4.0 SOHC acceleration issues

[Goofyexponent]

Ok, this thing weighs in at like 3800 pounds, has 205 horsepower and 240 ft. lbs. of torque. It should be able to burn the back tires clean off the rims and do a 0 - 60 in 8 - 9 seconds.

Why is it my 2001 explorer sport does this when I try and accelerate?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UClQMhEAtfU

I know I have a problem, and I know I need to spend money to fix it. I am laid off right now (and the government is fighting with me on whether to give me EI benefits, even though I paid into them for years and years) and money is getting TIGHT!

What would you start with? And why?

 

[my98nnj]

That's a pretty serious misfire. Does it idle smooth?
When was the last tune up done?

 

[blueka]

I've got one that does that only when it's cold...

I've just put new upper/lower intake gaskets on it....

Could be a whole list of things, plugs, wires, IAC, MAF, 02 sensors, CATS, ....


Si

 

[Goofyexponent]

It idles like a swiss clock, and pulls HARD if I only give it about 1/2 throttle. I just changed the oil (which looked like straight crude) and am goign to change the plugs out.

I thought about pulling them and looking to see what they are like but if I break one, I might as well have a new one to put back in. This way I can say it's done with new wires.

I hope it's nothing too serious, or I am taking it back to the guy I got it from and parking it in a very dark spot if you know what I mean.

He took me for a ride on this truck!

 

[boominXplorer]

Sounds like detonation in vid. I would have to say weak fuel pump / clogged fuel filter. I doubt its just a fuel filter. Pull the check engine light codes and if you have a lean code then fuel is your issue.

 

[swshawaii]

Agree. Check for trouble codes, inspect the plugs and the PCV elbow.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314670

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, here's a cold start video showing how it fires up and idles fine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR6nQUyp2YE

But I pulled the fuel filter and found THIS!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3qoFxZQD8U

I think this might fix the issues I had with the codes I pulled this morning. P0171 and P0174 (lean on banks 1 & 2)

My wife is picking up my new fuel filter on her way home as well as some fuses that were blown due to some bad wiring on behalf of the previous owner.

I have a hole in the top of the fuel tank, so I am going to be replacing that ASAP (meaning as soon as my plow brackets come in so I can make some extra $$ on the side) and that should seal my fuel system up.

 

[Goofyexponent]

OH!! I really do appriciate all the help you guys are giving me. I am pretty handy around cars, but my expertise is around the older BIG diesel engines.

Like the 855 cummins, 3406 cat, 7.3 mechanical IDI International....etc. And around ht eold carbed stuff from the early 80's and back.

I got to knuckle down and learn more about how these new emissions systems work and what grief they cause.

 

[swshawaii]

But I pulled the fuel filter and found THIS!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3qoFxZQD8U

I think this might fix the issues I had with the codes I pulled this morning. P0171 and P0174 (lean on banks 1 & 2)

That's typically what comes out of an old fuel filter.
p0171/174 are commonly caused by the PCV elbow.

REPEAT- CLICK ON THIS LINK AND PHYSICALLY CHECK:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314670

 

[Goofyexponent]

That's typically what comes out of an old fuel filter.
p0171/174 are commonly caused by the PCV elbow.

REPEAT- CLICK ON THIS LINK AND PHYSICALLY CHECK:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314670

That's my next adventure, checking the PCV hose.

But I just lost my workspace for the day. The landlords Girlfriend wanted to park her car in the garage I was using, so it don't get full of snow.

I got a 4.2 V6 in a 1999 F150 onit's way here RIGHT NOW with the same codes being displayed as my Explorer.

I am just going to but one of those hose assemblies and install it anyways. I mean if I check it and it's good, how long will it last as it's 12 years old now. And I am going to put a set of plugs and wires on it for good measure....because god knows when they were changed.

I installed the new fuel filter and it starts WAY better. No hesitation like before. It seems to have a LOT more pep, but like you say there is another underlying issue....that PCV elbow.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, if FedEx ever shows up with my new plow mounts, I plan on pulling the explorer in the heated shop today and installing the brackets.

While it's in there I plan on pulling that hose off and inspecting it. I have a special type of adhesive tape that I can use to bandage it up until I can get the part ordered from Ford this week. I hope I am not in for an intake gasket job. I can do it myself, but the timing of this isn't going to be good with the snow flying and the truck being needed to clear snow!

 

[joe doe]

those codes are thrown when you need new intake gaskets .usually its just the upper plenum orings(round rubber oring gaskets )but most guys just replace everything while they are at it .upper and lower intake gaskets .
provided your pvc elbow and hose isnt leaking this is more n likely your problem .we all been there (most of us anyway)

good luck

just do a search here for those codes and you will see.

