Well I think I am going to tune up the old explorer. It is a 1993 and it has 109000 miles on it. I am going to change the oil air filter and the fuel filter. I also want to change the spark plugs and the spark plug wires. And I was wondering if changing the spark plugs is a easy task? Also what kind of plugs and wires are you guys running? Anything else you think I should look into changing? Thanks for the input.

I, too, would love to have an answer to these questions - only I've already changed my filters.  The spark plugs look easily accessible -- could I do this myself, or should I pay the $80 they are asking?  (Who's they?  Four different shops in town! I *told* you it is expensive to live in this

The good ol 100k maintenance. Here is a list of things to change and check.   Oil and filter Plugs and plug wires (yes the wires matter) Trans filter Transmission flush (change the fluids) Gas filter PVC valve Belt Tensioner pulley bearing (grease) Wheel bearings (all 4) Tie rod ends (most don't have fittings any more) I'm sure there is much more. check your little air hoses   No you don't HAVE to do all of these, or even any of these, but it saves you a lot of headache down the road. The plugwires are hard to determine, but they cause loss of power pinging in the valves sudden loss of power on hills poor fuel mileage. Open the hood in the dark and see if you see a lightning storm or any arching.       Chris Robertson

Changing plugs is an easy job. For the record, I reccommend "upscaling" slightly to platinum plugs (at least, I run plat2's or above in everything) as well as running perfomance wiring. The extra $30-40 you spend will save you 2-3 mpg, so you easily make the money back AND get more performance out of the deal. Tom H '77 Granada '92 Tempo "Turbo" '92 Explorer >Well I think I am going to tune up the old explorer. It is a 1993=20 >and it has 109000 miles on it. I am going to change the oil air=20 >filter and the fuel filter. I also want to change the spark plugs=20 >and the spark plug wires. And I was wondering if changing the spark=20 >plugs is a easy task? Also what kind of plugs and wires are you guys=20 >running? Anything else you think I should look into changing?=20=20 >Thanks for the input. > > >

Tuning up your Explorer is very easy.  I also have a 1993 Explorer with 164,000 miles.  I replaced the plugs with Bosch Platinum plugs at about $2 a piece, and Bosch plug wires for about $25.  Changing the plugs and wires is a breeze.  The passenger side rear plug was the only challenge.  It can be reached from the passenger wheel well.  Make sure you have a long extension for your socket set.  Just make sure to gap the plugs correctly.  My Explorer purrs like a kitten with the new Bosch plugs and wires.  To remove the fuel filter you will need a small tool that auto shops sell to remove the fuel line.  There is no way to simply pull the fuel line off of the filter.  Flushing the coolant would not be a bad idea either.   

Is there a website or something (I can't get to the local library -- hours are strictly curtailed and I work the same hours, sigh) where I can see directions on how to do this?   The things daddies just don't teach their daughters!!!  

Joe

If you go to Pep Boys/Autozone/etc, you can buy a repair manual for your car.... Chiltons or Haynes are the best. I've been working on cars for 15 years and I still swear by them, there's nothing like step-by- step directions to read over BEFORE you start a job! Tom H >Is there a website or something (I can't get to the local library -- hour= >s are strictly curtailed and I work the same hours, sigh) where I can see= > directions on how to do this? >=20 >The things daddies just don't teach their daughters!!! >=20 >

Yeah, I know I can BUY the thing -- but I can't afford it right now. My dad swore by them. My ex-husband swore by them.  I would swear by them, and go to the library to get one.  LOL   I totally agree there's nothing like step-by-step BEFORE you do something.  I guess for now I'll pay someone to do the tune-up.   

Haynes and Chilton manuals are worth their weight in gold.  They are not necessary for the spark plug and wire change out.  First thing to do is pop the hood and locate the 3 spark plugs and wires on each side of the engine.  Follow the wires to the electronic distributor.  When you change the spark plugs and wires DO THEM ONE AT A TIME.  This will prevent you from hooking up the wrong wires.  You will need a socket set that has a spark plug socket.  Most Sears/craftsmen sets have them in their SAE 3/8" ratchet sets for like $20.  Start off by removing the spark plug wire boot from the driver side front plug.  Remove the plug, and replace with your newly gapped plug.  Spark plug gappers can be bought for $1 at any auto parts store.  Someone at the auto parts store may take the time to gap them for you if you ask nicely.  Make sure no debris gets into the hole where plug was removed.  Hand tighten new plug  and tighten approx. 1/4 turn after that.  Do not overtighten plug.  Place spark plug wire boot loosly back on new plug.  Repeat on next 5 plugs.  The passenger side rear plug is a bit tricky.  I  used an extension on the socket for that one, and accessed form through the front wheel well.  Now to the wires.  Remove one wire at a time, and match up old wire with same length of new wire.  Some boots are stuck to the old plugs really well.  It's ok to yank them off and damage them.  Buy some dyletric grease to put inside the new boots so they will come off more easily next time.  When you put the new wires on make sure to follow the same path as the old ones and clip them to correct clips to keep them off of the engine.  Hope this helps.   Joe

Just

Seems to me the $15 book is better than being gouged for the tuneup. If I had one I get you the pages you need, but I don't have one for the explorer yet myself. Good Luck! TH >Yeah, I know I can BUY the thing -- but I can't afford it right now. My dad swore by them. My ex- husband swore by them. I would swear by them, and go to the library to get one. LOL > >I totally agree there's nothing like step-by-step BEFORE you do something. I guess for now I'll pay someone to do the tune-up. > >tere > >

EGADS!!!  Off to a tune-up place for me right now!!!  I think, Joe, you've answered my question:  YES, it's worth it to pay someone if you've never done it before.  LOL   Thanks!

Joe

if that's all it was, you'd be right.  BUT:  this is how I see it:   $15 book $30 spark plugs & wires $15 spark plug puller thingy $2 spark plug gauge $?? for extension to go through the front wheel base $?? for the grease suggested   How much if truck won't go after I screw it up?  Priceless   No, I think I'll let a professional do it -- maybe he'll let me watch.  LOL  

Well too bad you don't live near Omaha, Nebraska.  I'd do the tune up for free.

Just

No, actually it's really easy.  I just worte a long process to explain everything.  Changing your oil is east too. 

Just

Can any one please tell me how to get off this mailing list. It's not that I don't like the people but I have had enough problems with my Explorer to burn it.