Aussies at wits end.. PLEASE HELP -)

Kristy_Kai · 06-28-2012, 11:43 PM

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much for your reply... And trust us any help is good help at this point...lol. Yes we have actually replaced those gasket's as it has had a full head rebuild and valve relap in March of this year and at that point we put a full kit from Rock Auto through it which even had the Throttle Body Gasket's etc in it.

Both the Fuel Rail Bolts and the Intake Mani bolts have been torqued down to the correct manuf settings. Actually did that again last night as we had the intake off it to put the wiring loom back in after pulling it out to fault test for shorts and continuity etc as well as putting on two new O2 sensor connectors.

Also the IAC is brand new as is the MAF, EGR, DPFE, TPS, O2 Sensors, Coolant Temp Sensor (both) and a host of other things..lol.

Kristy_Kai · 06-28-2012, 11:46 PM

Oh and forgot to say we did the air leak test the other day to which we did with a bottle of LP Gas... no change in idle at all so no leaks there... Have also visually and blown through all hoses etc including the vacuum hoses for the EGR and Fuel Dampener. Only thing we haven't done recently although it was done two months ago was check the fuel pressure at the test port. When we did it in May it was good though as the Fuel Pump and integrated FPR were replaced at that point also.

fast_dave · 06-28-2012, 11:54 PM

Kristy Kai,

I have to say, it sounds like you love your EX, and as we say in the States, you have all the bases covered ;-)

Amazing that your headache started with a clutch and slave replacement - you probably never thought you'd be this deep into your Ex's engine and engine control system.

Well, keep on keeping on - and if I think of any other ideas I'll chime in, I'm definitely scratching my head over this one, as it's a saga for sure ;-) I'd really like to hear it have a happy ending, and see some pics of the Ex flying over the sand dunes!

Kristy_Kai · 06-29-2012, 12:03 AM

Oh yes we very much do love our Ex...lol. She's be christened Dora II as Dora I was written off due to a very slow speed rollover whilst 4WDing on a particularly steep track.. We have spent thousands jacking her up with a Body Lift and putting nice 33's under her so it's very much a labour of love for us.

We spend a lot of time 4WDing as this is our way to get out and enjoy Oz so it's a bit of a pain in the backside that she uses so much gas and has no power... Worst part is she occassionally comes good and goes like a "Stung Cat" with great fuel economy but then she goes back to horrible again a few thousand Kms later..lol.

Thanks again for your help. We are taking it into Ford on Monday for Diagnosis and they sound lovely over there so here's hoping...lol

Kristy_Kai · 06-29-2012, 12:17 AM

Hi Bud and Dave,

Was just going to put some pictures up but can't for the life of us figure out how to do it...lol. Any idea's?

*briwayjones* · 06-29-2012, 02:14 PM

This is not going to really cause your problems but can contribute to the engine not running as good as it could, but what kind of spark plugs did you put in it?

Kristy_Kai · 06-30-2012, 07:39 AM

Hi Briway,

We've actually just put a brand new set of Bosch HR8DPX Platinum Plus plugs in gapped to 0.054. Took the time to speak to a Ford Certified Tech at the local dealership (where we are taking it on Monday for Diagnosis) and he confirmed these are the right resistance and temp plug for the vehicle but at this point I am willing to consider anything ...lol.

*briwayjones* · 06-30-2012, 04:16 PM

Ford 4.0L hate Bosch plugs. I would use Motorcraft plugs or Autolite plugs which is who made Ford Motorcraft plugs for a while if not now.

06-29-2012, 02:14 PM	#26
briwayjones Elite Explorer Sykesville, MD '00 XLS, '03 Sport Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,328 Vehicle Specs	This is not going to really cause your problems but can contribute to the engine not running as good as it could, but what kind of spark plugs did you put in it? __________________ 2000 XLS, 4DR, 4x4, OHV, Manual ; 2003 Sport, 2DR, 2WD, SOHC, Manual Mobil 1 & Amsoil Synthetic Fluids, 2WD switch Brown wire mod, KKM air intake, overhead console, lighted sunvisors, custom 2nd HU install, '03 Ranger Fog lights, Hurst short-shifter, 75MM MAF, BBK 66MM Throttle Body My 2000 Explorer

