1998 Ford Explorer
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used 1998 Ford Explorer

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Q: What are your thoughts on a 1998 Ford Explorer?
I am hoping to buy a used 1998 Ford Explorer within the next week from an owner. It seems it was well-kept but has almost 150K miles. It has a re-manufactured transmission with 20K miles on it.

I want to know roughly how many miles do Fords usually get?

If you own a Ford Explorer, what do you think of it?

Thanks!

A: I owned a ‘98 Explorer that I bought in 2000. It had 18k miles when we bought it, and 85k when we sold it. We usually don’t keep a vehicle much past 90k miles.

It was a good, comfortable SUV that gave decent mpg, great in the snow, and I don’t think it ever left us stranded.

Ours had the 4.0 V6 that ran great, but we did have the timing chain replaced at about 30k miles, due to a strange noise. According to others, that was a rare problem.

We had an issue with the automatic 4WD transfer case shuddering under acceleration. The dealer changed all kinds of parts with no success, so I changed the fluid in the transfer case and fixed it for under $3.00. It was burned fluid, and the problem never came back.

After the string of vehicles we have owned since, I wish we had the old Explorer back. With proper maintenance and no abuse, it should go past 200k miles before any major repairs are required.

Q: Which used transmissions will work with my 1998 Ford Explorer?
1998 Ford Explorer XLT automatic transmission is slipping going into third gear. Which years will still fit? I recall the 1997 and 1998 Explorer tranny is the same. What about Ford Ranger?

A: there should be a service tag on the side of trans. but i would be careful of switching between years of vehicles, they change the electronics from year to year usually and from vehicle to vehicle. best bet is to build the 1 you got.

Q: What do you guys think of a used ‘98 ford explorer?
1998 Ford Explorer XLT SOHO
135,000 miles
power everything
leather seats
amazing condition/ no dents or anything

but i have no idea how the engine or transmision works
and i cant afford to take it to a dealer or mechanic to check it out

so what are some common problems with fords?
and what do you think about it?

A: The biggest concern with those with the 4.0 SOHC engine was the timing chain tensioners. If you’ve got a problem with those, your best bet for repair is a dealer. There are special tools to set the timing on them, the easiest thing to check for is a ticking noise from the engine. You could also have a dealership run the VIN number and see if repairs were already made. Other than that they were really good vehicles.

Q: Type of gear oil to use on rear end of 1998 Ford Explorer?
It is an XLT, has the 5.0 V8 and has full time AWD. Im feeling a slight vibration from the rear end and figured I’d just top off the fluid and give that a shot. Anyone know what grade gear oil to use in it?

A: check with ur local auto parts store and try to get lucas oil for it

Q: Why are my brake lights not working on my 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
Hello,
I just noticed that both of my brake lights are out on my 1998 Explorer Sport, and I couldn’t even get them to work after replacing them with brand new bulbs. The reverse and parking lights work, but I couldn’t get the brake lights to come on at all. The bulbs that were being used don’t even look burned out.

Does anyone have any help they could offer or has anyone had a similar problem and found a solution. I’m definitely trying to avoid going to a mechanic at all costs!!! Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

A: first check the fuses (15a fuse in slot 27 in the interior fuse panel) . the check the brake on/off switch located at the pedal. also check to make sure you have good wiring from the switch to the light sockets (check but using an ohm meter) to make sure there isn’t a break in the wiring between the switch and lights, especially near the boo switch under the dash. also check to make sure you have a good ground at the lights (behind left side kick panel)
also, if you have add on trailer harness, check to make sure that isn’t interfering in any way

Q: What tires are best for a 1998 Ford Explorer?
I have a 98 Explorer, V6, 2 Dr. that I bought used. The tires that were on the vehicle when I purchased it were Goodyear 255/70R16. This is not the original size. I am wondering 1) why a different size from the original would be used? 2) if I were to purchase new tires, what size and brand should I buy? Thanks.

A: Look onto the driver side door panel. It should state the size.. The 255 is a little too wide for this vehicle. I would imagined if it is 2wd it would be 235 75r 16 or 245 75r 16. As for brand, any name brand will work. Personally, I like Goodyears, Michelin, or Briggstone.

Q: how many quarts of oil do i use for an oil change on a 1998 ford explorer?
how many quarts of oil do i use for an oil change on a 1998 ford explorer

A: If you look at page 210 of your owner’s manual

or here http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOWEXP/~MUS~LEN/42/98expog1e.pdf

It states that you will need 5 quarts of oil when performing and oil and oil filter change.

It amazes me how inept most “ASE/Pro mechanics” on Yahoo Answers are.

Q: Why does a battery get discharged on a 1998 Ford Explorer.?
Hello. I recently tried to fix the door ajar light and alarm on my 1998 Ford Explorer. I tried some remedies including pulling out the fuse for the charm. Although the noise went away, I could not use the speedo. I returned the fuse to its proper place and now the battery is being discharged. I had the alternator and Voltage Regulator tested and they both were fine. I swapped the regulator but it is still discharging the batter. Any suggestions anyone?

