I'm looking at picking up a 2001 ford expedtion xlt 2wd, leather seats, power everything, 140k miles, and has the 4.6l engine.  How good are these engines?  any common problems with them?  I can pick this up for $2900...good deal or walk?

Ford's 4.6 is a pretty good engine. Crown Victoria's (police and civvie) use the 4.6, some ford vans use the 4.6, and the mustangs also used the 4.6, among others that use it. Engine wise, I would say the 4.6 is proven.

It's the transmission you have to worry about. If it's never been flushed or had regular service, don't flush it, or you could fudge it. Ford has a habit of using weak transmissions, while im sure others here would be quick to disagree with me.

The mileage is kinda high, but as long as it's been taken care of, you should get good use out of it.

Quoted: Ford's 4.6 is a pretty good engine. Crown Victoria's (police and civvie) use the 4.6, some ford vans use the 4.6, and the mustangs also used the 4.6, among others that use it. Engine wise, I would say the 4.6 is proven. It's the transmission you have to worry about. If it's never been flushed or had regular service, don't flush it, or you could fudge it. Ford has a habit of using weak transmissions, while im sure others here would be quick to disagree with me. The mileage is kinda high, but as long as it's been taken care of, you should get good use out of it.

+1 on both points.  I have a 1997 Expedition with the 4.6L, owned it about 5 years.  Has a bit less than 105K on it now. I had to replace one of the exhaust manifolds because a hole rusted in it.  Otherwise the engine has been trouble free.

I aksed the local Ford dealer about flushing the tranny and he gave me the same advice that Bedore posted.

I owned a 2001 Expedition 4.6L.  Not a bad vehicle.

The one BIG nagging problem was the coil packs.

Instead of a traditional distributor, the 4.6L has individual coil packs that sit on each cylinder.

I had SEVEN of them go out while I owned it.  $300 a pop to replace.

- AG

I don't know if it uses the same 8.8" independent rear axle as my 4.6 Explorer, but if it does I'd be cautious of differential noise.  I'm on my third one in 140K and a friend of mine has had differential problems on his Expedition as well (though, as I said, I don't know if they are the same diff).

Quoted: I don't know if it uses the same 8.8" independent rear axle as my 4.6 Explorer, but if it does I'd be cautious of differential noise.  I'm on my third one in 140K and a friend of mine has had differential problems on his Expedition as well (though, as I said, I don't know if they are the same diff).

2001 should still be the solid rear axle.  

Quoted: I don't know if it uses the same 8.8" independent rear axle as my 4.6 Explorer, but if it does I'd be cautious of differential noise.  I'm on my third one in 140K and a friend of mine has had differential problems on his Expedition as well (though, as I said, I don't know if they are the same diff).

I don't know for sure, but my understanding is that the Explorer is based off of a Ranger, and Expedition is off of an F-150, and I'm pretty sure they do not use same wheel base or frame parts (wider/bigger/heavier truck).