What are the Common problems with a 94' Explorer LTD?

[Twilightcall]

I just bought a 94' Explorer Limited and I was wondering what are some of the common problems I should look out for or be aware of? It has over 150K on it. Thanks.

 

[AspenX]

91-94s have a weak automatic transmission, other than that they are pretty stout trucks. Oh and welcome to the site.

 

[jimbo74]

i was going to say that other than the transmission, there isnt much to worry about except for maintenance items

 

[Con Seann3ry]

yah...auto trans, search around the site if you wanna learn more about that

 

[slag]

93-94 trannys do not go out nearly as often as 91-92 do.

I would tow a boat with a 93 or 94 (and did), but would hesitate doing that often with a 91-92.

cracked heads are relatively common on these as well as interior trim door handles falling off, AC dying, bad radiators, etc.

 

[Twilightcall]

Thanks Guys. I am excited. I pick up my Exp. today. I am glad to hear that the tranny issues aren't as common on 94's.
So look for overheating problems too? Thanks Again.

 

[F14CRAZY]

I just bought a 94' Explorer Limited and I was wondering what are some of the common problems I should look out for or be aware of? It has over 150K on it. Thanks.

I don't think the overheating problems should deter you from buying it, but a radiator flush and fill is always a good thing. I agree that these transmissions are a bit weak. Limiteds had "Supe Cooling" as standard equipment. (whatever that that REALLY means)

Other than that, Limiteds are awesome! It better be Oxford White...

 

[Rhett]

The 94 "Super Cooling" package means a 3-row radiator and aux transmission cooler.
I like limiteds, I wouldn't mind getting one of those Limited grilles, paint it black and put it in my truck.

 

[Twilightcall]

Yes it is White with Tan Leather Interior. It is great. I just picked it up today. I will have to look up and see what all of the Limiteds came with. Thanks Again for all of the info guys.

 

[rocco123]

My '94 has 120K on it. Yours has more miles & probably has already experienced these "problems'
So far I have replaced :
-the Radius arm bushings ( U can plan on these being worn) around 70K.
- replaced my radiator last month, only cost $100.00 (radiators .com)
-Last year I replaced a freeze plug on the L side of the block due to a antifreeze seep.( Do NOT use rubber plugs, they eventually blow out at the worst time).
-My tape player just broke ( I took the tape player/ radio apart & disconnected it so I now only have a radio).
-Got a free set of 5 Michelin tires (still very good tires) a few years ago due to the recall ( thanks Firestone).
-Replaced the silver box that controls the EGR valve (corroded) 3 months ago.
-If U have problems with pinging, make sure U clean the MAP sensor... this worked for me.
-Cruise control broke, so I troubleshot & replaced the control box (in the dash above the glove box).
-L wheel cylinder leaked a month ago... replaced that.
- Changed the belt at 85K.. just to be safe. Changed all heater & rad hoses for insurance.
Plugs, wires, oil, brakes, filters as needed.
- Replaced the battery at it's life limit of 5 years.
- Replaced the L front U joint due to wear ( clunking sound when in 4WD with hubs locked in).

- U need to convert the auto hubs to manuals.. I posted a few times on this.. 4WD won't work & it will seem like something is grinding when they are worn.
- Recall on liftgate brackets.
- Replaced the shocks with Ranchos.

That's about it... as far as problem areas, I would say the radius arms & auto hubs were the real "problem areas" of explorers. Gotta keep things lubed Never had tranny problems. Replaced tranny fluid couple years back. Other stuff is standard maintenance... never even had to replace any exhaust components, although I did remove the heat shield (common with Fords).
Update: I did have to replace the intermediate & OD bands in the tranny due to the intermediate band braking at 125K mi. Probably would not have attempted this without the help of Glacier991 ( Thanks Glacier!)

This truck needs to last, so I take care of it. :exp:

You will find many good tips on this site. Everyone helps when you have a problem. I like that, & so I try to help where I can by commenting on what I know ( although most of my experience is in aircraft maintenance).

 

[slag]

- U need to convert the auto hubs to manuals.. I posted a few times on this.. 4WD won't work & it will seem like something is grinding when they are worn.

I disagree.

I've owned 4 1st gens, a 93 with 125k on it when i sold it, a 91 with 276 k on it when i sold it, a 91 with 140k on it, and now a 92 with 93k on it.

I haven't driven the 92 yet, but none of the others have needed the hubs replaced or any work whatsoever aside from normal wheel bearing repack and clean up of the hubs. I don't think they go out as often as people think they do, and, if and when they do, you can get good replacements at the junkyard (at least my local one carries them), for $35.00 apiece, guaranteed.

