Metalface
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- December 25, 2022
- Messages
- 176
- Reaction score
- 109
- City, State
- East Coast US
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1997 Explorer XLT
Hey,
Always had a misfire at idle and on startup. Just a tiny one. Like tiny tiny. Have replaced other parts (intake manifold gasket, coil, MAF, bla bla bla.. spark plugs... you know.. everything that would lead to that ((was not trying to fix that in particular btw!)))
It is so minimal it doesn't even trigger a code. 97 XLT V6 SOHC. But it's totally there though lol no denying that and it shows up on live data, just nothing enough to actually trigger a misfire code. It is especially noticeable on first startup especially cold, and after driving idling for a minute or two (like sitting in a parking lot.)
Got it at around 150k now at 220k, always had the small misfire, never got worse never went away though either.
As far as I know stock engine but it's at 220K and no timing chain noise so something tells me someone before me did the guides. (woo) depending on what you consider stock, replacement guides/upgraded guides if those even exist, vs original.
No CEL. Everything is within spec to not trigger check engine.
In everyone else's experience, is this something that may be something to look out for and pay attention to? Does it mean something bigger? Been bugging me for a long time. But it's been such a long time and it hasn't gotten worse, don't really know how to feel about it. I have always changed oil ~3,000 miles (high mileage synthetic w/ additives reputable brands only obviously) just to be on the safe side. Doesn't appear to be sludgy to me. That's really all I got.
Yes, ECU was unplugged recently and checked for debris or bent pins, not a problem there either!
Kind of really want to do a seafoam and flush even though I'm also one of those people that like to leave it all where it is. I just don't like to imagine there's some hidden sludge or buildup in there taking miles off the (admittedly very replaceable...) engine.
I do wonder about:
Injectors
Spark plug wires
... not much else
I do intend to be changing these soon. If you tell me to change these, I will not be mad, because I think I probably would too!
Any suggestions? Any *warnings?* lol Thanks, appreciate everyone and your time
Edit: it's easy to forget: I do not have stock cats, but I do have cats. They're supposed to be "within" whatever amount of filtration/cleanup they're supposed to provide, and they do indeed keep the CEL off. Passed smog test no probs. No, not running lean. That is one thing actually I forgot about. I feel like at this point lots of people have had to replace cats by this point.. But not sure, not enough experience on that end.
Pics are her 1st polish after first bought (for $800 for a reason... lol.. it was filthy like beyond filthy inside..)
and then last week after most recent maintenance detail after replacing all of the suspension components, bigger shackles, torsion adjustment (I really wouldn't call it a lift.. it was sitting lower than supposed stock height lol.) and 31"s. Among much TLC and restoration!
Always had a misfire at idle and on startup. Just a tiny one. Like tiny tiny. Have replaced other parts (intake manifold gasket, coil, MAF, bla bla bla.. spark plugs... you know.. everything that would lead to that ((was not trying to fix that in particular btw!)))
It is so minimal it doesn't even trigger a code. 97 XLT V6 SOHC. But it's totally there though lol no denying that and it shows up on live data, just nothing enough to actually trigger a misfire code. It is especially noticeable on first startup especially cold, and after driving idling for a minute or two (like sitting in a parking lot.)
Got it at around 150k now at 220k, always had the small misfire, never got worse never went away though either.
As far as I know stock engine but it's at 220K and no timing chain noise so something tells me someone before me did the guides. (woo) depending on what you consider stock, replacement guides/upgraded guides if those even exist, vs original.
No CEL. Everything is within spec to not trigger check engine.
In everyone else's experience, is this something that may be something to look out for and pay attention to? Does it mean something bigger? Been bugging me for a long time. But it's been such a long time and it hasn't gotten worse, don't really know how to feel about it. I have always changed oil ~3,000 miles (high mileage synthetic w/ additives reputable brands only obviously) just to be on the safe side. Doesn't appear to be sludgy to me. That's really all I got.
Yes, ECU was unplugged recently and checked for debris or bent pins, not a problem there either!
Kind of really want to do a seafoam and flush even though I'm also one of those people that like to leave it all where it is. I just don't like to imagine there's some hidden sludge or buildup in there taking miles off the (admittedly very replaceable...) engine.
I do wonder about:
Injectors
Spark plug wires
... not much else
I do intend to be changing these soon. If you tell me to change these, I will not be mad, because I think I probably would too!
Any suggestions? Any *warnings?* lol Thanks, appreciate everyone and your time
Edit: it's easy to forget: I do not have stock cats, but I do have cats. They're supposed to be "within" whatever amount of filtration/cleanup they're supposed to provide, and they do indeed keep the CEL off. Passed smog test no probs. No, not running lean. That is one thing actually I forgot about. I feel like at this point lots of people have had to replace cats by this point.. But not sure, not enough experience on that end.
Pics are her 1st polish after first bought (for $800 for a reason... lol.. it was filthy like beyond filthy inside..)
and then last week after most recent maintenance detail after replacing all of the suspension components, bigger shackles, torsion adjustment (I really wouldn't call it a lift.. it was sitting lower than supposed stock height lol.) and 31"s. Among much TLC and restoration!
To be fair the misfire wasn't too wild then either though, it was cracked but definitely still firing somehow.
