New to Forum, second Explorer/with inherent problems

[Polarkitty2021]

2000 Explorer 4.0 V6 w/196000 miles has been getting terrible gas mileage, leaking oil, leaking coolant, missing tranny to engine bolts, and screwed up front end alignment. Don’t forget the fun little door ajar issue. The rear hatch has issues... ugh.

So I found that the Pcv valve was just dangling by the 2 hoses (found the oil leak-maybe). So my boyfriend managed to get it back in place. So we thought we fixed the oil leak, just kidding.

The coolant leak was due to the thermostat housing and that ittle bitty short hose. Check, got those replaced. Bf, did a coolant flush and new coolant. Seems to be losing coolant still. Not really sure where except the overflow bottle was overflowing all over the place. We’ll get back to the coolant.

I don’t know how this happened but bf was under the truck and he discovered missing tranny bolts, bleeepity bleep bleep. Got them replaced too. Phew.

Just bought new tires in June and due to lack of funds Bf decided to do his own front end alignment. Well, let’s just say it’s still not correct. I’m thinking something is wore out cause he will get it dialed in, then test drive it and one or the other will be out of whack. He finally has it within specks, he said he was struggling with the camber and caster adjustments.

Now the bad gas mileage. We found a vacuum leak, fixed that. Now idk if the timing chains can effect the gas mileage so much but bf bought a new timing chain set, but this job is pending. I was reading the forums about the 00M12 recall and replace. I think I’m going to add that to the work order.

I have been trying to look at the thread for the instructions on the 00M12 kit. Needless to say I’m nervous about this and the timing chains/tensioner replacement jobs. So a little help with the instructions and some advice and insight on what else could be causing the gas mileage to be horrible, besides fuel filter. Which is on my check it out list.

Thanks in advance, and Hello fellow Ex’s

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, and go slow with the new used car repairs. That truck has been neglected, that's its biggest problem. Those issues are not defects, the prior owner was an idiot, which is not the vehicle's fault.

That being said, these 2nd gen Explorers are great if you don't neglect them. The SOHC 4.0 is a huge problem when it is neglected, and it may be you are about to pay for that. When they receive best quality oil, changed more often than 5000 miles, they can last as long as most any engine.

Typically a neglected 20+ year old vehicle will have suspension issues, these do too. I'll bet it needs new ball joints, lowers are most critical. Unless any of the four have been changed in the last couple of years, it might need all four, which can run over $400 for those in high quality versions(Moog or Mevotech, OEM will be higher). Doing a back yard alignment is not worth it, tires cost too much, and without good BJ's, it's all a waste until those are good.

The 00M12 kit for the SOHC is a good first step, that should have been done in the early 2000's. That's a fairly easy task for normal tools and skills. Check carefully around the thermostat housing, plus the sensor that screw into it, for wetness. That is a defective design of the housing and sensors, upgrading those is a small project itself. The front tensioner is directly next to one of those temp sensors, if there is not leak there yet, do not apply any force to the sensor, or try to remove it. If that sensor is disturbed, it will leak and never stop leaking. I managed to R&R my T'stat housing without hurting it or the sensor, but that is very rare to do. Knowing the problem helps a lot.

The timing chain system is fine when in top condition(great oil and no neglect). But when the plastic chain guides start to wear from loose chains, the repair is much more complicated, hard, and expensive. The external tensioners are relatively easy to replace, as mentioned about the 00M12 kit. The internal parts require a special tool set, and those take a huge amount of time to get to and replace. Concentrating on providing great care with great oil is the best answer. But with used vehicles, that doesn't fix problems.

Keep learning about the truck, get used to it and learn what it needs. Good luck with fixing it up again.

 

[awaympar]

Welcome to the forum!