What to look for when buying a gen 2 expy

[Bedrck47]

This would apply to the 05 and 06 years. Now with winter coming and roads being salted. Check the Drivers Fuel Pump Module as they are prone to corrode and leave you stranded There is plenty of information here on the forum about this issue.

 

[thebuckaman]

Just registered to say thanks for the checklist. I used it to pick up a 2004 XLT with 108k. Really in nice shape. The list was an awesome help. I do have a fuel smell when I filled it up and noticed some fuel on the front of the tank when I got it in the garage. I will need to investigate this.

 

[Captainjerky]

It was all true!

Had my 2005 Eddie Bauer a year and a half now and still going great. Did have to shell out $600 for plugs (I tried them myself but could only get 1 to budge and spark plug wells were full of gravel) but that's the last time I'll ever have to do that.
Have a very occasional clunking from the rear environmental system with the sticking bypass door, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when it's going to act up.
Overall I really like the truck. It hauls my 5500lb camper like it's not there and is doing well. Hoping the phaser chatter doesn't ever get any louder, but still makes good power and no loss of mileage so not going to worry about that yet since I don't know anybody with a truck like this that DOESN'T make the phaser noise.
Going to spring for a 3" Gibson exhaust in the next couple weeks. Merry Christmas to Brutus!

 

[Slipk0rvayne17]

Ive had my 2006 XLT for about 6 months now. and ive only had my passengers side "puddle light" go out and the clicking noise with the A/C unit but the clicking noise is coming from the FRONT A/C unit not the rear... and a little annoying a bulb is out in my instrument cluster (By the gear shifter)

 

[nbpace]

Thanks for the checklist. I am looking at a 2004 Eddie Bauer edition tomorrow. Qucik question: since its the 2v engine, does that mean that I don't need to worry about potential cam phaser issues? Thanks in advance. If I buy the truck, I'll post pics and give an update.

 

[LandOfLincoln]

3v had the cam phaser issues in certain years. 2v doesn't have that.


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[Adrian Latchman]

Three issues - minor really -
1) side mirror control stopped working - took it out and cleaned contacts working again.
2) faded door trim.
3) front driver side door rattle - haven't figured this one out yet.

 

[46L281GT]

My drivers door rattles as well. Mine is the trim where the keypad is.

 

[ltmark]

!!! Ask and LOOK for previously blown spark plugs holes!! I would pass on a gen 2! You can't reach half of then engine and being an older model, there will likely be issues! I own one, by the way. It has actualy been pretty problem free EXCEPT for the 2 blown spark plugs. However, if there are an head issues, or something that requires head removal, you'll need a 2nd mortgage on a veh that isn't worth the repair costs! JMO

 

[1955moose]

Blown out spark plug holes happen on first generations, not second. Second gen's have a problem with broken original spark plugs on removal. If the originals were replaced this isn't an issue. 2005-2007 models have cam phaser issues, but not all of them. It is pricey if they need to be replaced, ask to see if they have been. 2005-06 have a fuel pump module that mounts near the spare tire, that corrodes and fails. Easily replaced though. Other than that make sure transmission services were done, if not causes issues. I think that's about all.


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[mfdbackdraft]

Carefully look at bottom of radiator core support where it attaches to the frame mounts. My 06 is way rusty and I don't know how long it's been in WI.
Air Suspension is always tricky. Think shops keep replacing parts til it works.... I found the seals on the connections loose elasticity in the cold and leak down.

 

[JesseLamba]

I have been looking at some high mileage 2nd Gen expeditions (03 and closer to 200K miles), and this thread is really helpful. Will help me make sure that I check out the tell tell issues.

Thanks for putting all this together guys.

 

[EliteFord]

arrived back from a 3500ish mile road trip last night. seattle to sacramento to palm springs to orange county to palm springs to lake havasu to lake tahoe, and all the driving in between. Expy ran very well, no engine issues. Kept fluids at right levels, very smooth. Right before trip replaced front pads. On a leg heard clanking from right front and appears the caliper clip came off. Picked one up at autozone and popped it in. pulls dead straight on the freeway if all tires are the same pressure. 162k now. Grateful for this vehicle. have a great week.

 

[the bus]

Something I posted on F150online awhile ago to someone looking for buying advice:


Another issue, though this should be obvious, is the fading outer trim of the XLTs.

Also, some 05s may have injector issues. They may stick open or closed, resulting in engine damage. You would have to contact the dealership to see if the vehicle is affected. They extend the warranty on the injectors (and anything that might be damaged from a stuck injector) to 11 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Really !!! I had that happen .. injector failure but passed test. Burned hole in piston, resulting in a ford reman 4.6. Ugh!!

 

[Bolt snapper]

So if my understanding of all of the foregoing posts is correct, the 2004s and 2005s are the most reliable? The spitting out sparkplug issue is past and the cam phaser issue hasn't come effect? I'm super interested in picking up one of these rigs, and I can do most easy to moderate repairs, but obviously want to avoid the unjustifiably expensive issues. I would sincerely appreciate any advice that you current and past owners can give!

 

[Bolt snapper]

I meant to say: 2003s and 2004s. It sounds as if the 3v 5.4 began production, though, sometime during the 2004 model year?

 

[ExpyMo]

Hi, new here. I know this thread is old but I've found it very helpful and wanted to thank everyone who contributed.

I am on the search for an 05 (doesn't have to be, but gen 2's seem to be available in my price range, some with lower miles like I want).

One thing I did not see mentioned was how many miles are too many, if it's been maintained and not rotted to death? I'm afraid to consider 140k miles and up in my search, is that justified?

 

[Lizard]

I currently own a 2002 explorer base model(3rd gen) and have been debating whether or not to trade up to a 2nd gen expedition, I found a 03 eddie bauer 4wd with about 160k miles and was wondering what to expect and look for

 

[Bain64]

was wondering what to expect and look for

Welcome to the forum. Did you still have questions after reading the 6 pages of this thread?
P.S. I love my '03 EB

 

[Lizard]

This thread has been very helpful, I'm pretty new to buying cars, this would be the first one I've bought, the explorer was my fathers and was hoping to keep it but the problems keep mounting up due to the previous owner using whatever he could find that fit to hold the 4.0 v6 together after a rebuild and I've already replaced a quarter of the engine because of it. Was worried at first about the spark plug ejection but the v2 v3 thing solved that, I'm looking at a 03 today, hope for the best