Hello, Mr. Kilmer. I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport track, and I'm the original owner. It's an automatic two wheel drive and only has 58,436 original miles. It looks as if it's brand new. But up until now, I have not been able to drive it due to having two eye surgeries. So it has set for about a year and a half. Although I start it every now and then and a couple of times, I've had to use a battery charger to start the battery. I have also driven it around the neighborhood once or twice, and my wife drove it to get an oil change for me, but that is it. Other than it probably needing a new battery and tires. When my eyes are good enough that I can drive again and take it to Ford for any repairs. What should I be looking for them to fix, and what should I be looking for them not to fix? I don't want to be taken advantage of. I also had the throttle body cleaned out, and the cooling system flushed in 2015. What would be your recommendation? If I could send a photo, you could see how clean the vehicle is, and the original miles are due to over 20 surgeries and not driving it as much as someone normally would. And if it matters for the last 9 years, I have been on the Central Coast of California, where it is only covered by a car port. It's not in a garage like it was in Texas for 14 years.
Thank you very much, Brian Pennington
What should I be looking for them to fix, and what should I be looking for them not to fix?
Don't take a 23-year-old vehicle to the dealer for service. Most of the technicians there were in diapers when that thing was built.
I don't want to be taken advantage of.
Then you definitely need to stay away from dealers. Also avoid chain shops such as Pep Boys, Firestone, Midas, etc. Find a good independent shop if you wont be working on the truck yourself.
What would be your recommendation?
A year and a half isn't too terrible, especially if it's been run periodically.
If gasoline stabilizer was not added when the truck was parked the gas in it is stale and should be replaced with fresh fuel. Maybe use some fuel injector cleaner.
You'll want to flush coolant if it hasn't been changed since 2015. If the oil and filter have not been changed in over a year that needs to be done. Transmission fluid and filter should be changed.
You should search the board. This kind of question has come up quite a few times.
If I could send a photo, you could see how clean the vehicle is
See the topic near the main page with the title "READ THIS FIRST - Forum Guide" for photo instructions.
Thank you very much for your comments. I live in a very small town, and we don't even have fast food restaurants like McDonald's. lol... So other than the local Ford dealership, It might take some time to find somebody who's reputable and honest to do any repairs that I might need on my vehicle. After it has been sitting, although the good news is that when my wife needs to go to the market or take me to see my eye surgeon. We will take the truck sometimes, so it's not completely just sitting, and it has had a current oil change. As I mentioned, the coolant system was flushed along with the throttle body cleaning in 2015 before I left Texas. So if that's recommended again, I could certainly do that. As I mentioned, I know that it will need new tires and a new battery for sure. Based on the age of the vehicle, should I be concerned or have any of the body mounts looked at because it sits on a full ladder frame. I do believe most of those are a composite or a hard rubber, but it is 23 years old, after all. But if there's anything else that you guys could think of for a vehicle of that age, please let me know. I would definitely like to hear your opinion, and the transmission has never been opened before. Based on those miles, I haven't had a reason to do so before. As some might say, this is my baby, and I would always do everything. I could do it myself, but after 20 surgeries. I find it hard, but I want to keep the truck. Looking as good and running as well as possible for as long as I can. Because the mileage is nothing compared to the age of the vehicle. So once again, I appreciate all your input and your expertise.
Thank you all very much.