10 replies to this topic

[delusions of grandeur]

Well, I now might really be finding out why they refer to Explorers as Exploders. Hopefully it's just the starter, but with 150,000 miles on a '98, I'm not so sure... But that was to be expected when I bought it. What wasn't expected to happen over the last few years is a massive amount of non-engine issues:

Water leaks - even after I thought I fixed it, the car still leaks in both the front passenger side and back when it rains.

Doors - The key only works for the tailgate, and when I lock/unlock it, the front stays locked until I have to crawl in from the back all the way to the driver's side door to open it from the inside (rather humiliating after a meeting or gathering).  The passenger side door will not open at all, and I can't even get in there to fix it, since the door has to be open to remove panels.

Windshield wipers - one day the control on the steering wheel malfunctioned and wouldn't stop wiping, until I twisted it 360 degrees back to the off setting. This usually works when it goes crazy, but every now and then, it won't stop until I have to finally rip the fuse out (I have needle-nose pliers in the car just for this). There is nothing more annoying than the sound of wipers hitting a dry windshield at full speed.

There were other stupid things like the hood not completely closing for a long while (it was still secured, but would get airborn when I got on the highway), but then today I'm looking at everything, and the freaking headlight knob simply falls off, inexplicably won't come back on to the simple knob holder, and the entire apparatus somehow isn't even screwed in. It took me 10 minutes with pliers just to get the lights to turn back off, so I guess that means no night driving without it being a total pain in the ass, until I fix it.

Seriously, I've owned nothing but used cars, and some much older, and have NEVER had so many stupid issues like this.  I hope this job comes through so I can finally be done with this damn car... Anyone else had these kind of stupid issues with an Explorer or any other cars?

[matt770]

delusions of granduer, on 25 April 2012 - 03:06 PM, said:

Well, I now might really be finding out why they refer to Explorers as Exploders. Hopefully it's just the starter, but with 150,000 miles on a '98, I'm not so sure... But that was to be expected when I bought it. What wasn't expected to happen over the last few years is a massive amount of non-engine issues:

Water leaks - even after I thought I fixed it, the car still leaks in both the front passenger side and back when it rains.

Doors - The key only works for the tailgate, and when I lock/unlock it, the front stays locked until I have to crawl in from the back all the way to the driver's side door to open it from the inside (rather humiliating after a meeting or gathering).  The passenger side door will not open at all, and I can't even get in there to fix it, since the door has to be open to remove panels.

Windshield wipers - one day the control on the steering wheel malfunctioned and wouldn't stop wiping, until I twisted it 360 degrees back to the off setting. This usually works when it goes crazy, but every now and then, it won't stop until I have to finally rip the fuse out (I have needle-nose pliers in the car just for this). There is nothing more annoying than the sound of wipers hitting a dry windshield at full speed.

There were other stupid things like the hood not completely closing for a long while (it was still secured, but would get airborn when I got on the highway), but then today I'm looking at everything, and the freaking headlight knob simply falls off, inexplicably won't come back on to the simple knob holder, and the entire apparatus somehow isn't even screwed in. It took me 10 minutes with pliers just to get the lights to turn back off, so I guess that means no night driving without it being a total pain in the ass, until I fix it.

Seriously, I've owned nothing but used cars, and some much older, and have NEVER had so many stupid issues like this.  I hope this job comes through so I can finally be done with this damn car... Anyone else had these kind of stupid issues with an Explorer or any other cars?

No chronic issues like these, but my wife's last two cars were crap...4th gen Mustang convertible, I think it was a '99 or '00...nothing major, just poorly put together, rattled a lot, convertible top was flimsy and leaked, just felt like a POS overall.  Then she got a Dodge Caliber, another POS, loud, handled poorly, harsh ride.  I really didn't want her to get that car.

Come to think of it, my '89 Mustang that I bought when I was 18 was crap too.  First 4 or 5 years it was fine, then a lot of little annoying things started to go.

[Square]

Did you buy it at Home Depot?

[Chargerz]

Square, on 25 April 2012 - 04:31 PM, said:

Did you buy it at Home Depot?

[Chargerz]

I've owned 4 Explorers over the years and have never had the problems you described. I traded in my last Explorer for an Edge because it rode smoother. I've heard Ford has improved how the new Explorer rides so I may have to give it a test drive.

[keggerz]

I have a 92 Explorer with 245k on it....no leaks, locks work, wipers work...what doesn't work are the back two windows and passenger windows...the motors need to be replaced but not worth the coin to do so...oh and the AC doesn't work, leak that needs to be replaced but no thanks for that bill, and the heat, yeah that doesn't work either...the motor crapped out about 15 months ago...it isn't something I would take on a long trip, but for my 6 mile ride to work it gets the job done

[tbimm]

It is so nice to be able to repair my own car.

[buddahj]

tbimm, on 27 April 2012 - 09:42 PM, said:

It is so nice to be able to repair my own car.

+1

[Chargerz]

tbimm, on 27 April 2012 - 09:42 PM, said:

It is so nice to be able to repair my own car.

buddahj, on 29 April 2012 - 01:04 PM, said:

+1

I wish I'd learned to do car repairs a LONG time ago!!

[SEC=UGA]

I wish I'd have learned to work on vaginas.

[Ursa Majoris]

Chargerz, on 29 April 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

I wish I'd learned to do car repairs a LONG time ago!!

I dunno, if I was a poontang inspector like you I wouldn't want all that oil and grease under my fingernails.

Oh, wait........I mean the engine oil and grease.