1998 Ford Explorer: engine overheating

Filed Jul 20, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 103,000 miles · TX

Since purchasing a used 1998 ford explorer I have been blessed with nothing but problems with it. 6 months after purchasing the vehicle my wheel bearings went out and damaged the spindle. This was a $500 expense as the spindle was a dealer part. When I purchased it there were 26000 miles on it...there were about 36000 when the bearings went out...just as the warranty expired. Then, about a year later, the upper air intake manifold got a hole burned in it. Again, ford couldn't offer me any kind of help and said it was a $800-1000 repair. On a side note, this type of problem was a known issue by ford. In fact, recalls were made by ford to replace the intakes free of charge to fleets but not to the general public. Just recently my freeze plugs rusted through and caused my car to overheat. This has been quoted by ford as a $1300 repair. I called ford to see about some sort of goodwill warranty and of course anything with goodwill in the equation is definitely something ford will not do. I currently have 2 years left on the loan for a piece of crap car that isn't even worth half of what I still owe on it. I am really thinking of taking it back to the dealer and parking right in front of the entry way and taking the keys with me and telling them to stick it up their rears. Ford makes the whole car industry look really bad and in no way would I ever buy another ford. Please help us consumers out and make the game fair between the auto industry and consumers...we are getting ripped off left and right while they keep getting richer and richer.

Filed Aug 8, 2003 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NJ

2nd time this happened...tensioner pulley failed (broke off) while driving on the highway. Serpentine belt came off, car overheated/engine failure/etc. First time was ay 40,000 miles. This time, at 102,000 miles. Towed to a texaco station in aberdeen, md. Service manager says tensioner pulley failure common in explorers. Had to replace pulley/belt. Once I returned home to nj, I started to notice minor dripping of radiator fluid. 2 weeks later, it all gushed out, causing me to also replace my radiator. To know this has now happened twice, caused secondary damage both times, and that you get left stranded on a highway each time is very concerning.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Fuel system · IL

The federal safety agency recall 98-v-060-000:vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. Engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line, resulting in damage to the fuel line. Consumer has the same problem. However this vehicle was not recallede due to the VIN.

Filed Dec 5, 2002 · TX

Radio display went out investigations on web have proven this is a wide spread problem on 98-00 explorers. A circuit board in the radio overheats causing it to melt the power supply board in the radio. Who knows this could cause a fire at the worst, and cause the loss of all radio display at the minimum. Since this is such a widespread issue I feel there should be a recall on the radio. Dt

Filed Jun 14, 2002 · TX

Consumer stated the check engine light illuminated on several occassions, the first time the vehicle overheated and the dealer replaced the thermostat, when it happened again the dealer cleaned the injectors.

Filed Feb 26, 2002 · Engine · NV

Without warning engine is overheating and caused vehicle to stall twice.*ak

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Transmission · OH · fire

The vehicle the consumer was towing caught fire, it appeared that the drivetrain/transmission possibly overheated on the towed vehicle damaging the engine compartment (all wheel drive - ohio traffic crash report). Nlm

Filed Jan 22, 2001 · Electrical · VA

The ignition coils were overheating and melting causing the vehicle to backfire and run rough. Father is writing in for daughter and is requesting assistance.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Engine · NH

Head gasket failure: truck overheated at highway speed. Diagnosed as blown head gasket.

Filed Jul 19, 2000 · Tires · FL

I returned to firestone store and complained about a defective tire when it appeared that the tire was out of round. They claimed that there was nothing wrong with the tires. I recently on two occasions, took SUV to have alignment checked. Was told that alignment was withing specs, that the firestone tires were defective and caussed what they called "radial drift". This causes the car to pull to one side or the other. This in turn would cause overheating and in my opinion cause tread separation at highway speeds.*ak( dot number: 027477 tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Jan 18, 2000 · Brakes · CA

Rotors warped due to overheating causing pulsating while applying the brakes.

Filed Nov 2, 1998 · Brakes, Engine · AZ

Going down a steep hill at a very low speed about 5 MPH ,the idling speed will overcome the compressor in engine. Totally dependent on brakes, causes the brakes to overheat and results in brakes fading. Dangerous sitution.