 

[Craig Russell]

My 94 Exploder Limited has 144,000 Miles. The Premiun Radio CD was fixed once & worked for two months.Speed control doesn't work. Speedometer now wands all over. Power window switch drivers side not working. Rear view mirror falls off every time temperature is above 90. Bolsters on leather seats are spliting due to no support.All black paint trim is peeling been repainted twice and prep was good. PCU replaced once.ERG system replaced once. Clean mass air flow sensor all the time to keep ping down. Replaced tires three times (Doesn't Firestone make a great tire). Would I buy another Explorer? Yes! I'll never learn.

 

[thewishkah]

ok 94 xlt
1)5 transmission 2 new 3 rebuilds (rebuilds done at diff shops)
2)brakes go really quick as in comparason to alot of other trucks (for example my 2002 yukon hasnt gone in for brakes once sine i got it new and since them my 94 x has been in 4 times 2 times needing rotors cause they crack from heat
3)all new a/c system replaced one part the seals on the next thing go
4)bushings
5)auto hubs(replaced with warn manual and i love them)
6)various electrical issues(windows, radio, lights)

 

[F14CRAZY]

I disagree.

I've owned 4 1st gens, a 93 with 125k on it when i sold it, a 91 with 276 k on it when i sold it, a 91 with 140k on it, and now a 92 with 93k on it.

I haven't driven the 92 yet, but none of the others have needed the hubs replaced or any work whatsoever aside from normal wheel bearing repack and clean up of the hubs. I don't think they go out as often as people think they do, and, if and when they do, you can get good replacements at the junkyard (at least my local one carries them), for $35.00 apiece, guaranteed.

Yeah! Auto hubs! I'm never switching. Great for when you're in a snowstorm or other situation, where you refuse to go outside the truck, and you can't get the g/f or wife to either.

 

[Rhett]

94 Sport 108,000 miles. The only thing I've had to do is:
1) radius arm bushings at 75,000.

Other than normal maintenance, that's IT. 2 tranny flushes/filter is normal maintenance (one at 65,000, one at 105,000 miles). 3 sets of shocks and tires in that time is normal maintenance on any vehicle. Cleaning the MAF is normal maintenance on any vehicle.

 

[Jason94sport]

I really don't think year or maintance has anythng to do with what breaks on an Explorer. It varies so much. I think factors like abuse...I mean hard drving weather, & luck play more of a role. I know people who have replaced tons of things. Yet others who haven't had any problems at all.

 

[Rhett]

Jason94's right, how well the vehicle has been taken care of is key...
a truck can have all regular maintenance done, but if it's been used and abused, all those nice oil changes and tranny flushes won't mean jack squat...

Besides, most people don't know about any "routine" maintenance other than oil changes. Otherwise, they just replace things when they wear out, like tires, or brake pads when they get down to the wear marks ("Oh! I hear my brakes squealing! I guess it's time to get new pads!". The person *should* have gotten new pads 5,000 miles before they noticed squealing...

 

[shifty1]

Yeah! Auto hubs! I'm never switching. Great for when you're in a snowstorm or other situation, where you refuse to go outside the truck, and you can't get the g/f or wife to either.

I changed mine and they're great.
Easy conversion, can be done during routine bearing re-pack.
If you are in a snowstorm, chances are you knew it was coming or at least a possibility. If thats the case, just lock in your hubs before you leave your driveway, you wont hurt them by driving with them on.
I've left them locked for weeks.

My auto hubs blew at 120km(I'm in Canada), on a very slight incline in a driveway.

 

[Jason94sport]

If you are in a snowstorm, chances are you knew it was coming or at least a possibility. If thats the case, just lock in your hubs before you leave your driveway, you wont hurt them by driving with them on.

I heard that is not true & you can damage the front suspension by doing this.

 

[Rhett]

I heard that is not true & you can damage the front suspension by doing this.

I have to agree, in general...if you drive with your hubs locked on DRY pavement, you ARE going to get binding in the front driveline, esp. in turns...which means you will get more wear and stress on the front u-joints and hubs...

Try doing a turn with the hubs locked on dry pavement. You'll hear a lot of popping. That's your front driveline popping.

Now, if you drive with hubs locked on snow or mud or dirt, the tires can slip some and there isn't so much strain on the front driveline. So if you are in a snowstorm, with snow everywhere, you could lock them in right away if you wanted.