1996 explorer struggles at idle almost cuts out

[EmmaD]

EC driver here is some information for you to try. What I did is found a leak going 3/4 the way around the egr pipe that goes into the upper black casing. I went to our local napa store and purchased some Tech Steel it is steel reinforced epoxy putty. While the engine was running or trying to..lol I applied it to the pipe where the two meet. If you put you finger there you can feel it suck your finger in. I kept pushing up and going around till I didnt feel any suction. I can now start the truck and let it run and it does not cut out I do however have a bit of a howl and small hesitations so that must mean some but very little is getting out. That is my theory on the whole thing, Please someone correct me if I am wrong. I have spent 4 days cleaning the MAF, replaced the ACV and sprayed the whole engine with intake spray and it has finally come down to this. The complete repair would be too expensive but I think this might be a cheap solution and a cheaper one since th epoxy cost me $5.00.

 

[G-96XLT]

I'm confused, how did it go from the ACV to the finding a hole. I'm doing this job now and the EGR tube is not that hard to get off.

 

[EmmaD]

Well it is not a hole per say it is where the two join on the intake ( I think that is what it is called). Everyone was telling me it was the acv so thats why I changed it I have no clue everything I was doing I was winging it. I heard that in order to replace that gasket you have to take the intake off and everything around it has to come off. if I were to do that I would get so lost I wouldnt know what to put back together. haha you should have someone record it and put on youtube. If I see someone do It I may be able too.

 

[EmmaD]

I will post a picture later of what it looks like now with all the putty (backyard mech I am..lol)

 

[G-96XLT]

I'm dying to see this picture because I have no idea what you're talking about. Anyway I'm doing this job now. It is not that hard.

 

[EmmaD]

It was the EGR to PLenum gasket which after all this is just a simple oring. GRrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[EmmaD]

The problem is fixed I guess the oring that is on the ERG hose to the plenum was installed incorrectly at some time and it was pinched and almost sucked into the intake. Two hours later and a new oring the truck runs great. but not over yet as they were putting everything together some part attached to 4 heater hoses must of got damaged and when the vacuum comes on it lift a metal arm and coolant come out the metal arm. What is that piece called so I can not replace it as well as what does it do? Can I just bypass that and just get pipe and tie in to the proper hoses?

 

[gtyates]

If the piece you are talking about is on the passenger side of the engine compartment near the blower motor housing is the heater control valve. It is a very inexpensive part to fix.

 

[EmmaD]

1996 Gas guzzling Exploder

I had some vacuum issues with my exploder and I think we have fixed the problem. The gasket from the EGR pipe to the plenum had fallen apart and almost got sucked into the intake. The car struggled when you were at a stop but since that got replaced it sounds and runs like a charm. When I purchased this from the previous owner she said it chuggs gas but I thought that problem would have been solved once we found the vacuum leak and repaced the gasket. We filled up 3/4 tank today and after 45 miles( 60km) it was down to 1/2 a tank. I am used to cars does this sound right? The following has been done to the truck

1- The fuel filter has been changed twice in 1 month
2- The MAFS has been taken out and cleaned
3- The air filter has been changed
4- The Idle control valve has been clean

Most of these were done when we were trying to find out what the idleing issue was.

After the car reached about the 30 mile/40km mark the check engine light comes on and I have to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes for it to go off. i have had to do this before because I can't stand to see the light it worries me..lol again if you are outside it runs great you wouldn't think anything was wrong.

I am sure the previous owner change the o2 sensors but can't be sure I just thought they mentioned it in conversation when I looked at the truck. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them as for now I have to do remove the engine light.

 

[dwighthuth]

I have the same problem. I noticed that during the winter that exhaust was coming from the mid-section of the vehicle which exhaust should not be coming from. My Ford also struggles to keep running at traffic lights.

Even though Larry told me to wrap one of Aunt Hildie's brand new Motel 8 towel's around the flange and duct tape it, I think I will just buy a new exhaust for it.