03 Explorer hesitating and sluggish

[grabill68]

Hello I have an 2003 Explorer V6. When I lightly push the gas pedal either from a stop or while maintaining speed it hesitates and generally acts sluggish. It happens while it is hot or cold, raining or not. While stopped it idles fine but when I pull out and hit the gas a little it acts like it doesn't want to go. Or going lets say 35 thru town while I am maintaing that speed, not pushing down on the pedal very much, it shakes slightly and is sluggish. I have had a tuneup ( 6 months ago) fuel filter changed, fuel injectors cleaned, IAC valve cleaned and throttle body cleaned. All to no avail. I also had the codes checked at Auto Zone last week and it wasn't giving any codes. Any ideas what could be causing this?

 

[grabill68]

It is a 4.0 105,000 miles 4WD. This problem is more prevailant in the morning when I pull out of my driveway but does happen at different times. Could it be a coil pack, intake manifold gasket? Fuel pump relay? I am hoping someone has an idea. I really don't want to take this to a dealership and have them try and figure it out, all the while charging me. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[stratomaster]

I had similar symptoms except mine was throwing a lean condition in bank 2 code. I replaced the intake manifold gasketing, cleaned the MAF wire w/ electronic contact cleaner wash, made sure my air filter was good, cleaned the throttle body butterfly with denatured alcohol and an acid brush (gently, so as not to damage the finish), tightened the connections to the airbox and throttle body, added a cable tie on the throttle cable on the near side of the gas pedal, and ran 2 cans of Seafoam (1 in the gas tank and 1 through the PCV hose in 2 separate half-can doses). I then disconnected the battery over night to reset the computer/engine codes.

All of these measures combined have eliminated the sluggish feel of the truck, eliminated the shaking at low speed/low gear, and best of all the codes have not come back. Total cost was about $50 and took about 2 hours to do (except the Seafoam in the gas tank, that happened over the course of a week or so).

 

[grabill68]

Took into the garage today. Cleaned MAF sensor, checked all wires and voltage. Hooked up reader but didn't show anything, even while driving the O2 sensors are ok. My mechanic thinks I need a transmission flush. He is gonna add Smart Blend Transmission Protector Fluid to the mix when I get it flushed. After that I don't where I'll turn if that doesn't do it.

 

[derocheda]

I have an 03 V6 explorer that had similar issues, When through Ford for the IAC Valve Replacement, Fuel Injectors cleaned, Seafoam, Changed out hoses. It turned out to be the PCV Valve. Once I changed that it ran like a champ

 

[grabill68]

Is the PCV valve a hard thing to change out?

 

[derocheda]

It's a little hard to get to. But once you get your hand back there it is pretty easy to remove. it is located behind the drivers side Valve cover. Email me at david.a.deroche@navy.mil and I will email you back a blown up picture of its location