My Explorer story...

[bionicsasquatch]

I bought my 1991 4x4 XLT in 1996. At the time it was a “for the time being” truck. I had just lost my 1989 Ramcahrger (loan + friend + truck = very large paper weight). After a couple of months though I really started to like my ‘X and decided to keep it for the long haul. Until recently, with the exception of the area in front of the rear wheels (the dog leg?) rusting out, all I have had to do is routine maintenance. Recently however things have started to go south. I was stationed in Germany (just reassigned to Travis in November) and I lost the engine. I was informed that I could not ship the truck back to the states until it was drivable. As you might imagine parts are hard to come by over there, or I didn’t know where to look. I finally found a place that said they could put a used 1996 4.0L in it. I could have junked it, but I really love the damn thing (her name is Ursala by the way) so that wasn’t an option. Well, $1800 later (I’m still walking a little funny after that) I have an engine that looks exactly like the one that came out. I thought that the 1996 would look different, maybe I’m wrong, sure hope so. So here I am back in the States trying to fix all of the little things that are popping up wondering if I should have just let her go. Then I found this site and have some hope for my X’s future. Here are the problems I am currently facing:

- Temp gauge is always fully deflected, even on a cold engine, will sometimes drop to almost within the normal range
- Leak at the power steering pump
- Tranny leaks under a load and/or high speeds
- Alternator is going in and out (trying to find out what vehicles I can get a 130 amp off of that will fit my X)
- Needs new shocks and brakes all the way around (contemplating going to disc in rear, lacking the know how)
- Loss of power and fuel mileage
- Thud/clunk that is heard and felt when braking hard or crossing bumps or dips
- Front end growl
- 60 mph death shake

I am hoping to be able to find tips, tricks and other little things to check to restore the lost performance without having to sell a kidney to finance it. I already have Borla exhaust and a K&N flat filter. I plan on a better MAS, intake, etc…, but I want to make sure that I have a clean platform first. So any and all advice would help greatly. Thanks for reading my book.

 

[JDraper]

Well, lesseee...


1. Temp gauge issue. Either it's hooked up wrong, or the sending unit is bad.

2. Where is the leak coming from? If it's the pump you can either try some stop leak or replace the pump. If it's the hoses, replace them.

3. Probably needs a new seal or two and/or a gasket. Depends upon where the leak is.

4. There are high output alternators available for the X. You should be able to find one. I know a bunch of people on here have 'em. Do a search.

5. You can get a half decent set of Gabriel VST shocks for $19.99 each at Pep Boys. Brake pads are pretty easy to change. As for going to disc brakes, that can be done, but it takes some work.

6. When was the last time you changed your plugs and wires? That can cause loss of mileage and power. Also a leaking intake gasket, dirty MAF, and dirty injectors could cause the problem.

7. That noise is most likely radius arm bushings. They wear out and produce clunking noises when braking and going over bumps. Common problem. Do a search on "radius arm" or "RA Bushings"

8. Might be the front bearings. When bearings start to wear out they growl.

9. Death shake can be induced by several things. bad radius arm bushings, bad ball joints, bad wheel bearings, truck out of alignment, wheels out of alignment.

 

[checkedout]

And as far as the engine looking the same. They prolly just replaced the engine and put all your accy. on it so it WOULD look the same. Look at the heads and see if you can find a stamped # on the. Should be TM 095 or something like that.

 

[ammo troop]

bionicsasquatch, Say your stationed at Travis? I am too,what color is your rig? I have the Green sport ru nning 33's, license plate AMMOTRP. I can probably help you out on some of these problems. or know of someone who can help.

 

[bionicsasquatch]

Thanks for the help. I used the old wires (8.8mm from discount auto); I had just installed them before the motor went. I didn't get the plugs though. I will start there.

Can I clean the injectors and the maf myself or do I need to take them in? I did a search but I have not been able to get through all of the results yet.

I have found a 130 amp alternator on eBay that looks like it will fit my X. The description says that it will fit a 94 F150. Does anyone know for sure though? Maybe I should post to see if anyone that has upgraded wants to sell their old alt. Is that allowed?

I think the other stuff will have to wait for now. The wife is due and that is sucking up a lot of my repair money. I really want to get it fixed though. When I get the mileage back up to 20 mpg then I can stop driving her Volvo.

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by bionicsasquatch


I have found a 130 amp alternator on eBay that looks like it will fit my X. The description says that it will fit a 94 F150. Does anyone know for sure though? Maybe I should post to see if anyone that has upgraded wants to sell their old alt. Is that allowed?

Yes, definitley...Some people might have a stock alternator off of a parts truck also...

Welcome to the site!

 

[Bashman]

For your injectors, for now I would just use a bottle of injector cleaner you can purchase at any auto store/gas station. The MAF you can definately do yourself, should take less than 20 mins. I sprayed "contact cleaner" on mine since it leaves no residue. Just remember to undo the battery for 5-10 mins to reset the computer.