billzilla
Member
Hi all, just picked up a 122K miles black/gold '99 Eddie Bauer Expy w/ 5.4l.
Interior plastics are decent, dash is good, carpet has been abused by unmonitored kids and is soaked/stained with a rainbow of different colored spills - down the seats, in the crevices, etc. There's bits of food in every nook and cranny. Dealer had the carpet sloppily shampooed and now it smells. I've spot cleaned a couple of places but it's just rank. I'd hate to have to replace the whole thing... Did that on a 1972 Satellite a year ago.
The VFD (vacuum flourescent) odometer gauge is off intermittantly. Gas mileage according to the info display is hovering between 12 and 14.5 unless I reset and do 20-ish miles on the freeway, at which point it's 16.5-17.
There's stuttering and hesitation throughout the RPM range except when under full throttle acceleration. Going up hills at about half throttle is the worst and it bucks pretty heavily. I'm hoping for a coil or fuel filter. Haven't read any codes - no check engine light has come on (but I wouldn't put it past the dealer to have reset or something).
A little vibration is coming from mismatched tires and one wheel is the basic steel stamped but there's locals around here on craigslist with spares so I should be able to find a replacement.
Dumped a can of Seafoam into the gas tank with about 10 gallons, planning on doing the vacuum bit and then a little into the crankcase before my imminent oil change.
Handling is a little top-heavy but I assume that's basic Expy stuff. I've been reading the swaybar threads with interest, but I can't dole out any extra cash right now (otherwise I'd have ordered a Flashpaq already).
I'm most concerned about the rough running, though. Might bring it by a mech today and read codes.
Oh, it also makes a clicking sound in the dash when I'm backing up, every time I tap the brakes. Is that some kind of feature?
bill
Interior plastics are decent, dash is good, carpet has been abused by unmonitored kids and is soaked/stained with a rainbow of different colored spills - down the seats, in the crevices, etc. There's bits of food in every nook and cranny. Dealer had the carpet sloppily shampooed and now it smells. I've spot cleaned a couple of places but it's just rank. I'd hate to have to replace the whole thing... Did that on a 1972 Satellite a year ago.
The VFD (vacuum flourescent) odometer gauge is off intermittantly. Gas mileage according to the info display is hovering between 12 and 14.5 unless I reset and do 20-ish miles on the freeway, at which point it's 16.5-17.
There's stuttering and hesitation throughout the RPM range except when under full throttle acceleration. Going up hills at about half throttle is the worst and it bucks pretty heavily. I'm hoping for a coil or fuel filter. Haven't read any codes - no check engine light has come on (but I wouldn't put it past the dealer to have reset or something).
A little vibration is coming from mismatched tires and one wheel is the basic steel stamped but there's locals around here on craigslist with spares so I should be able to find a replacement.
Dumped a can of Seafoam into the gas tank with about 10 gallons, planning on doing the vacuum bit and then a little into the crankcase before my imminent oil change.
Handling is a little top-heavy but I assume that's basic Expy stuff. I've been reading the swaybar threads with interest, but I can't dole out any extra cash right now (otherwise I'd have ordered a Flashpaq already).
I'm most concerned about the rough running, though. Might bring it by a mech today and read codes.
Oh, it also makes a clicking sound in the dash when I'm backing up, every time I tap the brakes. Is that some kind of feature?
bill
