paint bubble on the hood about 1mm in size. It's not noticable unless you get right up on it, but I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. The dealership took pictures of it and...

www.explorerforum.com

Changing PTU Fluid

So I'm really **** and like working on my own cars... Plus the idea that it helps with preventive maint and has worked on every car I've owned thus far. So far I've changed rear diff, ATF, and of course engine oil... Added Water Wetter to coolant (it was a little low anyway). Today I thought...

www.explorerforum.com

Changed my PTU Fluid

After reading about the PTU on the forum I figured i'd change the fluid on our 2017 Explorer. We have about 14.5K miles on it. I used a hand pump fluid extractor to extract the fluid out of the drain hole and filled it back up until I saw fluid dripping out. I was only able to extract about 9...

www.explorerforum.com

List of Useful Threads - Hints for a Pre-Pick Up Inspection & Used Ex. Check List

After reading some of the other posts, I decided to try to create a list of items to check to avoid picking up my Explorer in the excitement of the moment only to find issues or missing items a few days later. I combed over the forum to capture other owner’s experiences with picking up their...

www.explorerforum.com

You may want to consider a Ford ESP. Canada ESP plans now discounted
Good luck.

Peter

Thanks Peter. I'm actually buying this vehicle without actually seeing it in person. The price was right and it was purchased from a Certified GM dealership. The explorer is considered 'Certified Pre-Owned'. I'll be meeting the salesman tomorrow at the halfway point. We'll split the travel. It's a 4-hour drive one way. Of course, I don't need to sign that piece of paper making the purchase official. Check for Bubbles, anything else like this I should keep an eye out for?

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Thanks Peter. I'm actually buying this vehicle without actually seeing it in person. The price was right and it was purchased from a Certified GM dealership. The explorer is considered 'Certified Pre-Owned'. I'll be meeting the salesman tomorrow at the halfway point. We'll split the travel. It's a 4-hour drive one way. Of course, I don't need to sign that piece of paper making the purchase official. Check for Bubbles, anything else like this I should keep an eye out for?

How are you buying Cpo at gm dealer?

 

[peterk9]

Thanks Peter. I'm actually buying this vehicle without actually seeing it in person. The price was right and it was purchased from a Certified GM dealership. The explorer is considered 'Certified Pre-Owned'. I'll be meeting the salesman tomorrow at the halfway point. We'll split the travel. It's a 4-hour drive one way. Of course, I don't need to sign that piece of paper making the purchase official. Check for Bubbles, anything else like this I should keep an eye out for?

I believe the last link I posted pretty well has most of the things that should be checked.

Peter

 

[paddocmbp]

How are you buying Cpo at gm dealer?

Being in Newfoundland there are usually not a lot of options. I found 3 Explorers for sale on all of the Island. I was also looking at the Edge. I just felt this dealership was hopefully a little more legit than some of the useed cars sales places around.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Being in Newfoundland there are usually not a lot of options. I found 3 Explorers for sale on all of the Island. I was also looking at the Edge. I just felt this dealership was hopefully a little more legit than some of the useed cars sales places around.

Just saying cpo is done by the manufacturer. Don't let them tell you its a ford cpo.

 

[paddocmbp]

Just saying cpo is done by the manufacturer. Don't let them tell you its a ford cpo.

Yeah. I understand that. I'm hoping it's been well looked over.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Yeah. I understand that. I'm hoping it's been well looked over.

What about third party mechanic to look at it before sale?

 

[paddocmbp]

What about third party mechanic to look at it before sale?

That will be tricky.
I'm pretty good mechanically. Especially if I know where to look. I have a friend coming with me, he's also pretty good. We both fix our own vehicles. I do have 3 months bumper-bumper warranty. Not a ford warranty so I'm not sure how good it is. You guys may be seeing some posts from me tomorrow morning around 9:00 am EST.

 

[Starting to Hate Ford]

Just introducing myself. Mike from Canada.

I've owned A LOT of vehicles in my day. I pick up my second ford explorer tomorrow. 2016 XLT Black. My first explore for I believe was a 1995 Eddie Bower (Loved that one too)

We are a ford Family. I own a 2012 F150 FX4, the wife has a 2013 Ford Focus. We are buying the explorer to replace the focus. My 16-year-old son will be taking the Focus as his first car.

I've been just reading through some posts. There doesn't seem to be too many major issues with the explorer. I know about the throttle body and the water pump.

Of those 2 things, what can I do to protect the vehicle? The explorer has 80,000 KMS on it (Approx 50k miles).

Any advice is appreciated! Great group here!

Thanks,

MIke

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Just a forewarning and I just ran into this myself. The signature lights on the 16 explorers are the biggest joke in fords engineering history. The low beam is incorporated into the housing so if your low beam goes out, you have to replace a $1,000 headlight. They thought “because they are LEDs, they will never burn out. Well they did. Ford has a TSB out about it but will not do anything about it if it goes out. I just ran into this with my ‘16 limited.

 

[peterk9]

Just a forewarning and I just ran into this myself. The signature lights on the 16 explorers are the biggest joke in fords engineering history. The low beam is incorporated into the housing so if your low beam goes out, you have to replace a $1,000 headlight. They thought “because they are LEDs, they will never burn out. Well they did. Ford has a TSB out about it but will not do anything about it if it goes out. I just ran into this with my ‘16 limited.

Welcome to the Forum.
I think the Signature lights are a very nice touch. I had them on my 2017 Platinum. LEDs are known to have a longer serviceable lifespan than regular bulbs. However, that doesn't mean that they aren't subject to premature failure, much like any other part. If they are a concern, owners can opt to get the Ford PremiumCare Plus ESP which covers LED/HID lighting. The low beams are the DRL here and run at reduced power.

Peter

 

[Starting to Hate Ford]

Welcome to the Forum.
I think the Signature lights are a very nice touch. I had them on my 2017 Platinum. LEDs are known to have a longer serviceable lifespan than regular bulbs. However, that doesn't mean that they aren't subject to premature failure, much like any other part. If they are a concern, owners can opt to get the Ford PremiumCare Plus ESP which covers LED/HID lighting. The low beams are the DRL here and run at reduced power.

okay, they might LOOK nice, but I did not buy this vehicle for its looks? I should not have to spend $1,000 to replace the entire housing because a low beam burnt out and that should be $20? Also, when I bought my vehicle, I did not buy from Ford, that was not an option. I should not have to buy a WARRANTY for HEADLIGHTS. I should not have to choose between putting food on my table and being able to freaking SEE at night!

 

[peterk9]

That warranty is an option that an owner can buy if they choose. It also covers much more than headlights. Like if your water pump happens to take out your engine. Water pump failure leads to dead engine
I have no idea why Ford designed the low beam the way they did but there isn't much you can do about it now. I didn't realize that the low beam was integrated into the housing itself. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I get another vehicle and ESP.

Peter

 

[paddocmbp]

I'm just reading the posts. It's in the driveway. Nice ride, but now I realize how expensive they are to fix. Well, It's done now. There must be some good things you like about them. Or am I going to regret this..

 

[peterk9]

I lease my vehicles and don't put many kilometres on them but usually get the Ford ESP on those with a 3-year factory warranty 'just in case'. The Aviator has a 4-year warranty so I didn't bother. I've not had to use the extended warranty on any of the Ford products I've had and haven't had any issues either. I did hear that the new owner of 2011 Limited I had did have PTU issues shortly after buying it from the dealer.

Peter