What to look for when buying a gen3 expy

[rollinstone]

Test drove a well known truck dealer's 2011 Limited with just under 26,000...HD tow package. Some cosmetics, but overall very clean...including dipstick. However, the left side valve cover, the alternator, and a barely visible component (water pump?) just on the front right of the engine is covered with what appears to be heavy surface corrosion. The sales guy offered that it might be blow back from a leaky battery (you could see moderate deposits on the + terminal). I replied don't think so because all the tubes and lines on the left side would be covered with blow back as well...and they're quite clean (unless they were all replaced). Their inspection policy is my mechanic either has to come to them, or I buy the truck and then take it to my mechanic...yeah, right! I looked hard and the only drawback is that nasty looking engine. I own a '97 Explorer with an immaculate engine... Is this something that shows up on low mileage Expy's?

 

[ExpyD]

I just bought a CPO/1 owner 2011 EL Limited (50k miles) that also has light, almost chalky surface corrosion on many of the aluminum engine components... Valve covers, alternator housing, etc. Both the Ford dealer where I purchased it and my long term independent mechanic told me this is relatively common to see. The first owner lived in the suburbs of Washington DC so exposure to winter road treatments, etc. may have contributed... But probably not as bad as what the rest of its life in Pennsylvania will bring!

 

[rollinstone]

Thanks, ExpyD...

 

[k9education]

I just bought a CPO/1 owner 2011 EL Limited (50k miles) that also has light, almost chalky surface corrosion on many of the aluminum engine components... Valve covers, alternator housing, etc. Both the Ford dealer where I purchased it and my long term independent mechanic told me this is relatively common to see. The first owner lived in the suburbs of Washington DC so exposure to winter road treatments, etc. may have contributed... But probably not as bad as what the rest of its life in Pennsylvania will bring!

PA is indeed brutal on cars. When I took my Mountaineer in for a pre-purchase inspection by my mechanic (back in 2006), the first thing he said after looking at the undercarriage was: "This vehicle didn't come from PA." He was right; a PA dealer purchased it at a NY auction. Now I'm on the hunt for a 2009-2012 Expedition EL and wondering if I should avoid vehicles that spent their lives in PA. Even the NJ vehicles seem to have suffered less salt abuse. Ironically, they don't salt the roads enough in our little corner of PA.

 

[k9education]

The only non-maintenance/wear issue that the dealer found during the CPO process involved the climate control module for the seats, which needed to be replaced. Vehicle has 79K and is an '11 EL.

 

[WCoverdale]

I had to replace my radiator hoses after purchasing mine, they got torn while on the highway

 

[k9education]

Another issue we found on the 3rd gens that I forgot to mention are the power running boards. At least one was non-functional on 1/4 of the vehicles we looked at. I was reminded of it because the '11 EL I purchased in May needed the passenger side running board assembly replaced. It's a $2,000 part just for one side! Luckily it was covered by Ford as I noticed it the day I took delivery (it worked intermittently at first and then ultimately failed altogether a month later).

 

[FloridaGuy]

wow lots of good into in this thread, I' going to look at an 07 Eddie Bauer this week 93K Miles, 4X4, 5.4L $13K, any other issues I should look for?

 

[Gamecock]

wow lots of good into in this thread, I' going to look at an 07 Eddie Bauer this week 93K Miles, 4X4, 5.4L $13K, any other issues I should look for?

This is what I have (EL). I bought it off my parents. Only issue I've had is the middle seat on the 2nd row bench won't lock in the upright position after I put it down one day.

From when my parent's bought I know they had the plugs changed, new battery, and new brake booster. Fairly routine stuff.

 

[Dreamin]

At 73,000mi on our 2010 XLT with 3:30 gearing and 20mpg.

So far I have the following:

1. Paint peeling on tailgate
2. Drivers front window stopped working (had to have components replaced under extended warranty)
3. Passenger side Exhaust manifold leak. (Repaired under extended warranty, same issue I had with our 2000 F150)

I also had the hesitation issue and brought it to two dealers. Both said everything was fine. Mentioned it to one of our Anesthesiologists who drives a Porches and Audio and he smiled at me and said "turn off the traction control, then try it."