06-30-2012, 04:16 PM	#28
briwayjones Elite Explorer Sykesville, MD '00 XLS, '03 Sport Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,328 Vehicle Specs	Ford 4.0L hate Bosch plugs. I would use Motorcraft plugs or Autolite plugs which is who made Ford Motorcraft plugs for a while if not now. __________________ 2000 XLS, 4DR, 4x4, OHV, Manual ; 2003 Sport, 2DR, 2WD, SOHC, Manual Mobil 1 & Amsoil Synthetic Fluids, 2WD switch Brown wire mod, KKM air intake, overhead console, lighted sunvisors, custom 2nd HU install, '03 Ranger Fog lights, Hurst short-shifter, 75MM MAF, BBK 66MM Throttle Body My 2000 Explorer

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06-28-2012, 11:43 PM	#21
Kristy_Kai Wannabe Elite Explorer THORNTON, NSW Australia 1999 XL Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hi Dave, Thanks so much for your reply... And trust us any help is good help at this point...lol. Yes we have actually replaced those gasket's as it has had a full head rebuild and valve relap in March of this year and at that point we put a full kit from Rock Auto through it which even had the Throttle Body Gasket's etc in it. Both the Fuel Rail Bolts and the Intake Mani bolts have been torqued down to the correct manuf settings. Actually did that again last night as we had the intake off it to put the wiring loom back in after pulling it out to fault test for shorts and continuity etc as well as putting on two new O2 sensor connectors. Also the IAC is brand new as is the MAF, EGR, DPFE, TPS, O2 Sensors, Coolant Temp Sensor (both) and a host of other things..lol.

06-28-2012, 11:46 PM	#22
Kristy_Kai Wannabe Elite Explorer THORNTON, NSW Australia 1999 XL Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Oh and forgot to say we did the air leak test the other day to which we did with a bottle of LP Gas... no change in idle at all so no leaks there... Have also visually and blown through all hoses etc including the vacuum hoses for the EGR and Fuel Dampener. Only thing we haven't done recently although it was done two months ago was check the fuel pressure at the test port. When we did it in May it was good though as the Fuel Pump and integrated FPR were replaced at that point also.

06-28-2012, 11:54 PM	#23
fast_dave Wannabe Elite Explorer East Bay - Northern California '98 Spt 4.0 OHV 5 spd 4x4 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 116 Vehicle Specs	Kristy Kai, I have to say, it sounds like you love your EX, and as we say in the States, you have all the bases covered ;-) Amazing that your headache started with a clutch and slave replacement - you probably never thought you'd be this deep into your Ex's engine and engine control system. Well, keep on keeping on - and if I think of any other ideas I'll chime in, I'm definitely scratching my head over this one, as it's a saga for sure ;-) I'd really like to hear it have a happy ending, and see some pics of the Ex flying over the sand dunes!

06-29-2012, 12:03 AM	#24
Kristy_Kai Wannabe Elite Explorer THORNTON, NSW Australia 1999 XL Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Oh yes we very much do love our Ex...lol. She's be christened Dora II as Dora I was written off due to a very slow speed rollover whilst 4WDing on a particularly steep track.. We have spent thousands jacking her up with a Body Lift and putting nice 33's under her so it's very much a labour of love for us. We spend a lot of time 4WDing as this is our way to get out and enjoy Oz so it's a bit of a pain in the backside that she uses so much gas and has no power... Worst part is she occassionally comes good and goes like a "Stung Cat" with great fuel economy but then she goes back to horrible again a few thousand Kms later..lol. Thanks again for your help. We are taking it into Ford on Monday for Diagnosis and they sound lovely over there so here's hoping...lol

06-29-2012, 12:17 AM	#25
Kristy_Kai Wannabe Elite Explorer THORNTON, NSW Australia 1999 XL Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hi Bud and Dave, Was just going to put some pictures up but can't for the life of us figure out how to do it...lol. Any idea's?

06-30-2012, 07:39 AM	#27
Kristy_Kai Wannabe Elite Explorer THORNTON, NSW Australia 1999 XL Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hi Briway, We've actually just put a brand new set of Bosch HR8DPX Platinum Plus plugs in gapped to 0.054. Took the time to speak to a Ford Certified Tech at the local dealership (where we are taking it on Monday for Diagnosis) and he confirmed these are the right resistance and temp plug for the vehicle but at this point I am willing to consider anything ...lol.