4.0l Engine loss of power. Garage has no idea.

[UK 4.0 Explorer]

Hi, I have searched nearly everywhere for an answer with no success and hope that there is an expert on here with the simplest of answers.... here goes:
1999 UK Spec 4.0 AUTO (face lift north face model).
35000 miles.... only just run in! (genuine miles, family have had the car since new).
Was running perfectly, until 6 weeks ago when it just died pulling off the motorway at about 70mph.
Engine management light came on.
The engine starts as sweet as new, revs reluctantly, but you can get it up to 5000 if you do it a bit at a time. it pops and bangs at 5000 but only a misfire, nothing too noisy.
Put it in gear.... push throttle.... dead.
Put it in gear, ease throttle about 1% and it will sneak upto about 10mph. if you over throttle it, it will die, no chance of easing off and recovering.

Sort of seems to run on 3 cylinders (one side) as its revved with no power at all once in gear.
Local Garage (non ford) thought Catalytic converter had colapsed choking half the engine.... tried removing cat it and its not that.

3 engine codes....
p0743 TCC system electrical failure,
p0750 Shift solonoid no1 failure and
p1747 EPC solonoid short circuit.
All reset.

Garage has had the car 6 weeks now and is about sick of it. Im stuck too.

There is also an air suckin noise as though the air pipe has a hole in or the air intake is partially blocked.... the garage has smoke tested the inlet system and they say its fine no holes, no blockage.
Local garage is about to drop back to basics and try coil, leads, spark plugs next... but as it died like hitting a switch i cant see it being those. It runs so well at tick over that you wouldnt know it had a fault!
Please help. Garage dont even consider the only idea i have found online,by typing "explorer loss power air suction noise" into goocle then hitting page 176 or something like that..... the rear timing cassette lose. They suspect it could be a gear box problem!
They also think im mad.
ANY ideas would be welcomed. and i am very sorry if this has been answered, but i have looked... for 6 weeks.
Sorry that this is posted in UK ofrum as well, but im really stuck, hence the payment to become elite. Hope someone can help.

 

[ahodges]

First think that comes to mind is a bad Mass Air Flow sensor giving bad readings to the computer. I can be tested by unpluging it, this will make the computer reset to default settings. If that helps then thats the problem.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Possible causes for low power

In six weeks a competent shop should have performed a compression test, checked the intake path, read the spark plugs, checked the fuel pressure, checked the ignition spark, checked the fuel injectors, scanned the ignition timing, fuel trims, TPS output and MAF sensor output.

The following list identifies possible causes for low power:

Blocked air filter/intake tube

MAF sensor: Clean with MAF sensor cleaner, perform MAF Sensor Test Procedure

TPS: perform TPS Test Procedure

Faulty ignition

Low fuel pressure: perform Fuel pressure test procedure, replace fuel filter

Camshaft position sensor

Crankshaft position sensor

Low compression

With only 35,000 miles it is unlikely that the catalytic converter or timing chains have failed. Low compression will give a good indication about the timing chains. There could be an EGR problem but that usually results in PCM reported diagnostic trouble codes.

 

[ranger7ltr]

Aren't these codes...

transmission codes?

3 engine codes....
p0743 TCC system electrical failure,
p0750 Shift solonoid no1 failure and
p1747 EPC solonoid short circuit.


Somehow I would concentrate on the transmission... I wonder if the torque convertor clutch is engaging as soon as you put it in gear?Since these are related to the solenoids in the valvebody I would look at the connector at the tranny to make sure it is proper.. Then perhaps see if the solenoids themselves are working...

BTW, what does the tranny fluid look like and when was it last serviced?

 

[fast_dave]

UK 4.0 -

Question: Is your 4.0 an OHV or SHOC Engine?

 

[fast_dave]

UK 4.0 Explorer -

OK - I re-read your post.

You have a SHOC Engine that was RUNNING and then SUDDENLY went south.....

OK - Those SOHC engines are notorious for having a number of plastic cassette timing chain tensioners that get brittle with AGE (not mileage dependent). So although your X has low miles - the plastic parts, due to AGE, get brittle.

The plastic chain tensioner cassettes have a tendency to self destruct w/o warning, thrrowing off the camshaft/engine timing. Usually, after one explodes, you find white plastic bits in the bottom of the oil pan (or the oil that has been drained from the pan).

I'd have a mechanic that is competant with the nuances of that particular engine check out the plastic cassette tensioners.

Report back and HTH!
fast_dave

 

[janolsson]

Pretty much all UK ex's are SOHC

 

[fast_dave]

Hi Jan -

I'm not a mind reader - just a shade tree mechanic! ;-)

 

[janolsson]

Hey fast_dave
sorry if my post sounded abrupt. I just posted it as an fyi as here we didn't get the ex til 97 and didn't have any options on the engine. I posted as over there you guys would not necessarily know that and the OP may not have realised this also and it is important for anyone like yourself looking to help to know the engine type so you can offer relevant opinions. You are correct about the known chain issues and here in the uk we didn't get the TSB so a high proportion of our ex's have died. I myself have been going thro the aftermath of guide failure coupled with a mech that didn't really know what he was taking on (and a little of my own incompetence). On a personal note i love the fact that guys like you are willing to chuck in your 2 cents so appologies if i came across as an ass

 

[k-pendow]

Has anyone checked the exhaust backpressure, sounds like it could be a plugged up catalyst on one bank. There is a gauge that can be put in place of the upstream o2 sensor and should never be above 3 psi.

