Mitchs07explorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- August 14, 2015
- Messages
- 459
- Reaction score
- 102
- Location
- Idaho
- City, State
- Meridian, Idaho
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 97 XLT V8 AWD
07 XLT V6
Last Friday I finally got to turn the key on my 1997 Explorer 5.0 AWD since February when I first purchased it. I've replace the timing chain and associated gaskets, water pump and associated gaskets and a couple hoses, cam shaft synchronizer and sensor, EGR tube, spark plugs and wires, PCV valve, accessories belt, idler pulleys and tenioner pulley, have just performed 2 oil changes to help clear any gunk out, changes thermostat and gasket as well as flushed my radiator which surly needs it again. She runs like a champ for having 166k mi on her. I've run the engine every day since Friday to get it up to heat and let the system lubricate itself.
It leaks oil from the rear seal or the oil pan... or both
which as we all know is no easy fix on the 5.0's. It leaks oil onto the o2 sensor and if it sits long enough the oil pools on the cat a little further down the exhaust. The first time I started the vehicle I let all that oil burn off so now when I've gone out to look under it there has rarely been a drop on the ground. Obviously it's still pooling but the leak is slow enough that I think it's just burning off each time I start the car. I figured I could just buy a small section of air ducting from Home Depot or somewhere and rig up a cover to keep the oil off of the o2 sensor as well as have the leak routed away from the exhaust. It seems simple enough to do i was just curious if anyone has done this before and can offer any input. My second issue I want to address is the oil pan plug. When I was changing the oil this morning I removed the plug and I noticed that there used to be an o-ring that sat about the half way down the threads on the plug. The remainder of it crumbled away as I was inspecting it. I did notice a small drop of oil forming at the head of the plug before I removed the plug so this makes sense as the o-ring was trashed. When I did a quick search for a new plug I didn't see any with this same design, can someone tell me if this is an original oil pan plug and if so can I just put a new o ring on it or am I better replacing the whole plug with an aftermarket brand.
Next concern, when I was topping off the coolant there was a little piece of the tin/plastic like seal thats used to seal the new coolant container. somehow I must've dislodged a small half a dime sized piece into the bottle without realizing it. I inadvertently poured it into the radiator and couldn't fish it out. I've flushed the system once (before the small piece went in) and plan on having it professionally done when I can put some tires on it and drive it around. Question is, am I running a risk of damaging my water pump or anything else by leaving it in there for the time being? Should I drain my system again or is it not that big of deal?
My last concern is when I've started the vehicle the last couple of times I get a light wisp of vapor that comes out the exhaust. It's not cold here anymore and the outside temperatures have been between 60-70 F. The vapor does go away after a while and maybe it would go away sooner if I were actually driving the vehicle but I just wanted to know if there is anything I should be looking at or concerned about. When I changed the oil I didn't see any coolant in it, the oil still looked brand new as I had only run it in the engine for a couple of days. There was water dripping out if the exhaust as it idled which I know is normal and I'm guessing this is probably why I'm getting water vapor. My 07 4.0 ex gives me light vapor and water upon start up but never as much as this 97 5.0. I've never owned a V8 so maybe it's something to do with the larger engine and more combustion going on. Sorry this is so long but I'm learning as I'm going so I like to hear what others have to say. Overall the engine sounds great and has a very smooth idle, sounds good when I rev it too. Any input or things I should be looking for now that I have the engine running is most welcome.
It leaks oil from the rear seal or the oil pan... or both
which as we all know is no easy fix on the 5.0's. It leaks oil onto the o2 sensor and if it sits long enough the oil pools on the cat a little further down the exhaust. The first time I started the vehicle I let all that oil burn off so now when I've gone out to look under it there has rarely been a drop on the ground. Obviously it's still pooling but the leak is slow enough that I think it's just burning off each time I start the car. I figured I could just buy a small section of air ducting from Home Depot or somewhere and rig up a cover to keep the oil off of the o2 sensor as well as have the leak routed away from the exhaust. It seems simple enough to do i was just curious if anyone has done this before and can offer any input. My second issue I want to address is the oil pan plug. When I was changing the oil this morning I removed the plug and I noticed that there used to be an o-ring that sat about the half way down the threads on the plug. The remainder of it crumbled away as I was inspecting it. I did notice a small drop of oil forming at the head of the plug before I removed the plug so this makes sense as the o-ring was trashed. When I did a quick search for a new plug I didn't see any with this same design, can someone tell me if this is an original oil pan plug and if so can I just put a new o ring on it or am I better replacing the whole plug with an aftermarket brand. Next concern, when I was topping off the coolant there was a little piece of the tin/plastic like seal thats used to seal the new coolant container. somehow I must've dislodged a small half a dime sized piece into the bottle without realizing it. I inadvertently poured it into the radiator and couldn't fish it out. I've flushed the system once (before the small piece went in) and plan on having it professionally done when I can put some tires on it and drive it around. Question is, am I running a risk of damaging my water pump or anything else by leaving it in there for the time being? Should I drain my system again or is it not that big of deal?
My last concern is when I've started the vehicle the last couple of times I get a light wisp of vapor that comes out the exhaust. It's not cold here anymore and the outside temperatures have been between 60-70 F. The vapor does go away after a while and maybe it would go away sooner if I were actually driving the vehicle but I just wanted to know if there is anything I should be looking at or concerned about. When I changed the oil I didn't see any coolant in it, the oil still looked brand new as I had only run it in the engine for a couple of days. There was water dripping out if the exhaust as it idled which I know is normal and I'm guessing this is probably why I'm getting water vapor. My 07 4.0 ex gives me light vapor and water upon start up but never as much as this 97 5.0. I've never owned a V8 so maybe it's something to do with the larger engine and more combustion going on. Sorry this is so long but I'm learning as I'm going so I like to hear what others have to say. Overall the engine sounds great and has a very smooth idle, sounds good when I rev it too. Any input or things I should be looking for now that I have the engine running is most welcome.
