Possibly buying 1999 Eddie Bauer

[IcePenguin]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums here, but this looks like a great placeto get some much-needed advice.

I'm looking at buying a 1999 Explorer Eddie Bauer. I stopped by to test drive it today, and I have to say, I'm really impressed with it. It's very clean looking, and I like the features of it. The tires are fairly new, brakes felt good, handled well, etc, etc. I'm going back tomorrow to take a look at it during the daylight, and I need some advice or suggestions of things to look for. The vehicle has high miles on it, 133K, but the price is right and I need 4WD for where I go to college. Any problem points with this vehicle I should look out for? It's got the 4L V6, and the owner said that in a year and a half of driving it, all he's had to do was change the oil on it.

Another question: I have a nice aftermarket headunit in my current car, but I really like the RDS feature of the Mach stereo in the Explorer. Downside is, the Mach headunit doesn't have an Aux-In (6 disc changer uses it). So, can I get a splitter/selector for the Aux-In, or should I use my existing head unit. I ask this because...

I have a subwoofer in my car and want to carry it over to the Explorer if I get it. Right now, I'm running RCA signal to the Amp, but I have the capability to tap into High Voltage speaker wire to get the signal to the amp. Obviously I know that running RCAs is the best option, but I should have no problem tapping into the speaker wire, should I?

Thanks for your time!

Nick

 

[99ex22]

Look out for the Death Rattle!!!! It's the timing chain tensioner rattle. the plastic tensioners wear out and it rattles. Only while cold though then it goes away. So if you are looking at it or driving it while it's warm you will not here it. It's about a 1500.00 job to fix it. ( You have to pull the motor to get to it). So when you look at it tomarow make sure the guy hasnt driven it that day. Make sure it's cold when you start it up. Wait for the idle to drop from 1100 RPM down to 800 RPM and if you here it don't buy it! Search timing chain rattle or Death rattle in the search up above and you will find many threads on the topic. The dealer had the truck warmed up when I bought mine.

 

[96eb96]

Look out for the Death Rattle!!!! It's the timing chain tensioner rattle. the plastic tensioners wear out and it rattles. Only while cold though then it goes away. So if you are looking at it or driving it while it's warm you will not here it. It's about a 1500.00 job to fix it. ( You have to pull the motor to get to it). So when you look at it tomarow make sure the guy hasnt driven it that day. Make sure it's cold when you start it up. Wait for the idle to drop from 1100 RPM down to 800 RPM and if you here it don't buy it! Search timing chain rattle or Death rattle in the search up above and you will find many threads on the topic. The dealer had the truck warmed up when I bought mine.

This is true, I know many who had this issue. It is only on the SOHC engines. If the engine is an SOHC be you must be aware of this. The OHV does not have this problem at all.

 

[IcePenguin]

Thank you both for the replies!

Did the 4 liter V6 come in both SOHC and OHV? If so, I'll get under the hood tomorrow and find out. I don't suppose precautionary maintenance on this would be cheap, eh?

Nick

 

[96eb96]

Thank you both for the replies!

Did the 4 liter V6 come in both SOHC and OHV? If so, I'll get under the hood tomorrow and find out. I don't suppose precautionary maintenance on this would be cheap, eh?

Nick

Yes, it could be either engine in that year. The SOHC is more powerful, but has that skeleton in the closet. The OHV has decent power, old technology, but is extremely reliable, as good as any foreign engine could be.

And my rust warning for the snow belt - Inspect carefully the truck for severe rust - brake lines rust out and leak, shackles in the back retaining the leaf springs, look at the power steering lines near the rack, and you should probably change the starter because the brush contact corrodes.

Not a deal breaker but I did replace all this stuff.

And make sure the blend door..the heating system goes from full hot to A/C with no issues. Listen for any creaking noises or cold air when it should be heat as you drive around. This is a major issue on some of these trucks, not sure if its fixed in 99, good to check that on any used car.

Also, make sure the transmission shifts very well, no hanging in gears, hesitating, or flaring. Check the trans dipstick if there is any evidence of burnt fluid.

They are pretty good rigs otherwise.

 

[Cozmik]

Also look to see if there are actually rocker panels left underneath the plastic trim. They tend to rust away over time. My 98 Sport barely has enough sheet metal left to hold the trim on.

 

[IcePenguin]

Thanks to all who replied!

I went back and took a look at it today, in the daylight. For whatever reason, I notice a bunch of things that I didn't or couldn't before.

The front end needs alignment, it pulls to the right.
Stopped at an intersection not soon after starting it, it idled rough, surged, and almost stalled out.
The vehicle seemed to sway back and forth quite a bit on the highway, even though there was hardly any wind.
And, the dealbreaker, I popped 4x4 high on (yeah I know, not supposed to on dry pavement, I didn't drive it for very long that way), and not only did a lot of whine come from the front end, but several loud clunks occurred not only right after I engaged 4x4, but also when stopping the vehicle to park it.

I decided that I'm not going to take out a loan to buy a vehicle with a bunch of problems, even though I really like the Explorer's look inside and out.

Nick

 

[99ex22]

Thanks to all who replied!

I went back and took a look at it today, in the daylight. For whatever reason, I notice a bunch of things that I didn't or couldn't before.

The front end needs alignment, it pulls to the right.
Stopped at an intersection not soon after starting it, it idled rough, surged, and almost stalled out.
The vehicle seemed to sway back and forth quite a bit on the highway, even though there was hardly any wind.
And, the dealbreaker, I popped 4x4 high on (yeah I know, not supposed to on dry pavement, I didn't drive it for very long that way), and not only did a lot of whine come from the front end, but several loud clunks occurred not only right after I engaged 4x4, but also when stopping the vehicle to park it.

I decided that I'm not going to take out a loan to buy a vehicle with a bunch of problems, even though I really like the Explorer's look inside and out.

Nick

The alignment would probably take care of the swaying and pulling. the stalling thing...sounds like a fuel filter to me-easy fix or a tune up which is also a easy fix. also it is normal for there to be some noise when its in 4wd. Service the transmission, axles and transfer case it will probably be alot smoother. I bought mine in a simalar condition as that one sounds like. within a month I had all the fluids changed out to synthetic and it's a dream to drive now.