1996 Ford Explorer questions

[Charles]

My brother recently purchased a 1996 Ford Explorer that has a couple of issues.

1 - It has a sun roof that leaks. Is this a common issue that can be corrected? Is there a break down of how to disassemble it someone can post or give a link online, such as pics or details?


2 - Check engine light came on, and running the codes resulted in O2 sensor. He replaced it but I haven't heard if that solved the problem. anything else he should be looking at or for?


I know that doesn't tell a lot but this is just info he past on to me over the phone, I told him I would look online and get some feedback on the 02 thing and try and find a breakdown of the sun roof.

 

[TexCaliBII]

Hello,
Welcome to the site! Let's see if we can help you guys out. A couple causes for the leaks in these sun roofs are the seal the glass rests against when in its closed position. Have him take a look and see if the seal is cracked, ripped, partially missing, etc. That seal is replaceable. The most common reason for leaks is the drains getting plugged up. They are hard to see as they are in the channel between the glass seal and the sun roof frame but if you look you'll see them. They can get clogged up with dirt/junk adn let water back up into the truck. The front corner drains come out under the front cowl and the back corner drains come out the bottom of the truck just behind the front doors. The rear ones can be back blasted with an air compressor to free up the dirt/debris. The front ones that go to the cowl are harder but I have had success probing from the sun roof side with thin wire and freeing up the drain. He can check them by pouring a little water in the channel and see if it drains out. Good luck!

 

[Charles]

Thanks for the replay, I'll pass that info along.

 

[flamingx]

The O2 sensor is a comman problem on these due to the sensor has the wires coming out about 6" or so before the plug, the insulation gets brittle and cracks from the heat of the exhaust. Then driving through a puddle (or snow) it gets wet and causes the engine light to come on.

Though I haven't yet tested any cures for this problem, I have thought of wrapping them with header wrap or loosely with muffler tape to try to keep my engine light from constantly coming on. I usually just unhook my negative battery cable for a minute to reset the engine light and it's good 'til the next time it gets wet.