Fenrir
Member
- Joined
- April 15, 2016
- Messages
- 46
- Reaction score
- 30
- City, State
- Colorado
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Ford Explorer Sport
Holy ****, like this is legitimately more information than I've gotten out of two professional mechanics and a hand full of back yard head scratchers.@Fenrir
For 16 years the procedure I follow is to clear the ECU after you replaced every major component (IAC & EGR) and also after you cleaned your MAF (or replace spark plugs, plug wires, coil, etc).
To clarify, the computer will do what it can, within it's parameters, to keep the motor running as parts fail, wear out, and fail.
The reason you clear it's "learned memory" is to re-establish your computer back to the factory baseline parameters.
No doubt now that I've written this, there will be a string of posters claiming "that's no necessary" or "I never do that".
I'm surprised that this hasn't been brought up earlier BUT neither have the basic questions I've asked - so you decide.
NOTE: You will lose your currently stored CEL CODES by disconnecting the battery.
SO, you could always wait to disconnect the battery, get your scanner and get your current codes, WRITE THEM DOWN.
Then disconnect the battery overnight, drive around your neighborhood, and then record what codes come up.
Moving on, all that said, at 181,000 Miles, your (3) upper intake rubber gaskets are TOAST - I guarantee it.
LINK TO EXPLORER FORUM WRITE UP:
How to replace upper intake manifold gaskets
I had to replace my upper intake manifold gaskets to fix a vacuum leak that was giving me two engine error codes (P0171 Bank 1 lean and P0174 Bank 2 lean). I have a 2000 Ranger with a 4.0L OHV V6 with the plastic upper intake manifold. I was able to diagnose it as a vacuum leak with help from...www.explorerforum.com
Bottom of Upper Intake Plenium
View attachment 343014
OLD GASKET
View attachment 343015
New Gasket
View attachment 343016
I'll wait until I get the tool and grab any stored codes before I disconnect the battery, absolutely required or not the logic is perfectly sound and it's certainly not going to hurt anything once I have any stored codes pulled, the potential for answers or improvement can't be discounted when you're chasing ghosts, whether it's in something as simple as a blender or something as complex as a motor.
I can definitely get to those gaskets with my current tools, might have to get a little creative with improper use of a pair of vise grips, or finally give up and buy new sockets (depending on my patience that day lol) but it's well within my ability to get into.
Seriously considering going down to the parts store after I drop my kid at school tomorrow morning and grabbing the gaskets just for the sake of doing SOMETHING since I hate sitting on my hands.