Put it in AWD, turned off traction control, and the Exoy took off like a rocket! Traction control is doing it's job keeping the truck from spinning the tires, that is why it hesitates.

 

[ChuckG]

Plugs and coil packs?

Hey guys we have an 07 limited. She is starting to eat us alive in repairs.

Did the crazy expensive cam phaser repair last year. Starter a month ago. Now another plug and coil pack.

Car has 138k how often are plugs fouling for members out there with third gens.

Thanks
Chuck

 

[JollyRoger]

Changed plugs once on my '07 at 100K, ran great for another 25K until my wife totaled it. Have a '10 now and just changed them at 105K and they looked good. I've not had any plug fouling issues with either truck.

 

[Franklie]

'07 fuel pump went out..

Ouch...Had local shop replace fuel pump. $820. At his mercy..won't start.
The components are starting to go out one by one at 122 K miles..sux

After new plug 110 K '07 motor has been awesome . I'm looking to replace.

 

[k9education]

Ouch...Had local shop replace fuel pump. $820. At his mercy..won't start.
The components are starting to go out one by one at 122 K miles..sux

After new plug 110 K '07 motor has been awesome . I'm looking to replace.

Only 122K miles and it's already become a money pit? You're the second '07 owner to post about that in the last week. :/

 

[nbpace]

Hey everyone, thanks for the thread. Going to look at an 08 EB edition and it seems like the main issues are the rear tailgate paint and a hesitation with the engine. Quick question on the engine issue, is it the 5.4, the 4.6, or both? Thanks.

 

[EightIsEnough]

2010 Eddie Bauer with 80,000 miles. Bought in February 2015 with 62,000 miles. I have had a blend door actuator go bad...the worst one in the center that requires removal of the dash. I had the transmission software updated. I had an A/C repair.

All of this was covered under a CPO.

The paint on the tailgate is bubbled, but it will probably be left.

Sent from my LG-ls990 using Tapatalk

 

[PJW73nh]

Got an offer to buy a 2012 LTD with 128k miles. One owner, runs great. Gave it a real good physical/visual inspection. Carfax shows all services done locally, and at recommended intervals.

What else do I need to look for?

I am a current owner of a 2008 Explorer ltd. 108k. Runs great, currently no issues. I am very familiar with Ford drive trains.

Ran into the spark plug issue at 75k. Was able to change them out without incident. Also, exh manifold bolt issue.

what are if any issues with the Expy? What else do I need to look for ? Thanks..

 

[irnmn]

I just bought a 2014 Limited with 22K miles. What do I need to watch for? Does this 5.4L motor have the same issue as the F150's? Cam phasers and spark plugs breaking off??

 

[losttime1]

'11 EL Limited. At just over 100K miles had a fair amount of hesitation on the highway and going up bride grades, etc. Wound up being a worn cam and rocker arm assembly. Runs o.k. now. Also replaced plugs and coils. The running boards are slowing down and I have the same paint bubbling issues on the tailgate and hood.
I now have what I think is a driveline imbalance issue with vibration at about 70MPH. Still like the truck.

 

[cellman]

I just bought a 2014 Limited with 22K miles. What do I need to watch for? Does this 5.4L motor have the same issue as the F150's? Cam phasers and spark plugs breaking off??

No, your motor has a different type of plug, they are more of the "normal" type. The plug is a MOTORCRAFT SP509, a quick google will show you they are nothing exotic, except in price. I just changed mine in my 2010 and it was pretty painless. I haven't heard many if any Cam Phaser issues with the newer type heads/plugs. For the 2008 Model Year+ they redesigned the heads a bit and changed the oil pump design. My 2010 5.4L is at 139,000 miles and purrs like a kitten, no knocks or Diesel sounds. Keep your oil changes regular, use motorcraft filters and oil and you should be OK. More times than not the Cam Phaser issues are from poor or lack of proper maintenance on these motors.