Help and Insights on a 2013 Explorer - Ford Techs and other opinions appreciated

[G8orFord]

I'm looking at possibly purchasing a 2013 Explorer Limited. Vin #1FM5K7F88DGA53446 3.5 V6, 6 speed auto Select Shift trans, 77k miles

Wanting to know what issues came with this era Explorer. Not a huge fan of the FWD they went to, but for my purposes, it will be fine. Any experiences and opinions whether from owners or technicians would be appreciated.

Link > https://www.fordcrestview.com/inventory/used-vehicles/vehicle/1FM5K7F88DGA53446/Used-2013-Ford-Explorer-Crestview-FL

@adsm08 @19Walt93

 

[adsm08]

Steering gears, water pumps, and evap purge valves are the biggest mechanical issues I see on these things. The rack itself is an expensive part, but they aren't an every-day thing. The water pump isn't super common either, but when they go they are expensive/time consuming to replace because they are driven by the timing chain.

Since it is at a Ford dealer I'd ask if it was regularly serviced there, and try to find out about those two bigger things.

The purge valves we used to see regularly, but they have slowed down a good bit. They also are cheap to buy and easy to find and fix. Diagnosing a bad one is as simple as unhooking it and holding your finger over the end with the engine running, any vacuum felt and it is leaking. Replacing it is two 8mm bolts and pull it out.

The only other thing I can think of at that mileage is the rear wheel bearings. Someone at Ford said "lets put a steel bearing in an aluminum knuckle". Everyone else said "Oh yeah, that's a great idea, no problem there." So if you are in a corrosion area be aware that the need for a rear wheel bearing may come with a surprise ~$300 for a knuckle too when they can't get the bearing out.

 

[G8orFord]

Steering gears, water pumps, and evap purge valves are the biggest mechanical issues I see on these things. The rack itself is an expensive part, but they aren't an every-day thing. The water pump isn't super common either, but when they go they are expensive/time consuming to replace because they are driven by the timing chain.

Since it is at a Ford dealer I'd ask if it was regularly serviced there, and try to find out about those two bigger things.

The purge valves we used to see regularly, but they have slowed down a good bit. They also are cheap to buy and easy to find and fix. Diagnosing a bad one is as simple as unhooking it and holding your finger over the end with the engine running, any vacuum felt and it is leaking. Replacing it is two 8mm bolts and pull it out.

The only other thing I can think of at that mileage is the rear wheel bearings. Someone at Ford said "lets put a steel bearing in an aluminum knuckle". Everyone else said "Oh yeah, that's a great idea, no problem there." So if you are in a corrosion area be aware that the need for a rear wheel bearing may come with a surprise ~$300 for a knuckle too when they can't get the bearing out.

Thanks @adsm08 that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for.