Looking at the above with approximately 176,000 miles. Salesman told me that the CEL is on due to oxygen sensor. This is a used car satellite at a farm equipment location so I'm not sure if they're equipped to handle automotive repairs. How expensive/difficult to change a O2 sensor? Also what should a person look for on this age vehicle with this kind of mileage? Thanks!

PS I'm an F150 owner and have seen posts concerning the Ford SUV's on here before, so that's why I'm asking here.

 

I'm thinking there's prolly not much life left in that old girl. Unless it's a freebie, I'd leave it there.

 

Just test drove it this AM. Recent freezing rain/snow had it pretty well covered. My son and I took it to the local carwash and cleaned it all off. Pretty nice, clean vehicle for the age/mileage. I realize the 176,000 is a lot of miles but I've always been under the impression that as long as somethings been taken care of, mileage isn't really an issue. I've had vehicles as follows: 87 Chev Celebrity - sold it with 175000 miles - to a fellow at work for work car - still running strong. Was just a rust bucket when I sold it. 92 Dodge Caravan - sold with around 175000 miles to another fellow at work - still running well back and forth to work around 40 miles a day. Also had a 93 Suburban I sold to a fellow with 165000 miles - he still driving that without any issues. Had an old 84 diesel Sub that had 270,000 plus miles - different story with diesels I know. But I'm a firm believer in maintenance especially oil changes.

Anyway, getting carried away here. I stopped by Advanced Auto parts and they used their equipment to check out the codes for the CEL. There were 3 codes that came up - DTC P0133 - 02 Sensor, CKT Slow Response, Bank 1 Sensor 1; DTC P0153 02 Sensor CKT Slow Response, Bank 2 Sensor 1; and DTC P0420 - Catalyst Effieciency Below Threshold - Bank 1.

So, everything seems to work with all the options - power windows, locks, 4 wheel drive - button system, etc. New tires, transmission fluid looks OK - no burnt smell. I will be talking to the former owner after holiday. Any other comments concerning miles?? I've read some good success stories on other posts with engines having over 200,000 miles?? This vehicle is for my son. I bought a 99 Cougar for my older daughter a few years back. It had just over 100,000 miles on it - that was almost 3 years ago. It now has about 121,000. So they don't put many miles on the vehicle. If it makes 200,000 without many issues - that would be fine by me.

 

If the engine sounds good and it idles smooth I say its ok IMO. I had a 99 Explorer that had 115,000 when I got rid of it and it ran like new. I just needed something bigger to tow with only reason I got rid of mine.

As far O2 sensor, I did mine at about 80,000 beacuse of a cel. They make a special socket to remove them with but I was able to break mine loose with just a cresent, after that it was just screw the new one in and plug it in. Alothough mine was the one down stream and not right by the mainfold, so it was fairly easy to get to and was not subject to as much heat as the first ones.

 

Well, if it wasn't taken care of, it prolly wooldn't have made it to 176K in the first place. And the O2 sensors are easy to replace. It all rolls onto the purchase price.

 

I had a 1996 Explorer XLT with the 4.0L V6 and never had a single problem with it. I had almost 120,000 miles on it when I sold it for something new. Ran like a champ, can't say enough good things about it.

-Brian