Hi-Truck descrption-Advice?

Hi, I am new to this site, just saying hi. I have a 1997 Eddie Bauer with the SOHC V6, Which after buying I have found out is by far the worst engine in any explorer and is incredibly unreliable. But it is the only engine for the 2nd gen that we can get here in NZ. I have owned it for almost a year and it has done 155,000kms (96,000 miles) and has been running reasonably well, it does however shudder when it idles and fuel consumption has gone up massively and I am using quater of a tank to just drive about 7 miles. I have only changed the air filter since owning (it was thick with tar and dirt and suspect it haadnt been done in ages) the oil isnt too dirty either, all fluids are always topped up and nothing is leaking or draining.

Is you C-E-L on? This will provide us will good in tell on the problem at hand. VIA engine codes


Clean ur MAF sensor its prolly really caked up. Do a complete tune up. thats what i suggest with the info you've givin. IF the filter was that jacked you can pretty much bet they never changed the fuel filter plugs or wires either....... check your fuel pressure as well im not sure what psi your truck should be at. But you can find out with the search tool in the "stock 95-01 explores" topic area.

welcome and best of luck!

Ok, I am mechanically retarded, Where is the MAF sensor and what does it look like, also is easy to take out to clean?

What is C-E-L?

Check Engine Light
MAF will be after the Air cleaner and before the intake. Pull off the plastic ducting and spray the MAF with a cleaner but don't touch the inside of the MAF. Hope this helps

to add to what cruiser64 said,

Spray the maf several times form different angles. Make sure you buy MAFS CLEANER specifically. Its more expensive then brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Also be careful when you take your air inlet tube off. There is are wires connected to the sensor you dont want to ruin that or the sensor. MAF sensor's are expensive!

easiest way

find your air box

get a screw driver and loosen the clamp on the backside of the airbox facing the fire wall

fallow the top of the air inlet tube coming from the air box there should b a square looking thing comming out of the top of the tube with a plug into it with 3 wires I believe it also has to bolts comming from the top of the sensor there should be two bolts holding them down (dont try and loosen them) theres a special bit u need to remove them

after you find the sensor if you examine where the wires go in there is a little tab you can push down on top of the plug. Push it down and hold it wiggle the plug DO NOT pull on the wires

it will pop off with some prompting be persistent do not be a gorilla!

after you get the plug out continue, up the air innlet tube to where it connects to the motor you will see another clamp you must loosen with a screw driver then pull the tube off the motor ( grab the tube on either side twist to the left n right slightly while pulling away from the motor) this will free the tube from the motor

repeat this step on the air box to remove the tube from the air box

now look down the tube and u'll see the sensor in the middle of the tube

get your spay can of MAF cleaner and blast the living crap out of the sensor

let it dry for like 20-30 min

then put it all back together

Dont forget to tighten the clamps back up and plug the sensor back inn or you will have a check engine light and a very bad running truck if you dont

Thank you for the advice, I will try this and get back to everyone with another update

Also one more issue I have noticed and forgotten to mention is when accelerating, usually around 2500rpm the engine starts ticking. Is this something that could be fixed by doing the already mentioned maintenance ?

describe the "ticking" if you are standing in front of the truck and you are pulling the throttle linkage to make the engine rpms rise can you hear the ticking? and where do you think it is comming from?

does it go away after a certain rpm?
does it get loader at any point?

I have never made it do that from standing in front of the truck. I will make a video to show it as best I can, yes the ticking stops again. I think it is just happening in second, but again I will check for you.

The ticking could very well be spark plugs wires arcing in a certain rpm range. Where the energy they are transferring is too great for the wore out casing (on old spark plug wires) to hold inn. When it gets dark out. Fire up you truck and inspect and trace your spark plug wires. They should be circular look and feel for flat spots. Or place that are just plain wore threw. Give it a little juice and hold it constant as well this will make the acring easier to locate wit will be brighter because they are flowing more energy. Happy hunting. I had a "ticking noise" what seemed to be only in second gear. I couldnt find anything wrong in the day time. But one evening rolled around. I was like screw it I might as well check it. Sure enough 3 bad wires. Replaced them and the ticking was gone.

Also could be spark knock but that's a whole other issue. Stick with your tune up and lets go from there.

Wow you are so knowledgable Wray-Wray, thank you for all your help. As soon as I can afford it, I will be doing the MAF (will just replace as it seems everything is really dirty and worn in this truck) fuel filter, spark plugs and wires. I will update this thread once that is done. The ticking only happens in second gear at about 2500rpm, it sounds like it does when you put a playing card in the spoke of a bicycle, the ticking of the card hitting the other spokes.

I really appreciate all the help I am getting.

Thank you grave flower. Just glade I could help!


Make sure you get a good set of wires Premium plug wires from napa are like 75bux they have a life time warranty there worth every penny. I would go with a set of motorcraft or bosch plugs. I really wouldn't replace you MAF sensor its like 150 bux. If its not giving you a code that means its not broken just a little dirty at best. A 9 dollar can of MAF sensor cleaner is a much better solution.

Also if you want to get a jump start on your next problem go to autozone and get yourself a hayne's manual for your truck its worth the 35 bux. Start reading it! I refer to it all the time! Especially when I am under my truck, and the computer is too much hassle at the time being. It has pictures and step by step instructions. Not to mention lists of tools needed for the jobs your are doing. Its a little difficult to navigate threw the pages at first. But you'll get it after a while.


I would also plan on doing the spark plugs n wires at the same time. Bad things happen to old crusty wires when you try and remove them

Update for you guys, I looked a little further into the ticking issue and it seems to be there all the time and just becomes noticeable while driving at 2,500rpm. I had a look in the garage at night in pitch black and revved it and no flash or anything so I suspect something else. Oil and filter, fuel filter and spark plugs are first things to replace though.