Question:

There is a TSB on the 98’s for this problem. It was applied to mine and stopped the vibration. Involves a brace and new PS pump hose. My dealer was very cooperative about it once I involved the service manager. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have just bought a 99 sport and it seems that there is a vibration around 700 >RPM. Whether the car is in Drive or Neutral. Should I bring this thing back to >the dealer? Anybody have experience with this problem? It is making me >nervous….

Response:

iI have an 1999 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC which has a similar problem.  The vibration I get is at idle and comes and goes.  The vibration is more of a rumble than anything else, and makes you want to put in ear plugs.  I contacted the dealer, who said that there was no vibration and that everything was normal.  Every other problem had the same response from the dealer also. Mark

Response:

I have had the problem for for some time with my 97 SOHC.  I heard about the fix with the power steering hose, a u-bolt and some sort of clamp. I know the shop foreman at my dealer and we looked for a TSB.  We found it dated January 1999. He was not even aware of it it’s that new.  So if your dealer says it’s normal, that’s Bull!  Make them look.  I get my truck back tomorrow, and I’ll let you know if the vibration went away. Good luck.  Paul. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have just bought a 99 sport and it seems that there is a vibration around 700 > RPM. Whether the car is in Drive or Neutral. Should I bring this thing back to > the dealer? Anybody have experience with this problem? It is making me > nervous….

Response:

It will go away. Had the repairs performed as per the TSB about two weeks ago on my 97 SOHC 4.0 Sport, and the vibration is indeed gone. Cost? $0.00. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have had the problem for for some time with my 97 SOHC.  I heard about >the fix with the power steering hose, a u-bolt and some sort of clamp. >I know the shop foreman at my dealer and we looked for a TSB.  We found >it dated January 1999. He was not even aware of it it’s that new.  So if >your dealer says it’s normal, that’s Bull!  Make them look.  I get my >truck back tomorrow, and I’ll let you know if the vibration went away. >Good luck.  Paul. > I have just bought a 99 sport and it seems that there is a vibration around 700 > RPM. Whether the car is in Drive or Neutral. Should I bring this thing back to > the dealer? Anybody have experience with this problem? It is making me > nervous….

Response:

Question:

87 octane works fine in my 96 limited. Steve Full Bounty Brewing Co. Orcutt, CA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi,  My 1998 XLT v6 was running a little rough with 87 octane. I believe >that’s what the manual states to put into the it.  I decided to put in 93 >octane and it seems to be running a better.  Has anybody experienced this or >is 93 a waste of money with this engine? >Thanks!

Response:

> I asked the dealer about running a higher > octane gas in the truck and he said that > it could damage the engine!

I have a 1999 Explorer Sport and that’s what the owner’s manual says too…use 87 octance, a higher octane could damage the engine.

Response:

Honestly Now???? Can running a higher octane really damage the engine??? That sounds pretty extreme to me……

Response:

I guess under certaim scenario it can damage the engine. I thing it has something to do with valve and ignition timing – lower octane fuel needs earlier spark to burn cleanly and just in time to push piston down, while when the same timing would be used for higher grade fuel, the explosion and clean burn will occure ealrier than needed thus pushing against a piston still before top position and eventually might result in crankshaft bearings or connecting rod damage. Hope this answers the question. Milos – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Honestly Now???? Can running a higher octane really damage the engine??? That >sounds pretty extreme to me……

Response:

I believe that in the past someone also posted that some sort of deposit buildup can occur with the timing for higher octane fuels being off. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I guess under certaim scenario it can damage the engine. I thing it has > something to do with valve and ignition timing – lower octane fuel needs > earlier spark to burn cleanly and just in time to push piston down, while > when the same timing would be used for higher grade fuel, the explosion and > clean burn will occure ealrier than needed thus pushing against a piston > still before top position and eventually might result in crankshaft bearings > or connecting rod damage. Hope this answers the question. > Milos >Honestly Now???? Can running a higher octane really damage the engine??? > That >sounds pretty extreme to me……

Response:

actually, higher octane fuel burns SLOWER, so the piston is usually on the downstroke before maximum expansion is achieved.  use what the manual says…different octane can affect performance!

Response:

I have always used 87, with no problems. Maybe you just got a batch of bad gas.  Try a few tanks in a row of 87 from a reputable, high volume station. IF you still have problems take it to the dealer, I imagine it is still under warranty — Mike Moore Limerick Brew Works Rocky River, Ohio USA

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi,  My 1998 XLT v6 was running a little rough with 87 octane. I believe >that’s what the manual states to put into the it.  I decided to put in 93 >octane and it seems to be running a better.  Has anybody experienced this or >is 93 a waste of money with this engine? >Thanks!

Response:

I use Exxon Regular unleaded 87 octane in my 99 EB and it runs great, I asked the dealer about running a higher octane gas in the truck and he said that it could damage the engine!  That sounded a little extreme to me but I’ll stick with 87 anyway!  It’s nice and cheap now! I’d suggest sticking with 87 octane but go to a major brand of gas, stay away from those "Racetrak" cash only type places… I pull a boat with my truck and never heard a knock with the lowest octane out there..  Hope that helps any .. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi,  My 1998 XLT v6 was running a little rough with 87 octane. I believe >that’s what the manual states to put into the it.  I decided to put in 93 >octane and it seems to be running a better.  Has anybody experienced this or >is 93 a waste of money with this engine? >Thanks!

Response:

>Hi,  My 1998 XLT v6 was running a little rough with 87 octane.      

My ‘98 runs fine on 87. Ihave the sohc 6. try different brands of 87. I use Chevron in S. calif.

Response:

Hi,  My 1998 XLT v6 was running a little rough with 87 octane.  I believe that’s what the manual states to put into the it.  I decided to put in 93 octane and it seems to be running a better.  Has anybody experienced this or is 93 a waste of money with this engine? Thanks!

Response:

Question:

Does anyone have any information on 1999 Explorer?  I’m looking for significant changes from ‘98. What month do the new model year Explorers debut? Does anyone have an opinion about the color Autumn Orange?  It seems to go well with the Light Prairie Tan on the Eddie B. model. Thanks in advance, -Gary

Response:

I think the big change will be in 2000. If your conservative the Autumn Orange is a little strong.

Response:

While I was sitting at NTB getting my wheels aligned, I was flipping through a magazine that had the details on some of the changes for 99. Here is what I can remember for the Explorer. The front end is being redone slightly.  It is going to look more like a 98 Mountaineer (with the parking lamps only on the side intead of on top too).  The grill is also being rounded out to get rid of the "smiley face" appearance.  There is a slight adjustment to the rear light lenses, and that is about it.  I guess 2000 will be another big change!

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