1997 Explorer hard start and sluggish

[mitchmc_13]

Hey I am new to the forum here and have a 1997 Explorer XLT with the 4.0 L engine in it. I am having a problem with hard starting and with it being extremely sluggish and not having half the power it should. The hard start seems to only happen if i've been driving, or idles in the driveway enough to warm up just a bit or all the way, then if it sits for twenty mins or so and I go to start it up, it has to turn over for 5-10 seconds with me pushing the gas slightly during this time for it to start. Once it is started, the idle is kind of rough, nothing too too bad. The real bad part is when driving around and I put the pedal to the floor, it does not kick back like it should and definately does not have the power it should. It seems like the throttle response is there, but does not kick back and has no power. So far I've changed the DPFE sensor and MAF sensor and cleaned the IAC valve, and the guy I bought it from says it has a new fuel pump, distributor cap, plugs and wires, but who knows how new they actually are. I cannot find out what is wrong with this thing and any help is appreciated! Oh and it did have a EGR insufficient flow code, which was a hose cracked, a IAC underspeed error, one o2 sensor was reading lean and a misfire on cylinder 3 and 5 when I bought it, but since I've changed those things and cleaned the IAC valve and cleared them, they have not came back.

Just an update I just tried unplugging the iac valve while the engine was idleing and nothing happened. Tried it multiple times and only once did it kill the engine. Also noticed when I rev the engine aggressively sometimes the intake tube will collapse in on itself and not let the engine rev any higher, essentially it takes away all the power, which i'm guessing is part of my problem when its under load in normal driving conditions, i'm assuming this is killing all my power? Anyone with any help appreciated!

 

[kindred4x]

That guy doesnt know what he is talking about. The explorer doesnt have a distributor. If the intake tube is collapsing when the engine needs air i would check for any obstructions in the air tube and filter, and also in the fender where the stock filter receives its fresh air

 

[mitchmc_13]

sorry what I meant by distributor cap, which is what he called it, is the cap on the coilpack. I think the cap can just be replaced? or does the whole coilpack get replaced? I dunno I havent really looked at that part of the engine too hard. I have checked for blockage and couldnt find any, and it only happens somtimes. I also cleaned the filter, which isnt too dirty. Will I need a new IAC valve with what I described above?

 

[my98nnj]

Also noticed when I rev the engine aggressively sometimes the intake tube will collapse in on itself and not let the engine rev any higher, essentially it takes away all the power,

This is a huge yet very simple problem to fix and should be a priority.