lean codes 1 and 2 help

EXPLORER-J · January 10, 2016

Just changed the plugs and wires on my 99 4.0 2wd explorer. And its running like **** scaned it and both lean codes came back. Plugs are firing good but its idling funny and putting on take off. The old plugs were shot crumbing as l was taking them out. Also l have not changed the MAF,DDPFE or EGR sensors could that be the problem also im smelling alot of carbon outside and inside the car. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful this is my only car and l need it running properly. Thanks

XLTrunner · January 10, 2016

Sounds very much like a vacuum leak. Lean codes are often triggered by deteriorated intake gaskets. Also, might try replacing the PCV valve (inexpensive) and removing/cleaning the base of the coil pak.

EXPLORER-J · January 10, 2016

I replaced the pvc and the cracked hoses and it idles better but soon as l put it in drive its shaky and lacks power.

Turdle · January 10, 2016

Is it running worse with the new plugs and wires than it did before the work?

EXPLORER-J · January 10, 2016

Yes worse. Replaced pcv today and idles fine but put it in drive and it starts hesitating and sputtering and lacks power when l drive it. Took it around the block and the check engine light came back on. Im clueless

Robman · January 10, 2016

You sure you got the plug wires on good enough on the sparkplug end?

Maybe one or 2 aren't pushed on far enough.

I suppose a faulty new plug isn't out of the question.

Also, check your vacuum lines, could have jostled some around when tuning up.

2000StreetRod · January 10, 2016

which engine?

None of your past posts identify which 4.0L engine you have. If you have the SOHC make sure cylinders 5 and 6 are connected to the correct terminals on the coilpack.

Same advice if you have the OHV.

EXPLORER-J · January 10, 2016

I had to remove the passenger tire and fender shroud there's a cylindrical ball with two hard wire hoses coming out of it would that have anything to do with it are those vacuum lines the cylindrical ball was attached to the fender shroud. like I said the PCV valve had two hoses coming out of it running to either side of the intake manifold which had cuts on them and was sucking air I replace the PCV valve with the hoses and the idle corrected itself but when I put it in drive it shakes and hesitates and lacks power when I give it gas the car seem to run better with ****ty spark plugs and wires in it than It did with new ones. is it possible that the spark plugs weren't gapped properly

Turdle · January 10, 2016

EXPLORER-J said:
I had to remove the passenger tire and fender shroud there's a cylindrical ball with two hard wire hoses coming out of it would that have anything to do with it are those vacuum lines the cylindrical ball was attached to the fender shroud. like I said the PCV valve had two hoses coming out of it running to either side of the intake manifold which had cuts on them and was sucking air I replace the PCV valve with the hoses and the idle corrected itself but when I put it in drive it shakes and hesitates and lacks power when I give it gas the car seem to run better with ****ty spark plugs and wires in it than It did with new ones. is it possible that the spark plugs weren't gapped properly

As suggested by 2000Streetrod, double check the firing order on the driver side if the engine. This is the most common cause, we all have made that mistake. In fact, triple check this.

bobflood · January 11, 2016

EXPLORER-J said:
I had to remove the passenger tire and fender shroud there's a cylindrical ball with two hard wire hoses coming out of it would that have anything to do with it are those vacuum lines the cylindrical ball was attached to the fender shroud.

Yes, those are vacuum lines - the black ball is the vacuum reservoir.

EXPLORER-J · January 11, 2016

The pcv fits inside a hose behind the intake manifold where does that hose run to behind the engine somewhere? I can't tell??? I would like to know so l can Inspect it for damage.

2000StreetRod · January 12, 2016

crankcase breather

You still haven't shared which engine you have. If you have the SOHC V6 then the other hose from the PCV valve goes to the crankcase breather.

herlilred96 · April 14, 2016

Thank you. Mine is the OHV. I did look up the order and made note of the proper number order and verified that each wire was attached appropriately as I had changed them one at a time to make sure I didn't mix them up but not sure the person before me hadn't mixed them up.

Now I wonder though, would it make a difference if I possibly didn't use the correct length wire in the right place or are they different lengths only as a matter of reaching their destination? A couple of them are pretty close in length so would that make a difference in operation?

XLTrunner · April 14, 2016

For all practical purposes, wire length will have nothing to do with performance. As you presumed, they are only different lengths to be a better fit to the closest vs furthest plugs from the coil.

shadow460 · April 14, 2016

Seconded for intake gaskets. They are cheap and easy to replace. You just have to take your ti.e and label everything you take off of the upper intake.
Open the hood, start the engine, and rap on the big plastic tube that's part of the upper intake. You might be able to hear air rush past the gaskets like I did.
It took me three hours to replace them and put everything back together but I cut a couple corners.
You need a t30 torx to undo the upper intake bolts, I think everything else is 7, 8, 10, and 11 mm. Get a couple different extensions if you need 'em and go to town. It ain't hard.
Oh, I put gasket sealer on the new gaskets and also on the idle air control gaskets.
With that and a new belt the engine sounds much better.

herlilred96 · April 14, 2016

Good to know. I'm going out now to check again that each wire is on all the way, etc.
It seems to me that considering the fact that it was misfiring on 6 and after plug and wire change it is now misfiring on 4 that it would almost have to be related to a plug or wire issue. ?? I'm guessing... Any thoughts on other possibilities are certainly welcome. I appreciate the advice. There are plenty of shade tree mechanics around here but it seems to me that they are all just guessing for the most part. At any rate my son is coming up to look over my 99 explorer in a few days and he will figure it out if I can't, just wanted him to be proud of mom for doing it herself...

XLTrunner · April 14, 2016

Couple of personal observations based on my experiences with these trucks.

1) Usually an intake manifold vacuum leak will show itself upon start-up with an erratic idle. Oftentimes (but, not always), as the engine heats up and the gaskets swell, the engine will smooth out.

2) A cylinder misfire code does not necessarily mean it's only an external electrical ignition related issue. It can mean something more sinister going on within the cylinder itself. My son had a '96 Explorer and it tripped a misfire code. He lived out of state but, on my next visit, we tried new plugs, wires, coil. Nothing helped. He lived with it for a couple months longer until finally taking it to the dealership. They used a tiny camera to peer inside the suspect cylinder (spark plug removed, of course) and found particles of debris inside. No idea what they were from (at least what he remembered when explained to him)...but, apparently the damage was such that an engine rebuild was recommended. Hopefully, that's not the case for you.

Grego50 · April 14, 2016

Engine rebuilds are often recommended by dealerships, when they don't know what's wrong.

herlilred96 · April 16, 2016

UPDATE: Great advice all. Turns out the number 4 plug wire was not seated all the way. She's running pretty good now. It seems that no matter the issue the thing still goes and goes. My friend with the code reader will by tomorrow to recheck with the tester but he reset the CEL and I drove the heck out of it after securing the plug wire and so far the light has not retriggered. Will let you all know how the test goes tomorrow. Thanks again fir the help.

lean codes 1 and 2 help

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