 

[Goofyexponent]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3Wx3w6C5Q

No vaccum leaks. I checked personally. The guy I had look at it before must have been drinking when he said my intake gaskets were gone.

So now what?! I am starting to get fed up with this truck. I want it foxed, and fixed right.

What would you be looking at now?

It idles smooth, has LOTS of power at low and mid throttle applications, but when you floor it it detonates and hacks and coughs.

P0171 and P0174 are the ONLY codes present.

 

[Goofyexponent]

ALSO!!! Before I get ahead of myself, I checked the TPS for voltage. It's within spec at idle and WOT, and also displays a clean even sweep of voltage form idle to WOT...no spikes or dead spots.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Lean condition procedure

Lean condition procedure

 

[Goofyexponent]

Thank you!

I replaced the intake gaskets today. $30 and about an hour and a half of my time. I vaccuumed out all around the intake and blew what the vaccuum couldn't suck by itself out with the air hose.

I POSITIVELY checked the PCV hose, and it is not leaking at all. So I put the truck back together, and cleared the codes. It's still running lean, with the same codes coming back.

I also bought new spark plugs as the old ones looks to be in there a while. I was right! They were gapped at like 70 - 95 thousandths. I gapped the new ones at 54 thousandths and reinstalled them.

I also found out the wires were ont here so long, the boots were rotted out, so it's getting a enw set of wires to boot.

I have yet to rule out the MAF and fuel pressure. Everything behind the air filter is sealed up 100%.

But it does have a little more power again since changing the fuel filter.

What I have done so far as a recap.

Changed fuel filter
Verified TPS voltage and setting
Intake gaskets
Verified no intake/vaccuum leaks
Replaced plugs and wires.

I will install the new plugs and wires when my wife gets home so I can go get the new parts, clear the codes and try again. I will also check the MAF voltage with some help and mulitmeter.

If those all check out and it still throws the lean codes, it's got to be fuel related.

Pressure regulator, pump, etc. If it is the pump, I might as well put a new tank on it, the one that is on it now has a hole int he top which is why my evap monitor is displaying a problem when I scan it.

I do not think that the O2 seonsors are the problem as they ar enot showing up on the scan, but if the fuel checks out I am going to replace them as well.

I love the way this truck gets around, and the way it works (just puttinga round of course, as anything over 1/2 throttle causes detonation). I want to get it to the point where it works as good as my car does and it's dependable. I'd hate to get rid of it!

 

[koda2000]

did you happen to do a compression test while you had the plugs out?

 

[Goofyexponent]

did you happen to do a compression test while you had the plugs out?

I thought about it but I didn't see the need for it. The engine idles too smooth and the power is too smooth when driving for one or more holes to be low on compression.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AYy3EXe3MaM&feature=m-ch-fea

Something to look at. The plugs are showing lean indications big time.

Once I get the new plug wires on and clear the codes again I'm going to start removing vacuum accessories one by one until I am 100% sure I double checked vacuum leaks. Then I will verify the MAF signals.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Ok. New intake gaskets were installed a couple days ago. The MAF checks out, the TPS checks out, there are no vacuum leaks (that I can find with a torch) and it's got a new fuel filter.

The engine is like night and day compared to when I first got it, but it's still not 100%

I am still showing a lean code for both banks, but it's not detonating and sputtering anymore.

I am goign to try and pick up a fuel pressure test kit today while I am out getting new plow markers for the ends of my blade.

I appriciate all the input, but I'm not out of the frying pan yet!

 

[Goofyexponent]

Ok, I know this is a couple months old, but here's the situation.

I parked the truck about 3 days after my last post. I let it sit in the yard, as I didn't need to drive it.

But I bought a 2001 Regal GS and the engine light was on in it. The scanner I was using was a cheap POS and didn't go into much detail.

So I bought a MUCH more intricate scanner and found the problem in my Buick.

Then today I thought I'd scan the Ford.

The other scanner just said lean on banks 1 and 2....that was it.

THIS scanner, found out that I had a HUGE EVAP leak, suggested the fuel tank cover was not tight (although it was) with another code and also came up with the two banks running lean. 4 codes when the other scanner only found 2 codes.

I even left the codes in the computer and scanned it with the cheap scanner and it didn't come up with anymore than banks lean 1 and 2.

So I have determined that the hole in the fuel tank is my problem. It must be right in the EVAP system where it goes to the tank. I have to drain it and have a look, but a new tank and lines will cure it.