Newby Question

[joedekock]

I also posted this in the new members forum, but wanted to make sure I am tapping all the experience I can, so I posted here as well.

My wife and I are looking to purchase a 2002 Explorer 4X4 with the 4.6 V8. It is the Eddie Bauer Edition and is in immaculate condition with 81000 miles. From what I can tell on different websites, the gas mileage I can expect is 13 city and 17 highway averaging 15. I am curious to know if those numbers are what others around here have experienced. Also any known problems that are common for this age Explorer approaching 100,000 miles.

I plan to modify it like others around here are doing to get better fuel economy. I used to have a 97 Tahoe and with the K&N cone air filter, chip reprogrammer and synthetic fluids, and I got it to average 18 mpg with 21mpg on the highway! Not bad for a 5.7 liter. What kind of mpg can I expect by putting the cone K&N air filter on this Explorer with synthetic fluids. And is there a chip reprogrammer I can get for it?

A known Problem with the 96-99 Tahoe's and Suburban's was a gasket would wear out at around 80,000-100,000 miles and allow coolent to start leaking into the heads. That was a $700 fix. Is there any big issues to expect with the 2002 Explorers in the 80-100,000 mile range?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Welcome.

I deleted your post in the New Member Forum as double posting is not allowed.

 

[joedekock]

Welcome.

I deleted your post in the New Member Forum as double posting is not allowed.

Thanks! Sorry for not reading the forum rules first.

 

[daprez1963]

14-15city, 19-20highway is average

 

[big damon]

take it on the highway and run it between 55 and 70mph and listen for the rear end whine.

 

[newtek007]

Not to be a downer, but I would quietly walk away from any 2002 model explorer. I have a 2002 EB in IMMACULATE condition, meaning it looks great, but the mechanicals are not up to par. My steering shifter just broke and now I have to pay $600 just for the part. A couple of months back my 4x4 control module fried due to a design defect. It cost me $300. The rear differential is starting to whine and it's starting to bind when turning. The engine timing chain tensior is rattling like a bunch of marbles!
Check around to see, but I think the 04 and ups have the design defects worked out. I'm not up on par with the fixed explorers because I am done with Ford after this truck.
Sorry, but it's MY truth. Others will vary.

 

[daprez1963]

Not to be a downer, but I would quietly walk away from any 2002 model explorer. I have a 2002 EB in IMMACULATE condition, meaning it looks great, but the mechanicals are not up to par. My steering shifter just broke and now I have to pay $600 just for the part. A couple of months back my 4x4 control module fried due to a design defect. It cost me $300. The rear differential is starting to whine and it's starting to bind when turning. The engine timing chain tensior is rattling like a bunch of marbles!
Check around to see, but I think the 04 and ups have the design defects worked out. I'm not up on par with the fixed explorers because I am done with Ford after this truck.
Sorry, but it's MY truth. Others will vary.

true...i had 92,000 miles on my 02 and never had major issues with it..only window motor problem. it drove nice, looked nice and was priced right. i did decide to to go a 05 just because it was newer and had alot less miles (priced good too and had 4x4)

 

[asimp]

Check the rear coil springs, they seem to break up near the top. I would probably stay away from the 02 as well, might want to go with a newer model