# Repairs to 1996 Explorer:

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 4, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686 "2008-08-04T23:06:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bystander](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bystander/32/916_2.png) [@bystander](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bystander)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686/1 "2008-08-04T23:06:58Z")

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I have a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT 6 cyl. With 126K miles. I am the original owner and have not had any major problems with it at all. I am taking it to a repair shop to have everything checked and fixed on it. Any things to watch out for from the repair shop?  
  
 If I am happy with this vehicle and want to keep it, what is the most I should invest in it?

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686/2 "2008-08-05T00:45:21Z")

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Don’t let them hook up a U-Haul trailer to it. The truck will immediately do the mambo and go off the road.

On a serious note: Are you experiencing any problems right now? If not, be a little skeptical of any gloom-and-doom diagnoses. Skeptical doesn’t mean to reject the possibility out of hand. Just ask questions (and post the issues here).

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686/3 "2008-08-05T00:50:29Z")

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Make sure it is a reliable repair shop which will be able to give you the actual degree of wear on various oitems. Sears Automotive, and some other chains, would immediately find $5000 worth of repairs. A AAA certified auto inspection centre will give you a good idea of what the car needs, it anything.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2008, 3:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repairs-to-1996-explorer/17686/4 "2008-08-05T03:56:13Z")

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If you’re happy with it then repair any problems (within reason) and keep driving it. No reason why it won’t hit 300k miles.  
Depending on the road and environmental conditions, I would have the suspension closely inspected (especially ball joints) and odds are that at 126k miles the belt tensioner pulleys could be getting a bit iffy. It’s always better to replace the tensioners and belts rather than wait until a tensioner seizes up and pops the belt in the middle of nowhere during a thunderstorm.

The fuel filter is another item that is often overlooked, or ignored, and can become a problem as far as fuel pump life is concerned.  
Transmission fluid/filter change is always recommended (at 30k mile intervals).

I wouldn’t have a problem with investing a few grand in it if need be and IF the repairs are legitimate. The way I look at it would be if you bought another vehicle you’re going to lose a couple of grand right off the top and immediately. Even more if the note was carried to full term.