1991 FORD EXPLORER Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A DRIVEWAY INCLINE, THE ENGINE IDLED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND MASSIVE FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HANDS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE GAS STATION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FUEL IN IT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING THE GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE LOST ITS FRONT WHEEL. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT NO LUGS; BOLTS WERE PUT BACK ON THE FRONT WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING ENGINE WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHY WOULD THEY TAKE THE WHEELS OFF TO SERVICE THE ENGINE, AND THEN NOT PUT THE BOLTS BACK ON. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. *SC *JB

Mileage: 74,096

I HAVE A 1991 FORD EXPLORER AND AT 91026.8 MILES IT BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS . I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS TRUCK IS BAD FOR DOING THIS . IT HAS A 4.0 - V6I DON'T KNOW WHY FORD IS NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS . *NLM

Mileage: 91,250

TRUCK LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AND MANIFOLD GASKET. *NLM

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE CONSUMER WAS PAYING A TOLL AT THE TOLL BOOTH, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TOLL BOOTH AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE AREA/RUNNING GEAR/WHEEL AREA.*JG (FIRE INCIDENT REPORT)

WHILE CONSUMER'S DAUGTHER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THEN, DRIVER RESTARTED ENGINE WHEN SHE SAW FIRE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. JUMPED OUT, AND VEHICLE BURNED DOWN. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE FIRE HAD STARTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

I HAVE QUESTIONS TO WHY THERE ARE THESE FAILURES IN THESE 4 IMPORTANT AREAS OF MY VEHICLE, AND WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS! THANK YOU, I. E. STOWELL. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: LT1018-D5 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

I HAVE QUESTIONS TO WHY THERE ARE THESE FAILURES IN THESE 4 IMPORTANT AREAS OF MY VEHICLE, AND WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS! THANK YOU, I. E. STOWELL. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: LT1018-D5 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK.*JB

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK.*JB

BLACK GOO OOZES OUT FROM AROUND THE LACING OF STEERING WHEEL. CONSTANTLY HAVE THE WIPE WHEEL & HANDS. DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AND WENT BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. I ONLY WEIGHT 185 LBS. SO WEIGHT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. THERE HAD BEEN NO REAR-END COLLISION EITHER. FRONT WHEEL HUBS FAILED DUE TO ENGINEERING DEFECT. DEALER TRIED TO MAKE ME PAY THE FIRST $55. I REFUSED AND WON. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS A SHAFT THAT SNAPPED. VALVE GASKETS ARE INFERIOR MATERIAL. HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED, BUT STILL LEAK.*AK

THE FAULTY ALUMINIUM HEADS CRACKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN THE NUMBER ONE PISTON MELTING AND DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDERS. *YH

THE THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. NLM

KNOCKS WHEN PRESS BRAKES, NO HEAT. *AK

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SOME ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE WAS REPLACED ON 8-5-98, ON 1-7-99 MORE ENGINE PROBLEMS CAME ABOUT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD BROKEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FLYWHEEL HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ON THE LAST TIME THE FLYWHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR CHEWS UP THE DIPSTICK AND THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *SLC

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SOME ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE WAS REPLACED ON 8-5-98, ON 1-7-99 MORE ENGINE PROBLEMS CAME ABOUT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD BROKEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FLYWHEEL HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ON THE LAST TIME THE FLYWHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR CHEWS UP THE DIPSTICK AND THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON/OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS MASS AIR FLOW WAS CAUSING A SHORT IN ENGINE LIGHT. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *AK

FAN THAT COOLS ENGINE IS MADE OF NYLON, IF IT FAILS IT COULD COME THROUGH FAN BLADES AND THROUGH RADIATOR. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK FAILURE OF NYLON FAN COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO RADIATOR, HOSES AND THE HOOD. *YH

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL AND BRAKES TO LOCK UP, THE VEHICLE HIT A HILL AND ROLLED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL AND BRAKES TO LOCK UP, THE VEHICLE HIT A HILL AND ROLLED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. MAF SENSOR FAILED. THROTTLE BODY AND GASKET FAILED. RADIATOR IS LEAKING. THERMOSTAT FAILED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. MAF SENSOR FAILED. THROTTLE BODY AND GASKET FAILED. RADIATOR IS LEAKING. THERMOSTAT FAILED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. MAF SENSOR FAILED. THROTTLE BODY AND GASKET FAILED. RADIATOR IS LEAKING. THERMOSTAT FAILED. *YH

ENGINE FAILED. *SLC

ENGINE FAILED. *SLC

1991 FORD EXPLORER COOLING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO COOL THE 4.0L V-6 ENGINE ADAPTED FROM THE FORD F100 SERIES TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE COOKS THERMOSTATS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS OR 30000 MILES. A AM A MARINE AND WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS FOR 6 MONTHS, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING SIGNIFICANTLY. SHE REPORTED THIS TO SANDERS FORD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE TEMP GAUGE HAD NEVER MOVED BEFORE BUT THEY INSISTED THAT IT NORMALLY FLUCTUATES. ABOUT 2 WKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOOSING COOLANT CONSTANTLY. SHE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO SANDER FORD, IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND AFTER FORFEITING $1478.32 AND 2 DAYS LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, HER SUSPICION WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD WARPED. THIS COMMON PROBLEM TO THE EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORERS HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. MORE ALARMING IS THE PROPENSITY OF FORD DEALERSHIPS TO BE DISHONEST AND MONOPOLIZING IN OVERPRICING PARTS AND SERVICE. WE HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN CA, VA, NC, AND HI. FORD MOTOR CO APPEARS UNABLE TO CONTROL QUALITY OF SERVICE IN ITS FRANCHISE DEALERSHIPS.*AK

