Ford Repair: 98 Ford Explorer, ford motor parts, long term solution

Question
Steve, my Check Engine light just came on recently on my '98 Ford Explorer, so I had a friend hook his Diagnostic Device to it. He said that one bank (SOHC 4.0L) had 2 cylinders running lean and the other had one. He said that it was either the Intake Gaskets leaking or the Intake Manifold was cracked. Is this a common problem with that engine? And if the Intake is cracked, can it be repaired with an expoxy or something because I'm under the impression that it is made of some composite? Is there some aftermarket Intake that is better than the stock one? Thanks in advance for your assistance. Regards, Marv.

Answer
Marv-

  As much as I hate to say it, cracked intakes have been a problem for the last couple of years (as far as I've seen).  Yes, Ford does make them out of a composite material...you didn't see the old aluminum intakes cracking.  As for fixing it with an epoxy...it's possible but I would use that as a long term solution.  Usually it'll hold for a while and then get even worse.  As far as the aftermarket goes, they're been really slow with overhead cam Ford motor parts.  The Mustangs (4.6L models, anyway) are just starting to hit their stride and I have yet to see anything available for 4.0L motors.  That said, if anyone had them it'd be Sean Hyland Motorsports (slap a "www" in front of that and you've got their website) or possibly Saleen since they did have a short run of Saleen Explorers.  Hope this helps.

Steve