James Lloyd
New Member
- Joined
- June 26, 2017
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- New Mexico
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer Sport
I inherited this Explorer from my late father. The check engine light was on all the time, I asked him about it to which he said "it's nothing, runs fine, don't worry about it". He drove it for years that way. When I started driving it the check engine light made me crazy so I started looking for the cause. Scanned codes said vacuum leak at manifold, lean bank 1 and 2. I found the egr valve was melted as were the two hoses. Replaced, codes wiped, drove a few days, popped the CEL again. Code said maf sensor. cleaned it, same code so I replaced it. A few days later another code, this time vacuum leak at manifold. I checked for leaks with starting fluid, no idle change. Finally found a vacuum leak under the air-box, a plastic line crack. fixed it, drove it, another code! Fuel pressure low. I borrowed a tester and sure enough the fuel pump was weak. Pulled the tank, replaced the whole assy. plus the fuel filter, cleared it, drove it, damn, the idle was low, engine was dying with the A/C on. Replaced the ICV, problem solved. Drove it, on comes the CEL again! Codes lean bank 1 and lean bank 2. Causes listed cover everything I have already replaced except O2 sensors and manifold gaskets. I doubt it's O2 sensors (at least $200. for all )
Now I'm faced with actually replacing those dreaded manifold gaskets, spent quite a lot chasing these problems already.
Sometime during all this my 4wd/2wd warning light started flashing 6 times every 30 seconds or so. The 4wd system is still working but I haven't found the reason, it's making me crazy!
So, as I'm getting around to doing the gaskets the battery goes dead. I charge it, test it and test the alternator, both show good. Went over to A.Z. and had them test it, said all good but since the battery is 4 year old and 2 years out of warranty I bought a new one, the most expensive one with the 5 year warranty, $160 later I drove it home, noticed the battery light on the dash is flickering and the battery gauge falling towards the peg.
This as of Friday night, I'm now wondering what to do. The dealer will most likely charge more than I can afford but short of parking it I'm running out of options and patience. I've done about everything I can do at home except the manifold gaskets but the electrical problems are a can of worms.
I've read a lot of the forum answers. I have spent the time, spent the money, replaced the parts and still have the same problem and now more problems. What now?
Now I'm faced with actually replacing those dreaded manifold gaskets, spent quite a lot chasing these problems already.
Sometime during all this my 4wd/2wd warning light started flashing 6 times every 30 seconds or so. The 4wd system is still working but I haven't found the reason, it's making me crazy!
So, as I'm getting around to doing the gaskets the battery goes dead. I charge it, test it and test the alternator, both show good. Went over to A.Z. and had them test it, said all good but since the battery is 4 year old and 2 years out of warranty I bought a new one, the most expensive one with the 5 year warranty, $160 later I drove it home, noticed the battery light on the dash is flickering and the battery gauge falling towards the peg.
This as of Friday night, I'm now wondering what to do. The dealer will most likely charge more than I can afford but short of parking it I'm running out of options and patience. I've done about everything I can do at home except the manifold gaskets but the electrical problems are a can of worms.
I've read a lot of the forum answers. I have spent the time, spent the money, replaced the parts and still have the same problem and now more problems. What now?