question on tune up

[ottis]

Ok Im newer here on the forum and was just wondering what you thought on a few ideas. I am going to do fluids and plugs. I have a 93 ex. 4.0 auto with 141,000miles

First off what is the difference between say master pro radiator hoses and say gates. Gates hoses are made in my hometown but there also roughly 10 dollars more. Also using prestone antifreeze or store brand whats the difference.


2nd which i feel will cause alot of controversy is plugs and wires, Is it really necassary to run iridiums or can i go with copper core. I dont plan on any modifications. I will also be using borg warner wires.

also I changed the fuel filter with wix and oil I used 5w30 conventional valvoline with frame tough guard, tho my next oil change i plan on using wix filters.

Also some may not like this but the rocker pannel rust isnt bad yet so im going to sand and use bedliner matching the color as best possible. I think that covers my own repairs I do have to take it to a mechanic for radius are bushings and alignment since i dont have the tools to do it myself, along with have them replace my lower shock mounts i broke.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

First off what is the difference between say master pro radiator hoses and say gates. Gates hoses are made in my hometown but there also roughly 10 dollars more.

I work at a parts store that sells both brands, I can only guess which store you're talking about lol. But it seems the main difference is usually the warranty, usually it's a 1 year vs 3 year, or sometimes 1 year vs lifetime, go with whatever has the longest warranty so you don't end up spending more money in the long run.

Also using prestone antifreeze or store brand whats the difference.

I personally have used both store brand conventional green and prestone conventional green. Both chemical makeups are the same, if you have the extra cash go name brand, but either will do fine.

2nd which i feel will cause alot of controversy is plugs and wires, Is it really necassary to run iridiums or can i go with copper core. I dont plan on any modifications. I will also be using borg warner wires.

You're right, there's a lot of talk about plugs round these parts. The general consensus is to go with a platinum tipped plug. I myself run Motorcraft/Autolite (very similar constructions, go with what you can afford) Double Platinum Plugs and have seen no ill effects and my engines (4.0L OHV in a 93 Explorer, 01 SOHC V6 4.0) both love em.

also I changed the fuel filter with wix and oil I used 5w30 conventional valvoline with frame tough guard, tho my next oil change i plan on using wix filters.

Go ahead and start thinking about upgrading to at least a synthetic blended oil. From the research material I read in school (Automotive school, recently graduated) conventional oil doesn't have the same anti-wear additives they used to, but synthetic oils do. This also comes from a product engineer of major lawn mower corporation who took classes with us. He said "If your'e using anything less than synthetic blend you aren't protecting your engine"

Good Luck.

 

[fireball 440]

Good post Josh I agree with most of it. I haven't found a good plug yet, not in my Chevy 1500 or in my Exp OHV motor. Couldn't find a good plug for my grand am either. I'm buying motorcraft next time around, autolites misfire when cold on both my vehicles, both have new wires.

oil..... I believe in dino oil for dino vehicles. I have read much literature and countless internet forums on oils both 2 stroke and 4 stroke and really I think these days it's impossible to seperate fact from fiction. One thing remains true, todays conventional oils are far better then they were 20 years ago when your explorer was built, so just think of that before shelling extra dough on syn or semi syn oils. I buy good filters, this is more important these days I think.
antifreeze - its all the same. buy the straight stuff and mix it yourself, it's pointless to buy the pre-diluted stuff for twice the price.
radiator hoses - I'm cheap with hoses and belts.

 

[mr cribb]

As far as hoses are concerned check rockauto.com, I know there is a discount code under vendors on here. The prices are hard to beat.

Put it like this a thermostat, and hoses for my wifes durango(4.7) locally would cost me $75, on rock auto all of it for $56 shipped.

Plugs and wires: I'm partial to motorcraft on both- because when I did my tune up last year I pulled out what appeared to be factory stuff w/ 195k miles. I have 13k miles on my present tuneup, no issues whatsoever.

 

[ottis]

thanks for the reply's I'll look into platnium plugs and and just use the store brand coolant.
The only thing with buying online is i dont have a credit card so buying online is a no go for me.

What do you think of E3 plugs I've watched the spike tv show Horsepower tv and they say there worth it and actually are dyno proven to be more effecient and does provide more power.

 

[Nedwreck]

I run the basic Autolite spark plugs, with good wires, and get several years out of them.

Well, one time I hydro-locked my motor while four-wheeling.. those plugs didnt last long lol. (which is why I don't run more expensive plugs)

They tell me great things about Wix and NAPA Gold oil filters, but I stick with Motorcraft FL-1A filters because I know they have a great anti-drainback valve. It keeps the oil up in the motor better, and there's instant oil pressure on every start.
Full synthetic oil has been great for me. MPG is up slightly, it seems smoother, lasts longer (I change at 5000 mile intervals), and runs cooler (just a tad mind you).

Don't forget a PCV valve! It'll help keep your intake tract clean, if the old one doesn't function properly.

YMMV, there's some great advice here.