We have a 1992 Ford Explorer.
It has a V-6 in it if that matters, but here is my question.
Since we got it, if we towed anything, even a little trailor, it would surge from cool to hot and die. At one point, when stopped after doing this, the antifreeze was just blowing every wich way out of the overflow tank.
My husband thinks that the heads are warped because of it getting so hot, but he is being second guessed by his brother saying that the Explorer is worthless and he is offering to take it off of our hands.
I do not trust my brother in law any further than I can toss him when it comes to cars as he is always out to make a profit...
What could be wrong with the Explorer to be causing this and is it reletively cheap to fix?
**As of the last time it was run a couple weeks ago, the exhaust was burning water and letting it out through the tail pipe. There are no "leaks" anywhere in the hoses...
Please help.
2007-04-15 05:40:14 · 7 answers · asked by Star 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No water in the oil, but along with the water out the tailpipe, it smells very sweet like antifreeze. (the exhaust does)
2007-04-15 05:54:39 · update #1
I really love this Explorer. The body is in mint condition (no rust anywhere), it drives smooth (or did when we were driving it) and my husband still feels like he has a "truck" and be able to haul our girls and the dogs at the same time...ha ha.
2007-04-15 05:57:46 · update #2
look for water in the oil. it will look milky meaning head gasket or cracked head. if so talk to a shop keep your brother in law away
2007-04-15 05:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For getting hot, make sure the thermostat isnt sticking and the radiator is full. As for water coming out the tailpipe this is normal for a good running engine as it warms up. Now if your engine is burning coolant and the radiator goes low on coolant, then the temp guage will go hot. This is a bad head gasket. Explorers are very good vehicles, I have a 98 and it has been perfect for as long as I have owned it. Also check your oil and see if there is water in there, if there is it could be a bad head gasket or cracked block. No water in there then it could be the head gasket. Check it out, and tell your brother in law to get a job and shut up!
2007-04-15 05:48:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That motor, 4.0, is famous for bad headgaskets. It needs headgaskets! If it has been run hot alot, it probly needs new heads (warped). Its a good days work for a shade tree mech. Parts would be around $75 dollars + a set of used or reconditioned heads (expensive). To have it all done at a shop, my guess is you'd be pushing $1000. I've had 3-4 explorers, and besides the terrible automatic transmissions and there overheating probs, they are decent SUV's Hope this helps
2007-04-15 05:49:51 · answer #3 · answered by stealth.92base 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1of 2 things basically. you have a leaking head gasket and the pressure is being pushed back into your system or you have bad circulation problems(bad thermostat,water pump or radiator getting clogged. I would flush the system first if no change I would put some stop leak in the radiator and then sell it to the brother in law unless you like it and want to put in new head gaskets and have the heads checked and shaved.
2007-04-15 05:52:46 · answer #4 · answered by Andy S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
too many questions at once.
let see.....
it does not get hot ,when is not towing,? is not the engine, is the radiator fan.
check this out.....
spark plug have the right number stamped in it,for that vehicle.( there is hot and cool spark plugs)
the water's pump inlet hose is not sucking it self(collapsed)when the engine is running.
the thermostat is opening at 180 degrees.
and the last, but not the less,is the radiator cap in good conditions?
2007-04-15 05:45:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ford Exploders (explorers) aren't very good choices for used vehicles.
Pull both heads and replace the gaskets, water pump, radiator.
2007-04-15 05:46:53 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
purchase yet another battery. That clacking noise is your starter attempting to tutor, however the battery cant furnish the amps to start up it anymore. whilst setting up the hot battery, confirm there is not any corrosion between the posts and the cables. that should be your cost ticket. (I even have had batteries attempt one hundred% solid, yet nonetheless no longer have the amperage output to start up a vehicle)
2016-12-29 13:20:18 · answer #7 · answered by finto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