New Owner from Kent

[selkent1]

Been getting a few bits together in anticipation of my hols next month.

Finally, after loads of searching and lost bids on eblag, found a luggage blind.

Am also replacing the dreadful factory fitted speakers with some 13cm ones. They might be smaller but the sound quality has got to be better than the originals. Haven t got the speakers yet but got the adapters. MDF 12mm.

Got the rear (or left) timing chain tensioner.

And the front (or right) tensioner, which i have noticed is a different, larger design from the original unit.

Which meant i had to get one of these...

And finally found a replacement front bumper, as the one on my truck was missing the lower section and looks weird without it.

One thing i never noticed before is that there are two lights mounted in the lower section of the bumper with looms attached. Are these fogs or running lights? Also, one of them is missing the lens cover and the back has rotted so will need a replacement. Have checked and there are none on eblag, so does anyone know of an aftermarket version from anywhere that could be used? Also, i don't have the number plate bracket, and even though not essential, i think it looks better mounted to that rather than straight onto the chrome section. Again, i cant find one anywhere so is there an aftermarket version that could be used? Or does anyone on here have the said items they would be willing to sell?

 

[janolsson]

Did you get the new washers with the tensioners. Reason I ask is the originals were copper and considerably thicker than the sprung steel new ones and as such may obscure the oil hole. pls check clearance. Also when fitting, wind in by hand as far as possible as the threads can be easily crossed.

On the front lights, they are driving lights. Ring do an exact match so you can use your old bodies and attach new fronts from the ring ones. If you do a search of this uk section it has been covered a couple of times. I think Howard did a write up on it.

 

[selkent1]

Didn't get any washers with the tensioners. Should i replace the originals? Given that you said the originals may obscure the oil hole, could that have played a part in their original failure? If so, where can i get them from?

 

[selkent1]

Ive also got this attached to the offside rear window of my truck!

Don't know what its for. Obviously some kind of antenna, but it looks like there's a screw thread where the antenna should be. Obviously a cable coming from it, but there is nothing at all in the car to explain what its for. Cant find any cables leading anywhere.

 

[Howard]

That is a glass mount antenna for a mobile phone installation. It is just stuck on so can easily be removed.

Yes Ring do a driving light that is almost an exact replacement. Minor rewiring required as the earth tab is bigger, but the lens is an exact fit. When I replaced mine I did not even have to change the backs or try and undo the rusted bolts. I just undid the two screws and changed the lens part. They are driving lights and come on with full beam.

 

[Shooteruk]

Do you still need the driving lights? I bought some Ring ones from Halfords for my old Exploder and never fitted them. My new Exploder is a North Face and has round ones so if you need some I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. I only live in East Sussex so not too far from you.

 

[selkent1]

Do you still need the driving lights? I bought some Ring ones from Halfords for my old Exploder and never fitted them. My new Exploder is a North Face and has round ones so if you need some I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. I only live in East Sussex so not too far from you.

Hallo mate,

Yep, still need those lights. Havent fitted the bumper yet as ill be coating the inside of the metal bits with some Dynax or Dinitrol (or similar) to prevent future rust. Will fit the lights while its off. I only managed to find one set so far on eblag, and they weren't cheap. Drop us a pm with your thoughts mate.

 

[selkent1]

Speakers have turned up. Yeah, i know they're not going to set the world alight, but they've got to be better than the factory fitted ones. Mine sound like they are underwater, after many years of service.

 

[selkent1]

Got my new speakers in. Yeah, i know there not a direct 5x7 replacement but sound a lot better than the originals. Given how the originals look, i thought they'd have sounded a bit more impressive than they did!

So old ones out together with the frame.

And the replacement adapters together with the new speakers fitted perfectly. I was surprised how little room you have for the rears. Most other trucks Ive had its always been the other way around in that you have always had more room at the back!

 

[selkent1]

New ones in.

 

[selkent1]

Hols are here and, for me at least, nearly over so i managed to get a few things done, if not everything.

Started with getting my replacement bumper on, and i makes a massive difference. Pics of that tomorrow. Then started on the oil change. Given that i was replacing both the tensioners as well i thought id drain the old first and refill once i had done them.

What came out must have been in there since the first coming as it was filthy. Clear of any grit or debris, but filthy none the less. And the oil filter seemed to have been there longer as it was a git to remove. Nice shiny new one!

Then the rear tensioner. And unless your clever, i found the only way i could get this out was to remove both the inner rubber piece and the large spash guard from the wheel arch.

Doing a visual inspection of the old and new tensioners, there seems no difference between the two but the "tension" of the new one was far greater than the old one, as it seemed to have some play in it.

Once replaced, and filled with new oil, i fired her up and she sounded better than ive ever heard her. Just a purr! I let it idle to get up to temp to check for any leaks and all was well. So stuck the wheel back on, then started to run out of time, so ill do the front tensioner tomorrow. Ill do it by removing the thermostat housing and getting access that way. I was going to do the upper and lower manifold gaskets as well, but they'll have to wait a few weeks or so.

I also stuck in a new air filter as I'm surprised it could breath. Look at what came out!

I'm surprised it could breath properly. Theres only one thing I'm worried about. Ive never had the rattle continuously, and only slightly on a cold start. When i started her up earlier i had loud rattle for a split second and then nothing. Presumably because the tensioner had no oil in it. Then i turned her off for about 30mins or so while i put everything back together. Then started her up again and Christ did she rattle!

Loudest Ive ever heard. I left her running for a few mins and it did start to get quieter, but i had presumed it still to be the front tensioner causing problems. Anyone ever had a symptom like this?

 

[arm1984]

Forgive me if you posted this already. Where did you get your new tensioners from and how much?

Thanks

 

[selkent1]

Someone on ebay is selling them. In the UK. They are entitled Ford Explorer tensioner spares. If i get time ill post the link!

 

[selkent1]

Found it. CHarging around 35 quid for each tensioner.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Expl...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ad7be51ba

 

[arm1984]

Thanks. Are the ones he suppliers the same size?

 

[selkent1]

By default, the ones he supplies are the smaller rear ones, but if you send him a message, hell supply the larger, redesigned front, or right ones.

 

[selkent1]

Finally managed to get that front tensioners done and proved a little more difficult than i anticipated.

I initially decided to remove the thermostat housing instead of removing the upper inlet manifold but it just seemed easier to remove the manifold. At first i removed the temp sensor on the right to give access but still couldn't fit my deep well socket on it. So i removed the bolts for the manifold just so i could budge it out of the way, and i got access.

Once i had access to the old tensioner, space was still tight.

The old and new tensioner.

And the new one finally in place.

Started her up and again, the same symptom as before. For a split second upon starting, i had loud rattle, and then nothing, just a purr! Have put 0-30W oil in her this time round, but given the state of what came out, the new stuff will prob be filthy within a few days so ill give it a week or so and change it again, this time maybe going for 10-40W.

 

[selkent1]

I wonder if someone had replaced the front tensioner in the past or maybe what came off mine highlights the problems the original tensioners caused as upon inspection, there was what looked like a brass o ring on the front one. And when you line this o ring up it partially covers the oil hole on the tensioner.

I never reused this on the replacement as it would fit the new one. I also noticed that on the replacement the oil hole is a little further away from the butt end!

 

[selkent1]

Just been for a fairly long test drive, and result, rattle gone!