You are viewing the Serious Explorations Archive.
Click Here to view our message board.


View Full Version : Engine Pinging and Loss of Power


Rapter554
10-07-2003, 01:23 PM
I have a 96' XLT 4x4 4.0 5spd. I just passed 100,000 miles. I have noticed that the engine pinging is getting worse. I really have no idea what to do to stop the pinging. I have searched the board for engine pinging and have found nothing. Im sure its here just beyond my newbie skills. Thanks!

97BlackX5.0
10-07-2003, 02:32 PM
ever had a tuneup... by tuneup i mean spark plug wires , spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, maybe run a some injector cleaner through it, do you have a check engine light on ?

RickOTR
10-07-2003, 02:36 PM
I too had the same problem when I owned a 91 explorer. It involves removing cylinder #5's spark plug and observing it for carbon buildup. This buildup is due to a lower intake leak of engine oil from a faulty gasket. Ford has an updated gasket that is made of sheet steel with rubber vulcanized around the port openings. This is much better than the original cardboard gasket.

Also clean the MAF sensor with some denatured alcohol ad a cotton swap. This solved the pinging and hesitation on my 97 explorer.

Rapter554
10-07-2003, 02:37 PM
I bought it a few months ago, and have no record if it has ever had a tune up. Sounds like a good idea. No there is no check engine light.

Rhett
10-08-2003, 01:32 PM
Originally posted by RickOTR
I too had the same problem when I owned a 91 explorer. It involves removing cylinder #5's spark plug and observing it for carbon buildup. This buildup is due to a lower intake leak of engine oil from a faulty gasket. Ford has an updated gasket that is made of sheet steel with rubber vulcanized around the port openings. This is much better than the original cardboard gasket.


heheh! Taken verbatim from the Explorer Owner's Maintenance Reference Page:
http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/exp.html

And Rapter, do a search on this site for a product called Seafoam...worked for me.

Broccoli1
10-08-2003, 02:01 PM
http://www.explorer4x4.com/tips.htm

Scroll down to engine missing and pinging

TheJMan
10-08-2003, 06:26 PM
At 100,000 miles, if those are the original spark plugs, they are probably in pretty bad shape. At 79K, I replaced my plugs and wires (the plugs were really bad), and although I haven't had a problem with pinging, it has really helped smooth out the engine and is much more responsive.