engine FORD EXPLORER 1998 2.G Repair Manual
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²If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses, flush with water
for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking ``Antabuse'' or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. Consult a physician
immediately.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Vehicles certified to California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are designed to
operate on California reformulated gasolines. If California reformulated
gasoline is not available when you refuel, your vehicle can be operated
on non-California fuels. However, even though your engine will perform
adequately on other gasolines, the performance of the emission control
devices and systems may be adversely affected.
Repair of damage caused by using a fuel that your vehicle was not
designed for may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
``Regular'' unleaded with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
``Regular'' in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or
even less.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions on fuel with the
87
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recommended octane, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ``Regular'' gasoline.
``Premium'' gasoline is not recommended (particularly in the United
States) because it may cause these problems to become more
pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) issued a
gasoline specification to provide information on high quality fuels that
optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or
15% MTBE.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol, which can damage critical fuel
system components. Damage resulting from the use of methanol may not
be covered by your warranty.
Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your vehicle's fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and record the initial odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five fuel tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and
record the current mileage reading.
4. Use one of the following equations to calculate fuel economy.
Liters used x 1004Total kilometers traveled
Total miles traveled4Total gallons used
Keep a record for at least one month. This will provide an accurate
estimate of the vehicle's fuel economy.
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your ``Service Guide'' performed according
to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the ``Service Guide'' are
required because they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure, the
charging system warning light, the ``Check Engine'' light or the
temperature warning light. These events could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have
the dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive
if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
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the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ``Warranty Guide'' for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ``check engine/service
engine soon'' light is on, reference the applicable light description in the
Warning Lights and Chimessection of your owners guide. Your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test with the ``check engine/service engine soon''
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ``not ready for I/M test'' condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop and go, city type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²headlamps
²foglamps
²high-mount brakelamp
²brakelamps
²turn signals
²license plate lamp
²tail lamps
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Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Remove any bugs and tar
before waxing vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
touch-up paint, repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory
line. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
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²5.0L
²4.0L SOHC
²4.0L EFI
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
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MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.0L EFI
engine4.0L SOHC
engine5.0L engine
Air filter FA-1616 FA-1658 FA-1658
Fuel filter FG-872 FG-872 FG-872
Battery BXT-65-650 BXT-65-650 BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-1A FL-1A FL-820S
PCV valve EV-225 EV-225 EV-152
Spark plugs* AGRF-22P AGRF-22P AWSF-32EE
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for
spark plug gap information.
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REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(including
filter
change)Motorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilAll engines
4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Brake fluid Ford High
Performance DOT
3 Brake FluidAll
Fill to line in
reservoir
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir or
dipstick
Transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F5-speed manual
2.6L (5.6 pints)
Motorcraft
MERCONtVATF4R70W Automatic
(5.0L engines
only)13.1L (13.9
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x2)9.0L (9.5
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x2)9.25L (9.75
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x4)9.3L (9.8
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x4)9.55L (10.0
quarts)
Transfer
caseMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F4WD 1.4L (1.5
quarts)
AWD 1.25L (1.3
quarts)
Engine
coolantFord Premium
Cooling System
Fluid4.0L engine 7.4L (7.8
quarts)
5.0L engine 12.1L (12.8
quarts)
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Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Front axle
fluidMotorcraft SAE
80W90 Axle
LubricantAll
1.7L (3.5 pints)
Rear axle
fluid
1, 2, 3, 4Motorcraft SAE
80W90 Axle
LubricantVehicles with
conventional axles
2.9-3.1L
(5.50-5.80
pints) Motorcraft SAE
75W140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to footnotes
2 and 3
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
ConcentrateAll vehicles
2.6L (2.7
quarts)
1Fill to 6 mm to 14. 2 (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
2Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI engines may have a
limited slip differential. If your vehicle is equipped with a limited slip
differential, add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive friction modifier
C8AZ-19B546-A, Ford specification EST-M2C118±A, for complete refill of
8.8 inch and 9.75 inch rear axles.
3Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC or 4.0L EFI engines and 3.73 or
4.10 rear axle ratios or 5.0L engines require synthetic rear axle lubricant.
Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These
lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected,
service required or the axle assembly has been submerged in water. The
axle lubricant should be changed any time the axle has been submerged
in water. For Traction-Lok rear axles, add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive
friction modifier C8AZ-19B546-A, Ford specification EST-M2C118±A,
whenever the lubricant is changed.
4Refer to your ``Service Guide'' for axle fluid change intervals.
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LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
FluidFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Windshield
washer fluid
reservoirFord Ultra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AA
OR -BAESR-M17P5-A
Body hinges,
latches, door
stricker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latchMulti-Purpose
GreaseD7AZ-19584-AA
OR
D0AZ-19584-AAESR-M1C159-A
AND
ESB-M1C93-B
Hydraulic clutch
master cylinder
and brake
master cylinderHigh
Perfromance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESZ-M6C25-A
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or K ESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolantFord Premium
Cooling System
FluidE2FZ-19549-AA ESE-M97B44-A
Engine oilMotorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C153-G
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
(4R7OW)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Automatic
transmission
(5R55E)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
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200