My girlfriends Explorer had the exact same problem a year ago. It was the intake manifold gasket. There are some water ports at the rear of the mainfold. It should be noticable once you get the manifold off. If you don't see any water in the valley then I would look at a head gasket or a cracked head. It took me a whole afternoon to repair. Most of it spent cleaning stuff. While I was there I replaced the thermostat, plugs, plug wires. I also had to re-torque the mainfold after a 100 miles or so due to a vacuum leak. She has about 7500 miles since and has not had a problem with it again.
How many miles are on it? It is an Auto or 5spd? Be careful if it is an Auto. The A4LD's are prone to failure. They are a light duty transmission not made to handle too much abuse. Check out www.therangerstation.com. There is a lot of good info there.
Good luck
How many miles are on it? It is an Auto or 5spd? Be careful if it is an Auto. The A4LD's are prone to failure. They are a light duty transmission not made to handle too much abuse. Check out www.therangerstation.com. There is a lot of good info there.
Good luck
Her Explorer had a very little trace of water in the oil when I change it (after installing the new gasket). The water was leaking into the lifter valley and mixed with the oil. I guess the intake gasket it is a common thing for the early 4.0's? She had around 137K when hers let go.
Thanks John, yes that's my "Tigger" car. It is a 96, the only year for the Tangerine Orange. Unfortunately, I don't drive it much anymore as I am trying to keep the miles off it.
Thanks John, yes that's my "Tigger" car. It is a 96, the only year for the Tangerine Orange. Unfortunately, I don't drive it much anymore as I am trying to keep the miles off it.