A: sounds like you have a parasitic drain. try this, with an ammeter set at a high scale(10 amps as an example) connect between the posative post and the posative cable with the key off (you will have to disconnect it.) take a reading. now start removing fuses one at a time, taking a reading after each and every fuse. when you see the meter drop to less than an amp, remember that circuit. that was your parasitic drain, now comes the fun part, disecting that circuit. look at a wiring diagram for that circuit and find out what was on that circuit, and pretty much do the same thing as before now disconnectiong every accesory until you see the drop again. as soon as you find the drop, there is the problem.

Q: I just replaced the catalytic converter in a 1998 Ford Explorer…now it idles rough….Why?
I just replaced both catalytic converters on my 1998 Ford Explorer. Obviously, I used universal replacements because of price but according to the mechanic..the new ones were better than the old ones. The reason I replaced was because the Check Engine light was on and now the light is off and staying off but I swear the car idles rougher and sounds louder than it did before. It drives perfectly fine and I have noticed that it picks up better than before. It ran smooth with the bad converters but seems rougher with the new ones. What’s going on with it? If more info is needed, I am more than willing to answer. Please help. Thanks.
I just the Explorer back in July last year and to my knowledge, the motor has about 60,000 miles on it and the car has close to 160,000. I am planning on doing a tune-up to see if it helps.
Actually that converters were burnt up and I was told the fuel filter was burnt up as well and that’s what caused the converters to go bad. I replaced both converters and fuel filter as well.

A: it doesn’t idle rough, it is no different than before, i drive it every day so i think i would be able to tell more than you!! love you

Q: 1998 Ford Explorer Electrical Malfunction?
I get the “door ajar” light and alarm intermittently as I drive this vehicle although the doors are all closed and secure. Does anyone have a fuse box layout for the 1998 Ford Explorer 4 door XLT I can use to at least silence the alarm?

A: The door switches on this are built into the door latches, try spraying penetrating oil on them and working the door latch several times. If that doesn’t fix it, then you will have to determine which latch is causing the problem and replace it. The best way is with a scan tool that will communicate with the GEM module. They cost way more than $5 and you have to take off the door panel to replace them. You would think a Ford certified master tech and a shop owner would know this, but this is Yahoo! Answers.

Q: what type of oil do i use for a 1998 ford explorer?

A: 10-40w is good for almost any engine. Give the ford dealer a call if you want a specific answer. (assuming you dont have an owners manual)

Q: 1998 ford explorer eddie bauer not starting?
My 1998 ford explorer does crank on starting but there is no compression. when you open the hood you can see the alternator belt running and you can hear the crank shaft turning but not the cam. We have checked and the timing chain is not broken. we have not checked the state of the valves. I am sure the vehicle is meant to use unleaded gasoline but we use blended petrol. any idea as to what the problem is and how it can be fixed. The local ford dealer has no idea as to what the problem is.
there is a spark coming from the plugs
you can also turn the engine with your hand
We have opened the cam cover, cranked the engine and observed the rocker. The cam does not seem to be broken.

A: A possibility could be that the camshaft has broken behind the first cam bearing and has left the valves in a way that no compression can be built up. This is something that doesn’t happen too often, but is known to happen. The only way I can think of checking it out would be to pull the valve covers and crank the motor over. Watch the valve train and see if the rockers move. If some do towards the front and some don’t torwards the back then it broke between the lobes somewhere. If it did break, you will end up doing an upper end rebuild if not more. Weigh the difference between a rebuild or a used engine. The used may be a better way to go in the end.

Q: Im going to buy a 1998 ford explorer but it needs a new manifold gasket. can i just use heal a seal?
I dont want to spend a lot of money on the repair if i can just pour a liquid in it and fix it. will this work??

A: The instant fix it all in a can is not worth the cost of the plastic bottle they put it in.

Save some headaches and fix it correctly. It is not that hard of a job. Exact directions are available in either a Chilton’s or Haynes manual on your specific vehicle.

Q: What size v-8 motors were used in 1998 ford explores?
The explorer i am refering to is an Eddie Bauer edition, auto transmission.

A: 5.0 WHICH IS A 302

Q: I have a 1998 V6 Ford Explorer XLT and I am now getting a very bad shake at 60mph, any ideas what causes this?
The other day my SUV ran fine, I got in and was driving on a newly made parkway that is very smooth and i started feeling “shaking” that felt like the engine was “kicking” also the gas seemed to make more sound than usual to actually propel the vehicle (like there was more gas being used than actually working). Any suggestions?

A: If the shaking is coming fron the engine, typically the coil will go bad on one of the cyclinders and will need to be replaced. If it is not the engine, it could be that the alignment is off. Is there uneven wear on the front tires? Typically the the ball joints will need to be replaced.

If the check engine light is on, You can take the car to Autozone and they will place the tester on the car for free.

Good Luck!

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