Too much fluid or bad wire?

[Jon_Herr]

Bill?

What was your final bill?

 

[Rob_B]

A lot

Well it was around $800 for the tranny work, and another $100 for the a/c recharge. So that wasn't very kewl, my dad and I had to try to decide if I should have the whole thing replaced for that much, but it seem's to be working now, so we won't put any more money into it except for fluid flushes. Other than that I'll drive it till it dies.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Steep

That was pretty steep.

As I am finding out quickly, Explorers are expensive to maintain.

I had a '98 Sport as an original owner. No problems out side of required updates (dust seals and hood latch).
At 100,000 miles I decided that...

I wanted a SOHC 4DR XLT so I traded 'up'.

Big, big mistake.

Since then:
Valve Body Update (part of tranny flush).
New intake manifold upper and lower gaskets. (Ford covered out of warranty)
New Front Timing Chain Tensioners (Ford Covered, due to program).
Updated PCM programming to fix power steering pump noise.
Updated GEM programming to fix transfer case locking up during parking lot / freeway manuvers.
Alignment requiring upper a-arm camshafts ($150).
Alignment requiring lower ball joints ($110)
New power lock actuator for right rear door ($50).

Yeah, yeah, I 'got away' cheap. But...

All of this, not to mention the fact that this explorer had only 36,000 miles on it at purchase. I traded a '98 OHV 2DR XLT Sport with 100,000 miles on it with NO PROBLEMS for a '98 SOHC 4DR XLT w/ 36,000 miles on it and a bunch of trouble.

I have no idea what happened w/ the '98 SOHC but mine has been a real piece.

There is a lot of truth to this link:
http://www.explorer4x4.com/faq.htm#16

I'm 32, twice 16, and still fell victim to this truck.

And better still:
IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD!!!! I HAVE YET TO UPGRADE IT IN ANY WAY.

An people wonder why I'm looking in to a Subaru....

Not to mention that my monthly payments are nearly $400 and I have entirely too long to pay it off.

Best of luck with your truck.
Jon

 

[Rob_B]

I hear ya

I'm kinda the same way. My dad gave me his 95 F-150 when I had proven I was a responsible driver at 16. I put 40,000 miles on that truck w/ absolutely zero problems, but I had literally no options either, so nothing to go wrong. Once I got into college I got a job on the far side of town, so putting 150-200 miles on it was getting expensive. Talked my dad into getting my Explorer (pretty good deal) last January, the day I got it the 4wd hi and lo lights started flashing at me. Shoulda took a hint. It seem's to have a new problem every month. I couldn't even tow anything w/ it because of the stupid mono-leaf rear springs, I've already upgraded to 4 door leaves, but w/ this tranny I'm still afraid to haul my trailer and camper. I've decided that when I get out of college I'm going back to an F-150 w/ a manual tranny. I'm also 6'8", so the Explorer Sport is the smallest I can go. I love the ride and options of my Ex and don't really regret getting it, it's a perfect college vehicle in the midwest winter's w/ 4wd and decent gas mileage (compared to a full size anyway).