just got my first explorer, now what?

[mtnbike]

So I just got my first explorer, now what do I do with it?
2000xls, V6-140, 4dr rwd, 67k miles. All stock/Original except for tires.
I’m the second owner, overall its in really good shape, the only thing I’ve noticed is sometimes when it idles I hear a noise from the front right side of the engine that sounds like a sweatshirt in the dryer, I don’t hear it on the road or highway.

My wife has an accord v6-250 and I had an accord 5psd 160 and there’s a little difference in handling and power compared to my explorer. From what I’ve read, I have the base model with the least amount of power. What can I do to increase power and handling while keeping it looking stock? I’m pretty handy but the last time I worked under the hood was 10 years ago when my dad and I changed a head gasket on my first car. Also, I live in Chicago and this will be my first winter driving a rwd in the snow, any advice?

Thanks
mtnbike

 

[Paraphoe]

Lift it!

 

[dewgod]

i had a 1998 that had a similar sound and it turned out to be a loose timing chain tensioner. cost me $1400.00 to get fixed, it is covered under a Ford Service Bulliten. Hope that isn't your problem as well. But it is worth checking

 

[mtnbike]

@Paraphoe I may be able to pull of a torrsion bar lift the next time shes out of town and just tell her, shes wearing different shoes and that's why the car feels higher.

@dewgod if it is the timing chain, is that something I can diagnose/fix myself, and if it does need to goto the shop, $1400 sounds pretty pricey, is this something that needs to be fixed now? and A TSB does that mean its covered under warranty?

Thanks for all the help