ENGINE FIRE. MJS

THERMOSTAT STUCK, ENGINE BLEW UP DUE TO OVERHEATING AND CRACKED HEAD GASKET. MJS

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE, ON TWO OCCASIONS. NLM

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE MISSING WHEN GOING UP HILLS AND ALSO ROUGH IDLE AT START UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NAPA, A AAA APPROVED SHOP, WITH ASE MECHANICS. THERE WAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET WHICH ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE TO GET IN THE NUMBER 3 CYCLINDER AND PLUG. WHEN THEY TOOK THE HEAD OFF TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T CRACKED THEY FOUND THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLIES AND PUSH RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PUSH ROD ENDS WERE WORN TO THE SHAPE OF FOOTBALLS AND HAD WORN INDENTATIONS IN THE ASSEMBLIES. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER USED OIL. I CHANGE THE OIL/FILTER EVERY 3 MONTHS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN LOW ON OIL OR OVERHEATED. THE SHOP OWNER AND THE MECHANIC BOTH SAID THEY THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND I SHOULD REPORT IT. PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM CHICAGO BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY IN WA OR OR. THE REASON THEY WERE GIVEN WAS THAT THESE PARTS COULDN'T BE KEPT IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR THEM. I BABY MY VEHICLES AND REQUIRED SERVICE WORK IS DONE ON TIME. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ONE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS COST ME $1,493.41 TO REPAIR SOMETHING WHICH I DON'T THINK SHOULD HAVE GONE WRONG. IN THIS CASE AN ACCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN BUT COULD HAVE IF THE RODS HAD GONE THROUGH THE HEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER STEAM AND SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN 2 MINUTES IT CAUGHT FIRE. WE WERE UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. FORD WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A REASON.

THERE IS A VIBRATION THAT OCCURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65MPH AND 70MPH. VIBRATION WAS PRESENT WITH OLD TIRES AND DID NOT GO AWAY WITH A NEW SET ON RIMS AND TIRES. ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FAN CLUTCH FROZE, CAUSING THE FAN ITSELF TO DEVELOP STRESS CRACKS. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UNITS. *AK

A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH BLEW SMOKE INTO THE CAB. THE DEALER SAID TREE LEAVES HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE AIR INTAKE DUCTS AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE DUCT, WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE TO BE SUCKED INTO THE CAB. IN THE NOVEMBER 2, 1998 ISSUE OF AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, ON PAGE 15, THERE IS A REPORT OF A NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON 1992-1994 EXPLORERS FOR THIS VERY REASON! THE REPORT STATES THAT 14 COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. MAKE THAT 15. MINE IS A 1991, HOWEVER. THE FIRE CAUSED ABOUT $300 IN DAMAGE TO THE DUCT SYSTEM. *MJS

VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO ENGINE MOUNTS AND LACK OF INSTALLATION OF THE REAR AXLE LATERAL SHOCK ABSORBER.

THREE LARGE CRACKS IN FLYWHEEL CAUSED BINDING NOISE. (QCAW)

REAR CRANKSHAFT MAIN SEAL FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: ALUMINUM HEAD CRACKED BLOCK WHICH FORCED ANTI-FREEZE TO GET SUCKED INTO ENGINE. TOOK IN FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT AND THEY SAID THEY THE GET THEM ALL THE TIME. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN DRIVEWAY. MOTOR WAS NOT ON. DEALER IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION. *AK

RADIATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO POOR DESIGN, CAUSING CRACKING/LEAKING.

VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED TWICE.

CRANK SEAL LEAK.

FAN BLADE CRACKED.

THE ENGINE FAN HAS SOME CRACKS . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

RADIATOR FAN HUB CRACKED TWICE. *DH

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD

THE ENGINE FAN IS FRACTURED ALL THE WAY AROUND AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO SOME ONE WORKING ON THE TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE*AK

ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED FIVE SECONDS LATER TEMPERATURE CHANGED, BLACK SMOKE ENTERED INTO INTERIOR, RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK

THE FAN OF THE COULING SYSTEM CRACKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, THE OWNER THINKS THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAR WAS PARKED THE FIRE START FOR NO REASON. *AK

THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, THE OWNER THINKS THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAR WAS PARKED THE FIRE START FOR NO REASON. *AK

AT 55MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS.MFR IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS AND HAS RECIEVED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. TT ACCORDING TO LOCAL DEALER, AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THE MOTOR MOUNTS THAT MUST BE REENGINEERED WERE TO HAVE BEEN IN THE SUMMER OF 95 THENWAS TOLD FALL OF 95 NOW CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE UNTIL SPRING OF 1996.*JB

VEHICLE FIRE. TT

VEHICLE FIRE. TT

THE 3RD AND 4TH HEADS ARE CRACKED ON THE ENGINE AND CRACKED AT 55,000 MILES. PLEASE EDESCRIBE. TT

WAS REPLACING A FAN BELT AND NOTICED FAN WAS MADE OF WHITE PLASTIC WITH SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. TT

ENGINE COOLING FAN DESIGNED WITH PLASTIC, CAUSING FAN TO CRACK. *AW

HAS A CRACKED HEAD IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. TT

TRUCK VIBRATES AT 65 MPH DUE TO RUBBER ISOLATORS IN THE ENGINE MOUNT SHRINKING SLIGHTLY, ALLOWING SMALL AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT IN FRAME RAILS. *AK

RADIATOR/COOLING FAN FAILURE. *AK

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE. *AK

ENGINE HEADS DEVELOPED CRACKS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO OIL SYSTEM. *SKD

CRACKED COOLING FAN REPLACED.

VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED DUE TO NOT BEING DESIGNED WITH WASHER TO PREVENT LEAKAGE. *AW

CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED BETWEEN VALVES FOUR TIMES, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURES. *SKD