Tinkering with new EX today.

[BIGHVM]

I decided to take the toolkit to the car for the first time today since I bought it 2 weeks ago, first job was to try and see the state of play regarding the services it has had and any other jobs that need doing. It has a full history and all stamps are correct, but I prefer to know for my self!
First job was to take off the air filter housing and examine the filter- very poor condition, filthy.
Next job was to remove the maf sensor and have a look, very dirty, the metal filaments were so bad they looked like black plastic!
I decided that had to be cleaned, disconected the battery, removed it from its housing and sprayed it with carb cleaner and got to work with a few cotton buds dipped in carb cleaner, the grime and glaze came off to reveal, bright shiney filaments- after air drying for half and hour, putting it all back together and connecting the battery I fired her up and took it for a drive. Huge differance in the pick up and power band!
I have decided that I will ignore the history and do a full service for myself, that way I know for sure what has been done.


I will only use Mobil 1 oil and fram oil filter as I always have done

Any recomendations for brands, suppliers in the UK for service parts, Ie plugs, ignition leads prices etc?

 

[BIGHVM]

Just thought I would post about my experiance at Halford the other day, I went in to have a mooch and thought I would check if they had any bits for my Explorer for a service, you know the stuff, filters, leads etc. My first stop was to have a look at the vast range of spark plugs, so I did what most of us would have done and looked for the little flip card book they use to show type for vehicle application.........None to be found, I asked an assisitant, who told me they would have to phone another store, she did after a long wait, and came back with, " sorry the other branch has a book but pages are missing"! Disappointed I looked further for some more items, plug leads was my next search........I looked at a massive wall of plug leads and again for a referance book........I dont believe it, the same deal, no book! I picked up a box of leads and noticed that they had the application list on the sides, but I never had the time to sift through loads of boxes.
Then I went to look for an upgrade to the standard headlights in the Explorer.........It was at this point I decided to leave the store and vowed to never return, ever.......what is probably the biggest UK seler of car bits and stuff, was in this experiance as much use as a chocolate tea pot! Like asking Roy Orbison for directions, like peeing on an electric fence!
I was crazed with the complete lack of service, why buy in the stock if you cant referance it for sale.
Its really is hard to find bits for the Explorer in most UK shops in the high street, but this level of difficulty is extreme. The brance, Isleworth..........my custom lost for good!

 

[blueka]

Between Halfrauds n Frauds.. we're screwed really... haha

Si

 

[BIGHVM]

Our UK xplorers.

Yeah, hell knows how we manage to keep them on the road but for shear determination and a love for the model.
To own an Explorer in the UK with our crippling fuel prices currently in the region of £1.03 per litre, hard to get parts and a dealer that has no clue at all about the model is a minor miracle and its thanks I give to this site and the knowledgable and sharing individuals here for making ownership pleasurable.

Thanks to you all! Cheers!

 

[blueka]

Talking about dealers having no clue, I went into the one in Speke in Liverpool a few months ago and asked them to do a check to see if there were any outstanding recalls on my Explorer...

The lovely young lady behind the counter looked at me and ever so intelligently asked me, "what's an Explorer?"

I pointed out of the window and said, "that big, black 4x4 over there"

to which she replied, "oh, that's a ranger hun, not an Explorer"

I was shocked, I gave her the chassis number and she came back with," I've never heard of an Explorer before, are you sure it's a Ford?"

Where do they get the staff from? and why am I still jobless?

Si

 

[DuncanOfEngland]

If you go to a motor factors you might have more luck. Some are now listing a fair bit of Explorer stuff, since the major pattern parts manufacturers are becoming interested.

Here's a list of parts which I have found to be suitable for SOHC Explorers

Spark Plugs : NGK PTR5D-13
Serpentine belt : Gates 6PK2203
Engine Oil: 5W-30 Semi-synthetic
Oil Filter: Fram PH8A, Coopers Z877
Air filter: Coopers AG1435

Some are now listing brake parts at sensible prices too.

Duncan

 

[SNK]

UK support is terrible!

Not only are Halfords poor but as has been said Ford UK are clueless. I asked for a 90K service price and after three calls nobody came back with a price. They give the impression that they have never done a service on an Ex. Amazing as here in Essex there are a LOT of them on the roads. Halfords couldn't even supply a paint that matched my car!

 

[blueka]

I've seen a few up here.. I might do some flyers so that we get more members!!

Si

 

[BIGHVM]

What are we to do guys, just rely on the info we can give each other and the help we can offer. If you huys know any GOOD sources for Ex bits a sticky here for UK people would do some good!

Flyers is a good thing, maybe window stickers to, I would wear one for sure!
(See what you can do Howard mate) -Thanks!!!
H