davem
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 3, 2004
- Messages
- 222
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Rochester, MN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01 XLT
My 2001 Explorer XLT V6 with 126K miles has had a rough idle at start up for awhile (1 - 2 years). Sometimes it barely keeps running and dies. This has been going on awhile, but seems to be getting worse, so I think I want to resolve this before winter sets in (MN).
Sometimes the check engine light comes on and stays on for weeks. Sometimes the CEL goes out, and does not re-appear despite some very, very rough starts. Even after a rough start, by the time I'm a mile down the road, its running good. On a warm start, it runs/idles fine.
I've owned this rig for the last 90K miles (2nd owner) and have never replaced plugs or wires. I would think its about time for plugs, and maybe even wires, but I'm just not sure - would they only affect a cold start ?
The intake o-ring situation that I've read about here seems like a possibility - are there any other tell-tale signs to support this idea ?
I'll also mention that its got a bit of a vacuum issue - will blow air through defroster vents instead of dash vents (even though dash vents were selected) under load, going up a hill. This has been going on for at least 5 years. But I thought I'd mention it in case vacuum may be part of the overall issue.
Any advice on how to attack this.
Thanks.
Sometimes the check engine light comes on and stays on for weeks. Sometimes the CEL goes out, and does not re-appear despite some very, very rough starts. Even after a rough start, by the time I'm a mile down the road, its running good. On a warm start, it runs/idles fine.
I've owned this rig for the last 90K miles (2nd owner) and have never replaced plugs or wires. I would think its about time for plugs, and maybe even wires, but I'm just not sure - would they only affect a cold start ?
The intake o-ring situation that I've read about here seems like a possibility - are there any other tell-tale signs to support this idea ?
I'll also mention that its got a bit of a vacuum issue - will blow air through defroster vents instead of dash vents (even though dash vents were selected) under load, going up a hill. This has been going on for at least 5 years. But I thought I'd mention it in case vacuum may be part of the overall issue.
Any advice on how to attack this.
Thanks.