Explorer XLT

• 78,450 miles

There seems to be a problem related to moisture, but we can't pin it down and the local dealer has been of no help. When driving my 99 explorer when the roads are wet or snowy, occasionally the engine will "buck" or hesitate. Frequency varies from every 1 to 10 minutes when cruising. Does not buck when idling. Coincidentally or not, this problem appeared after installation of an intake gasket. No code shows up when problem is happening. Ford dealer also changed plugs and plug wires (currently they seem to be attempting to correct this by the process of elimination) and then took it for a test drive and it was worse than before. Oddly enough upon reviewing problems at 2carpros.com another consumer has this identical problem. Their answer was that thye should double check very closely the wiring around the engine. We let the garage know this suggestion. They have now brought it to a larger dealer in another town. They also consulted the Ford hotline regarding this, which I think is what led them to replacing the plugs/wires. The next step I guess is for them to Ford field engineer to help with diagnosis. However, we have also been informed if this is necessary we will incur the cost of $125/hour. What to do? What to do? If their local dealer and consultation with hot line expert can't solve a problem with their own product, which they manufactured and should know inside out - why should the innocent consumer end up paying thru the nose.