98 expedition noobie maintenance questions...

[dr. dog]

I have an 98 expedition 4x4 4.6L with 125+ miles on it... I bought it in 02 with less than 25k on it from an old couple and its never spent a day in the shop... Great truck!! I have only done the regular maintenance, ie. change oil/filter, tires, air filter, brakes etc... I am just now starting to have some, lets call them "issues", tranny shifting hard and shuttering, engine clatter, degraded fuel economy, etc...

My 1st question is, what would you guys recommend maintenance wise be done at this point... I've read thru alot of threads on this site most of it sounding like greek to me as my mechanical knowledge is not as in-depth as I guess it should be...

Secondly, any suggestions on the current "issues" I am experiencing, tranny issues, engine clatter?? Could the engine clatter mean I need a new muffler or cat converter??

Any input is greatly appreciated...

 

[huklebuk]

Try changing the plugs. Believe it or not, a misfiring plug can make it seem like your tranny is going bad. Had this happen on a tbird and a bronco, once I put in new plugs and wires, it felt much better.

 

[lakmflx]

Careful about the greek thing ( see avatar) just joking.


Many factors come into play here. When was the last time you had service done on the truck and what was done to it?

Are you experiencing hesitation? bad idle?

As for the tranny i would have it checked out by a local tranny shop or bring it in for a "tranny tune up"

I dont know the history of your truck but lets say that if i bought it from you first thing i would do (on all used vehicles i buy) is a FULL tune-up. Change oil, tranny fluid, differential fluid,oil filter, spark plugs, O2 sensors, clean MAF, clean throttle body etc.. By doing this it would eliminate alot of the "common problem areas" that most people dont know about, that's what this forum is all about and go from there.

My .02

 

[pronstar]

I agree with the above, and would add fuel filter to the list as well.

For the 02 sensors, the upstream ones are the only ones you need to change. These are the ones before the cats, closest to the exhaust manifold.

 

[dr. dog]

I appreciate all the feedback... After the increasing tranny hard/clunky shifting and shuttering I did have the tranny serviced... They dropped the pan and showed me the metal shaving buildup on the pan magnet and stated it was excessive... The guy proceeded to pressure me pretty hard to have the tranny worked on but wanted $400 just to start... I wanted to get a second opinion but haven't yet...

As for the engine clatter, there's no hesitation or bad idle, it just seems to be clattering like a diesel when I partially accelerate or am cruising then slightly accelerate... Seems to happen after the engine has warmed up... Could this be caused by a bad muffler or cat converter???

How would I go about changing the 02 sensors... are they fairly easy to access and change??

How about the MAF?? Where is it and what do I clean it with??

Same for the throttle body??

I know, I know, I'm retarded... I haven't really worked on my own car since my 69 Firebird... \m/ (my "rock-on" hand)...

What plugs would you guys recommend??

Thanks again...

 

[lakmflx]

Your MAF is on the stock rubber intake, unplug it from the intake and clean it using MAF cleaner that you can buy at any auto parts store.

To clean your throttle body, disconnect your intake and set it to the side. You will want to open the "butterfly" thats inside the throttle body as your spraying the daylights out of it. It's your choice is you want to completely remove the throttle body. (I do this myself so that i make sure i get all of the gunk out of it.)

Oh yeah you can also pick up a can of throttle body cleaner at the parts store.

 

[pronstar]

Best bet is to get a service manual. Best $20 you'll spend. I still refer to mine.

All that stuff is fairly easy, just a little patience and direction is all that you need. If you set aside an afternoon you can get it all done.

O2 sensors are easy, you just have to take your time. I do mine from underneath the truck, on my back.

Bad cat/muffler own't cause a ping like you note. Could be EGR related, I'd definitely clean the ports on your throttle body.

Here's a great how-to:
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/throttlebodyclean.php

 

[dr. dog]

Thanks gents...

I was reading a little about EGR issues since you mentioned it Pronstar and that sounds like maybe what is causing the engine knocking/pinging... Is there just an EGR valve or something I should replace...

I noticed a few folks are from the Houston TX area in this forum... Any of you recommend a reputable and honest mechanic in the Houston area???

What service manual should I get and does it break down "how-to's"??? Chiltons??

Thanks again...

 

[pronstar]

EGR and related DPFE typically throw a code. But these are simple parts that are pretty reliable.

Given your mileage, ports could be gummed-up.

I use a Chilton's manual for my Expy, not the best but it was cheap and isn't really as bad as some folks think.

The manual will give you easy tests to see if the EGR components are working correctly.

The best IMHO are Bentley manuals but they are very pricey.

 

[huklebuk]

I always have had a Haynes manual for all my vehicles, and have never had a problem reading or understanding them. Plus they have great pictures, which I find extremely useful when I'm working on something. They write their manuals based on a complete tear down and rebuild (so they state). Forgot about the fuel filter, thats always a good thing to replace on a high mileage vehicle. Do a full tune and you should notice a diffence right away.

 

[pronstar]

Any manual is better than no manual, that's for sure.

 

[AvroAero]

97-98 were recaled for tranny problems. Something about water getting into the fluid causing hard or no shifting out of second. Check with your dealer for what recalls haven't been done.

That and plugs.

 

[newtofords]

This is a great thread! My truck now has roughly 135,000 miles and I was wondering what I could do to ensure that it lasts a long time...it looks like I learned today!

 

[green03]

You could also have a dirty injector or two that could be running some of the cylinders lean causing it to ping. a good tuneup addition would be a pressurized injector cleaning service from the local jiffy lube. on the shavings in the pan.... I call BS on that shop. you will be surprised at what the normal wear generates on the magnent, especially if the fluid hasn't been changed in a while. if it is shifting too hard you don't have a wear issue in the trans... slipping is a different story.... you probably just have a sticking valve or broken accumulator spring... both minor issues, both can be fixed with the trans still in the truck. also if you are having to give more pedal to go the same speed the trans will shift harder than normal.
Matt R