lurked around long enough

[95fx4]

Hi all.

Like the title says, ive lurked around this forum long enough decided id finally register as this forum has already helped me improve my Explorer.

Little bit about my X :
1995 xlt 4x4 willow green with a willow green interior (not a fan but it is what it is).
shes been family owned from the day she was new and has become mine with 190k on the clock. Being a ford salesman I typically drive a new demo from my dealership, and just need a cheap "getaway" car that I wouldn't put any money in. But after spending some time lurking around on here ive decided to actually turn her into something I can be proud of and have some fun in.

Some things ive already done to the X that this forum has helped me do are, but not limited to :
Throttle cable mod.
TT ( still need to get the shackles)
Plasti dipped wheels, Bumpers, and all the faded trim.
seafoam session (which produced no smoke at all??)
.... im sure there's more but thats all I can think of atm.

I do have a question for you though, with 180k on the clock what should I be looking to do mechanically to make sure I keep her running strong? Anything I should be looking for?


This seems like a great place full of knowledge so thanks for everything you all have already helped with!!

-Drew

 

[95fx4]

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/4050473/1995-ford-explorer/

Heres a link to some pics of my X

 

[Rick]

Nice ride...

If you have an SOHC 4.0 watch for timing chain issues.

If you have an automatic, pray, and start a savings account for a replacement or a rebuild

The savings account is a good idea no matter what, because as much as you may prepare, you just never know what will be the next thing to break.

Welcome to the forum

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the blend door to see if the heat works. I feel cold weather approaching.

 

[95fx4]

Nice ride...

If you have an SOHC 4.0 watch for timing chain issues.

If you have an automatic, pray, and start a savings account for a replacement or a rebuild


Welcome to the forum

Thanks for the heads up.

Its actually an OHV. guess I should have been a little more specific.

As far as the tranny goes, it is an auto. So Is there any tell tale signs it might be on its last leg or do I just find that out at the point of catastrophic failure? Ive only put about 1000 miles on it since I got the truck so Idk if its running properly or not. All I know Is the way it feels hasn't changed in those 1000 miles. I have however noticed that occasionally when I let off the gas the RPM's drop about 500 or so then ill feel a clunk. Weather or not thats coming from the tranny I have yet to make that determination.

 

[95fx4]

Welcome to this forum! Check the blend door to see if the heat works. I feel cold weather approaching.

Thanks for the heads up on that as well!
Ill have to look into that. Im like 90% sure my t-stat is stuck open at the moment so I need to pop a new one in first before ill be able to see if my heater works. Also need to determine why my blower motor only works on high. Ive found a possible solution to that already on here but just havent had the daylight to tear into it yet.

 

[Dono]

Nice and clean, body is straight, no rust....Very nice.

My experience with my trans on my ohv has been either a shift flare between 2nd and 3rd or no reverse. Either way, you will know right away that you have an issue.

On your motor, its a super tough one except for the heads. DO NOT let that motor overheat. If it does, you will have a cracked head, or heads instantly.

Another weak spot on these motors is the lower intake manifold gasket. It tends to blow outward, leaking coolant.

Here's my sad tale.....My lower intake gasket blew out, I ran low on coolant and thought I could get the last mile to work. Well, I overheated my motor enough to crack the heads. Worst part was, I didn't know I had cracked the heads till after I replaced the lower intake gasket. So, I then had to tear the top of my motor apart again to get at the heads.

So, be really careful with overheating. It sounds like you have more of a no heat situation though. Yes, this happened to me also, and it was the thermostat. I have not had an issue with blend door actuators (yet).

 

[Rick]

Another weak spot on these motors is the lower intake manifold gasket. It tends to blow outward, leaking coolant.

Or inward, and then it sucks oil through the intake ports... Always something on old vehicles I replaced my intake gaskets for this reason at about 120,000.

It's easy to see if there is an oil control issue by checking your sparkplugs for deposits.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the blower motor resistor. A defective resistor loses the lower speeds, and only allows the blower to work on the highest speed since it's a direct connection.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site, it's great to have you here.

Tony:wavey:

 

[95fx4]

Thanks for all the good advice. Im probably going to be replacing the t-stat and blower motor resistor this weekend. I know for a fact the intake manifold gasket was replaced about a month before I picked it up. So at least that isnt something I need to worry about at the moment.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the blower motor resistor with an Ohmmeter before you replace it.