2007 Explorer Rough Idle and hard start

[Nick-IA]

My explorer since the day I bought it a year ago has a very very touchy gas pedal for a few minutes after starting. I figured this was normal. Now all of the sudden its starting really hard and the idle kind of sputters and sounds like its going to die. I did a bunch of searching and read to clean the iac. After reading more I guess a 07 explorer does not have one. What are some things I can check out my self before taking it to a dealer? If links to pictures are available please provide them as I am a novice when it comes to under the hood.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Nick-IA]

After reading some more posts, This post sounds like what mine was doing since I bought it.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292264

The only thing I have done was install a k/n air filter but this was done months ago.

 

[waskly]

The only thing I have done was install a k/n air filter but this was done months ago.

check the maf k&n filter is a wet filter the moisture from it could be on the maf.

tho i think throttle body is the culprit.

 

[Nick-IA]

I found a thread on how to clean the maf. If its the throttle body is this something that I can clean or would I need to take it somewhere for repair/replace?

 

[waskly]

I found a thread on how to clean the maf. If its the throttle body is this something that I can clean or would I need to take it somewhere for repair/replace?

do you have a wrench light on? the throttle body you buy as an assembly and its 4 bolts that hold it on. pretty simple.

 

[Nick-IA]

No I dont have any lights on. So is this something I should take off and clean up or does it just usually need replacing?

by the way thanks for your replies!

 

[waskly]

No I dont have any lights on. So is this something I should take off and clean up or does it just usually need replacing?

by the way thanks for your replies!

normally replacing it uses 2 tps signals and a stepper motor to control the butterfly.

 

[NCcarguy]

You can clean it....a few plugs, 4 bolts and it's off. May be a good time to replace the "throttle position sensor" too, although you need to have some experience with removing threadlocked screws....Then get some toothpicks, and throttle body cleaner and get rid of all the black gunk inside it....took me about 30 minutes to remove it, clean it and put it back on.

 

[ahent]

I had a rough idle after start, there ended up being a TSB on the issue (not sure what one I didn't ask) dealer replaced Throttle body (about 400 after labor and taxes) and I am all good now.