Wow! (Plus some advice please!!!)

[km449]

Picked up my 65k V reg 2000 ex Chief of Sussex Police Explorer yesterday and haven't stopped grinning!

What a machine! Supersmooth engine, mint inside and out, drives like a dream, and all for only 2600! That included 6 months tax and mot to May 2007! Only thing missing is the orange lens cover for the n/s indicator.

Came with the job sheet from the police garage - they look after their boss that's for sure. Serviced at 10k, 20k, 28k, 36k, 42k, 50k, 59k and 64k.

Can I ask a few questions though please

A) At 50k the clutch and pulley were replaced. What does this mean in plain english to us technophobes!!

B) Is the orange lens cover for the n/s indicator a standard Ford part - it looks like those on the escort etc?

C) Needless to say the elec aerial has a mind of it's own. I plan to replace it with a standard non powered one. Are there any problems I should foresee?

D) It had a new rear wiper blade at 42k but the blade itself hardly touches the rear screen when you use it. Is there an adjustment that can be done or is it simply a case of fitting a new blade?

E) What is the knack of getting the locking petrol cap off "easily"! Took me ages to get it undone and that seemed to be more by luck than judgement!
The petrol station staff found it highly amusing!

Many thanks for any guidance you can give

Thanks

Keith

 

[Howard]

Well lets see if I can answer your questions,

A) As its an auto there is no clutch to speak of. So I would guess that we are talking about either the fan clutch or the ac clutch. The pulley was probably to do with the serpentine belt.

B) Do you mean the one on the wing? If so then yes its a standard part but beware of Ford dealers. Most of them know little to nothing about Explorers and some parts are never available and always on back order. If it is the side one then I think you will find that any good accessory shop (the kind that sells custom bits) will be able to help you. They look like those add on parts that they sell.

C) You should be ok with replacing the ariel but it is a bit fiddle. There is a connector just inside the foot well by the throttle pedal that has power and coax connector to it.

D) This is a common problem and I found that dirt gets trapped in the wiper arm and stops it touching the screen. Because in park it is further away from the glass.

E) The knack with the cap is to hold the cap whilst turning the key.

I hope you enjoy your x I know that I do enjoy mine. I would get a Haynes manual and a good set of tools so that you can do your own work on her.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the board Km449 and good luck with your new Explorer. Howard is the man to ask as his knowledge is vast. Howard I always look forward to reading your post. They are always spot on and a good read. I wish I could offer adice on late model UK Explorers, but the bulk of my knowledge is limited to 1st generation US models ('91-'94). Even when I know an answer (relevant to a US model) I am hesitant to post because I don't know if the UK model is different (don't want to send a bloke on the wrong direction).

 

[km449]

Thanks to you both for your posts. Much appreciated and good to be on board!

Re
A) I will contact the police as I have their job no. to see what they did. Will let you know

B) Yes it's the orange repeater lens, oval shaped, thats missing from the side of the n/s front wing. There's a breakers about 10 miles away so will try them first

C) With a bit of brute force and ignorance I managed to prise the aerial into the up position where it works fine. It doesnt power on and off but that's fine by me!

D) Is there a recommended fix for this - is the easisest thing to replace the arm itself. Checked it yesterday and there's little pressure on the blade, if any.

E) Will do a few trial runs at home

Btw - how does one post pics here?

Thanks for all that help and encouragement - much appreciated

All the best

Keith

 

[DeRocha]

To post pictures (and avatar) you either need to become an elite member see follow link below, or have pictures hosted by another photo site and link them...
Picture forum

 

[Zulu95]

Clutch & pully. Sounds like the A/C was giving a problem.