(Possible) New 96 XLT HELP

[MrQ]

Hey all,

My parents are looking at a 1996 Ford Explorer with 116,000 miles for $2000. Its in great condition with no problems, cold A/C, leather interior, power everything, new tires, no dents or scratches.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1801949478.html

Since, this is my first time with a 2nd gen, what do I need to look for? Also I am not to crazy about it if it has a SOHC because of the timing chain issues. We are looking at keeping this vehicle for several years and need to know that having that engine will not cost us thousands to repair down the road.

 

[rileyrs]

just check over it well.
look for rust. see how fast the tranny drops into gear. start the engine COLD and listen for chain rattles, then drive it while its still cold with a window down to listen. if you hear no rattles, then it should be ok.
look for leaks anywhere.
does it run smooth? shift smooth?
if its 4wd make sure it engages.
feel the front end to make sure its all tight.
get it going on the highway to listen for any rear end noise.
look at all the body panels to make sure they lign up very straight.
look at the brake pedal, if the right bottom corner is very worn, thats a sign that most of the miles are city ones, which generally isn't as easy on the car.

if you have access to a vehicle lift its nice since you can really get a look under it, if not some friendly shops might look at it for free really quick to tell ya if they see anything goin on.

ask the owner about maintenance. make sure the seller knows that you know what your talking about when it comes to cars, so he knows not to bs you, and to give you a straight answer. if the seller ever seems uncomfortable when you ask him about anything being serviced or any problems, take that as a warning sign.

and mainly, dont be afraid to VERY thoroughly check everything out, and take it for a long test drive, if the seller is bothered by this, again, thats a warning sign.

good luck!

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Remember to run a carfax anything before purchasing.

Not really anything that different that you shouldn't already know to look for.

Forget it if the transmission fluid is anything less than red.

SOHCs just get more of a bad rep on the forum than anything else. The chain tensioners don't just go boom all of a sudden and leave you stranded, you will begin to hear them and tell when they begin to loosen well in advance before anything needs to be done. Many owners resort to fixing the chain tensioners a year or two or about 20-40k miles after they begin to hear bad noises from them.

That generation SOHC also had dual intake runners on the intake manifold with separate throttle valves in each piston intake runner connected to a solenoid that varies at each rpm to increase air flow to considerably boost the torque and hp. If I'm not mistaken.

If it's a SOHC just make sure that its nice and quite with no marble sound. If it is runs very quiet than its likely that the tensioners are still in very good shape. And it may have already have had all the tensioner work done to it anyway if you can find out.

But for a 2nd gen, a OHV would have less to check for if you were given the option.

 

[marragtop]

Are you sure it's the SOHC? In 96 they made both the OHV and SOHC.

 

[Joe Dirt]

The SOHC wasn't an option until 1997...

BTW- that truck looks familiar!

 

[MrQ]

And it was also trash. A waste of time and effort. A/c didn't work interior was trashed and stunk the rear power locks wouldn't work and it had the blend door issue.

We'll keep looking. All we have is $2000. I am hoping some of you guys have better ideas.

 

[Joe Dirt]

While I wouldn't expect to find a 100% no issues Ex for $2,000 they are out there. Takes a bit of looking... Good luck!