UK Explorer owners, Help!

[EmmaJane]

i got there first lol, we did meet up and have a look over the ex, as you said jan it had too many faults and wouldv cost alot to get it right then comparing a ex with lpg allready fitted

HI
thanks again for looking the ex over. I went to a garage with it yesterday and they think it could be fixed but the chain like you said is a big job because it takes time to do. Don't suppose you fancy doing some freelance repair work?

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

HI
thanks again for looking the ex over. I went to a garage with it yesterday and they think it could be fixed but the chain like you said is a big job because it takes time to do. Don't suppose you fancy doing some freelance repair work?

no problem , im sure we can arrange something to do that, what are your intentions of doing to it now?

 

[janolsson]

Ok whats up with the old girl (i mean the ex not emma as i wouldn't be so rude )
You mention chain. Does that mean it rattles or is it just a case of do the oom12 kit?
Get a list up Emma and we'll point you in the direction of how to's

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

The rear chain rattles so assuming the kit is needed or could be worse the guides are gone? got no power to the radio or cig lighter, both front doors do not lock on remote or key, both sides upper and lower ball joints are gone, rear wiper only works when you push it.

 

[EmmaJane]

The rear chain rattles so assuming the kit is needed or could be worse the guides are gone? got no power to the radio or cig lighter, both front doors do not lock on remote or key, both sides upper and lower ball joints are gone, rear wiper only works when you push it.

Yes that's most of it but also the 4x4 is not switching properly. But I do love her!
The mechanics at Battersea auto gas were great and has a good look at the engine and said that was looking good.
But they charge an awful lot per hour so although the parts won't break the bank the labour would!

 

[EmmaJane]

no problem , im sure we can arrange something to do that, what are your intentions of doing to it now?

That would be amazing! I think the door locks and the chain rattle would be first?

 

[janolsson]

If it is the rear chain i doubt a new tensioner will sort it. It will be the rear guide and as such will need the engine pulling. Once the engine is out its only a couple of hours to strip the gubbins off the top and replace the rear cassette assuming you have the otc-6488 tools to set the timing. If you have the engine out to do the rear chains it would be madness not replace the front tensioner for the jack shaft to crank chain and the front cam cassette unless you know they have been done already. There was a thread recently where someone was buying the whole chain kit (Gates) from rock auto but i don't know what they paid with shipping and taxes.
For my money i would not consider spending the sort of money this would cost at a garage (other than explorerpartsuk £650) for a car that is worth less than that, esp when you can buy a resonable example of the car for the cost of the job. I think this is one of the reasons there are fewer of these cars around now.
And i would not let anyone that doesn't know these engines to work on them, i have seen first hand what a mess even seasoned mechanic can make of it when they are guessing.

 

[EmmaJane]

If it is the rear chain i doubt a new tensioner will sort it. It will be the rear guide and as such will need the engine pulling. Once the engine is out its only a couple of hours to strip the gubbins off the top and replace the rear cassette assuming you have the otc-6488 tools to set the timing. If you have the engine out to do the rear chains it would be madness not replace the front tensioner for the jack shaft to crank chain and the front cam cassette unless you know they have been done already. There was a thread recently where someone was buying the whole chain kit (Gates) from rock auto but i don't know what they paid with shipping and taxes.
For my money i would not consider spending the sort of money this would cost at a garage (other than explorerpartsuk £650) for a car that is worth less than that, esp when you can buy a resonable example of the car for the cost of the job. I think this is one of the reasons there are fewer of these cars around now.
And i would not let anyone that doesn't know these engines to work on them, i have seen first hand what a mess even seasoned mechanic can make of it when they are guessing.

Hi Are you saying its not worth fixing? I'm also looking at a North Face ex with 77,000 & in much better condition. They are asking £1400 what do you think? sell this one & buy the NF?

 

[janolsson]

Hi Are you saying its not worth fixing? I'm also looking at a North Face ex with 77,000 & in much better condition. They are asking £1400 what do you think? sell this one & buy the NF?

Hi emma
I can't possibly decide for you and as i haven't seen the general condition of the car or heard the engine rattle i can't comment on fix or sell.

However the electrical fault may be as simple as a fuse or a bad connection at the fuse box so simple cheap fix.

As for the engine, if it is the front chain rattling this can be fixed fairly quickly and relatively cheaply by someone that knows these engines and has the kit. In Fact if you or someone that is willing to work for nothing wants to DIY it you could do all the chains for £500 all in if you already have hoist and all the other kit you would need. But and this is a big but (and i can not lie) to take out and fix the engine will be approx 16-20 hours work. So times that by whatever a mechanic will charge per hour and you are looking at a huge bill. Like i say just the front chains can be done in situ with only the removal of the rad to gain better access to the front timing cover and hence time wise 6-10 hours depending upon competency.
As you can find good examples that have had the chains done already so less likely to need doing for 1200-1800 then that would be something to consider.

I do all my own work on cars now so its easier for me to make these decisions because i can get a difinitive cost of the parts and my time is free so it is easy to decide if it is worth it or not.

 

[chrystal]

I had both chains done by Justin at Explorerparts uk in Wales, that and other stuff (intake manifold gasket) cost me £800. Also if it is only £150 diffence between parts + DIY or Justin, personally that would be a great way to spend £150. I got them done in 2010. However what made my decision easier is that I have had ours from when it was 3 years old and only had 30,000miles on it.

It all depends on how it has been looked after. There are alot of known faults on these (which mine has had - chains, radio display, airbag light, intake manifold gaskets, IAC, both front ball joints, front hubs) which can get expensive to correct. My local garage charges £40 per hour and 1 lower joint cost £140. Plus I havnt come across a car that is so hard to change the spark plugs!

However, that aside, they are big, carry loads, comfy, joy to drive, great in the snow/ crap weather we get in the UK. Any car can be a money pit - all are money pits!

 

[BIGHVM]

Hi I'm in tooting so should I come to you or meet at ikea?

Hello,
I'm very local to you in Mitcham- fancy letting our explorers meet each other whenever your free anyone else local is welcome too!