Forum Replies Created
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I’d personally go for a lower mileage engine in general. This engine is great. I’ve owned 2 Explorer’s with the 4.0 SOHC and have had 3 Explorers at work with the same engine. One thing you absolutely have to look out for, well…mainly, listen for is the timing chain rattle. A few years ago I had an ’02 Explorer that I bought from a sketchy dealer and it died within a month of a broken timing chain. It was not well maintained by the previous owner, but I’ve had an ’04 for about 6 years now and 160k on the clock and I’m slowly starting to hear the rattle on this one as well. So I’d buy a lower mileage engine or make sure you replace the timing chain and guides before you get it in the truck and it should be reliable for many years.
I’d personally go for a lower mileage engine in general. This engine is great. I’ve owned 2 Explorer’s with the 4.0 SOHC and have had 3 Explorers at work with the same engine. One thing you absolutely have to look out for, well…mainly, listen for is the timing chain rattle. A few years ago I had an ’02 Explorer that I bought from a sketchy dealer and it died within a month of a broken timing chain. It was not well maintained by the previous owner, but I’ve had an ’04 for about 6 years now and 160k on the clock and I’m slowly starting to hear the rattle on this one as well. So I’d buy a lower mileage engine or make sure you replace the timing chain and guides before you get it in the truck and it should be reliable for many years.
Even wierder. In Missouri, commercial trucks larger than 12000lbs only have front plates..NO rear plates. I work on TV trucks and was recently there and every satellite truck there had only front plates and thought they were swiped somehow. I asked the drivers and they said….Well yea it’s Missouri law. Front only for commercial trucks.. Now thats weird..
Even wierder. In Missouri, commercial trucks larger than 12000lbs only have front plates..NO rear plates. I work on TV trucks and was recently there and every satellite truck there had only front plates and thought they were swiped somehow. I asked the drivers and they said….Well yea it’s Missouri law. Front only for commercial trucks.. Now thats weird..
I don’t think you’d have anything to worry about changing it at 78k especially on a car as new as that. I’ve gotten cars that I was unsure of the service history and did a fluid flush at 120k without issue. If you go forever without ever changing the trans fluid and then you decide to change it when its old and brown and comes out like molasses you could see a failure but 78k and healthy red is nothing to worry about in my opinion. I’d go ahead and flush away.
I don’t think you’d have anything to worry about changing it at 78k especially on a car as new as that. I’ve gotten cars that I was unsure of the service history and did a fluid flush at 120k without issue. If you go forever without ever changing the trans fluid and then you decide to change it when its old and brown and comes out like molasses you could see a failure but 78k and healthy red is nothing to worry about in my opinion. I’d go ahead and flush away.
I like to believe in this- Cautiously trust people until they give you a reason not to.
A friend of mine texted me a few days ago saying he needed a new cat-back exhaust and a sway bar on his 98 Accord. I had never been to the shop he was at and the quoted him $2700 for just the exhaust. I told him to leave the shop immediately…He took it to my local mechanic that has done plenty of work for me in the past and got everything done for $700. So- If you’re given a quote that seems unreasonable in a shop that you don’t frequently go to, even if you have to tow the car, get atleast 2 quotes and go with whomever seems more competent and has a good price and once you find a mechanic you like, keep going to him.
I also 2nd Wysetech’s comment- Everyone should have AAA (in the US). If you’re not home and need to get a tow and something fixed they can help you, no matter where you are. I do almost all of my own repairs and haven’t had a car towed in a few years but its good to have.
I like to believe in this- Cautiously trust people until they give you a reason not to.
A friend of mine texted me a few days ago saying he needed a new cat-back exhaust and a sway bar on his 98 Accord. I had never been to the shop he was at and the quoted him $2700 for just the exhaust. I told him to leave the shop immediately…He took it to my local mechanic that has done plenty of work for me in the past and got everything done for $700. So- If you’re given a quote that seems unreasonable in a shop that you don’t frequently go to, even if you have to tow the car, get atleast 2 quotes and go with whomever seems more competent and has a good price and once you find a mechanic you like, keep going to him.
I also 2nd Wysetech’s comment- Everyone should have AAA (in the US). If you’re not home and need to get a tow and something fixed they can help you, no matter where you are. I do almost all of my own repairs and haven’t had a car towed in a few years but its good to have.
Welcome to the forum Jonathan. I’m sorry to hear about your recent bad luck. Hopefully this forum helps you get your ride back to health.
Welcome to the forum Jonathan. I’m sorry to hear about your recent bad luck. Hopefully this forum helps you get your ride back to health.
I also work full time in a completely unrelated field and don’t have the time for hands on in class training, but wanted to get more knowledge to be able to work on my own cars and eventually do a restoration project. I know hands on training would be better but it wouldn’t fit my schedule so I signed up for Penn Fosters Automotive tech program and I’ve been very impressed so far. I’d definitely suggest it if you don’t have the schedule to do a hands on class. As for how shops will respect the fact that you took the class online…I’m not sure about that, but if you can do the job and do it well you can prove it for yourself. Just my 2 cents…
I also work full time in a completely unrelated field and don’t have the time for hands on in class training, but wanted to get more knowledge to be able to work on my own cars and eventually do a restoration project. I know hands on training would be better but it wouldn’t fit my schedule so I signed up for Penn Fosters Automotive tech program and I’ve been very impressed so far. I’d definitely suggest it if you don’t have the schedule to do a hands on class. As for how shops will respect the fact that you took the class online…I’m not sure about that, but if you can do the job and do it well you can prove it for yourself. Just my 2 cents…
WOW 3000mi in 2 years? I do that in a month. I’d at the very least replace it every year as oil does break down over time, but that’s just me.
WOW 3000mi in 2 years? I do that in a month. I’d at the very least replace it every year as oil does break down over time, but that’s just me.
For a home mechanic-if you’re looking to not spend a ton of money I’d go for the Earthquake 1/2 from Harbor Freight. Its a great gun and very powerful. I’ve had mine for 2 years and really beat the heck out of it and it works great. If you’re looking to be a mechanic at a shop I’d definitely go IR. If not the Earthquake is a great gun.