 

[madbrad104]

you have tranny problems bro most likely the torque converter took a crap check all fuses and relays for transmission and transfer case cheap easy fixes if all fuses are good you could have internal problems like the torque converter or a sensor out then you have bigger problems
let us know how your progressing
madbrad

 

[UK 4.0 Explorer]

Partial Update....
Garage is saving me money by only doing what i ask them to do, hence the time its taking them. I could send it to a ford garage but instant cost of £150 for the tow in!
Next week its being towed to a Gear box specialist, this week its having the EGR bypassed to see if that sorts it out.
Thanks for all your suggestions, but as you can see from the variety of ideas, it could still be one of 10 major problems or 1 simple sensor... but which one.
It definately doesnt rattle so the rear cam cassette / assembly is no longer suspected.
If its not sorted in 4 weeks its going to get scrapped.... the best conditioned car ever to be scrapped.

 

[colintrax]

Have they checked the compression, you say it was revving in nuetrel, but that dosen't mean much, as anything that will start will rev without a load. Before you go to crazy looking for something, check the compression and timing.
Good luck.

 

[turnbulltj]

Hi Chap,
Speak to Justin at Explorer Parts UK 07921 823310 he is in Newport, South Wales, and I guarantee all your problems will be sorted.
You could not wish to deal with a more competent, pleasant chap when it comes to Explorers.
I travel from The Midlands 250 miles round trip, when ever I need anything doing to me Explorer. I will never let anyone else touch it. Even down to basic servicing.
Trust me you will not go wrong with this guy.
Best of luck, Trev

 

[madbrad104]

p1747 EPC solonoid short circuit

have you yet to check the transmission and the wiring for it ? change your speed sensor as that regulates to the ecm your engine firing and fuel thus causing your misfires and dying truck
your dianogistic codes are all tranny related if you think its the engine your wasting your money with these shops
look the codes up online again
i'm not trying to be a butthead but i want you to get your truck going !

 

[UK 4.0 Explorer]

Well.... it went to a gearbox specialist, and apparently it was a spring and a solenoid in the auto gearbox. I can pick it up tomorrow. Wasnt cheap and took 7 weeks, but if i had let the mechanic at the garage go with the reported transmission codes it would have been half the price. Thanks for all the advice. as you can tell from the diffenecnt options it was never going to be obvious... apart from the obvious ford codes... why the hell would a gearbox cause an engine to run badly in neutral?
And to those who said transmision, maybe I should have listened sooner. Sorry. x

 

[domingo86]

hi im new to this site and mi truck is doing almost the same it start every time but when you give a little gas it die i checked fuel and it was good, pluged the compter and the code on the top is P1747 wich is the epc solenoid,short circuit, and the fuse keeps blowing up, i change the epc soleniod and keeps doing the same where could theshort ciruit bee?
thanks

 

[Jeremy71655]

Ok, Im not trying to rip this thread, but im not an elite and cant post a new one, so please bear with me. I have searched just about every thread on this subject and have replaced just about every part that anyone has suggested to replace to fix the issue. For some reason, the dang thing is still stammering and acting as though it is missing around 40 mph, and under a load. I have replaced the plugs, wires, coil pack, MAF sensor, TPS and fuel filter. Today, I pulled the speed sensor from the tranny and went to replace it, buuut the part that o'reillys gave me didnt match up. I tried finding it online and it shows the same part that o'riellys had, which isnt the same one. What I cant figure out is if the part i pulled might have been discontinued or redesigned due to this reoccurring problem with this model of X. Either way it didnt seem to fit the tranny. Anyone have any ideas on what to do? The only codes its throwing now is low voltage to tps and epc solenoid malfunction. I havent drained the oil yet to check for cassette damage.

 

[janolsson]

Ok, Im not trying to rip this thread, but im not an elite and cant post a new one, so please bear with me. I have searched just about every thread on this subject and have replaced just about every part that anyone has suggested to replace to fix the issue. For some reason, the dang thing is still stammering and acting as though it is missing around 40 mph, and under a load. I have replaced the plugs, wires, coil pack, MAF sensor, TPS and fuel filter. Today, I pulled the speed sensor from the tranny and went to replace it, buuut the part that o'reillys gave me didnt match up. I tried finding it online and it shows the same part that o'riellys had, which isnt the same one. What I cant figure out is if the part i pulled might have been discontinued or redesigned due to this reoccurring problem with this model of X. Either way it didnt seem to fit the tranny. Anyone have any ideas on what to do? The only codes its throwing now is low voltage to tps and epc solenoid malfunction. I havent drained the oil yet to check for cassette damage.

Hi jeremy
You can still start your own thread even if not elite but not in this section.
If you do so in the correct section ie stock 95-2001 and you give all the symptoms and codes and engine type i'm sure lots of guys will pipe up.

I'll give you a couple of my thoughts tho. For the speed sensor, why? have you tested it and think its wrong?
Have a look at these (bottom of page) usallparts speed sensor and if they match yours then checkout tascaparts.com and search the part number. (these are for 95-97 but you could look for 98-2001 for the part no.)
On the tps do a search for setting this up using a multimeter. Basically you have the meter on 2 of the output terminals and loosen the bolts ant tilt it until you get the correct voltage output. This will have a signicant effect on the idle and running of the engine.
Do you have a rattle? If not it is unlikely your cassettes are busted. If you feel the need to inspect them you can do by removing the valve covers. 2000StreetRod has done a great thread on doing this (you can advanced search for his threads only). The only reason to drain the oil would be to drop the pan to look for bits of plastic and/or to allow you to pull the front timing cover to check for primary chain guide failure.
On the epc solenoid, i have no experience of this but have read a few threads regarding this and it doesn't appear to be out of the realm of a DIY mechanic. (again search and ye shall find).
HTH

 

[Jeremy71655]

Thanks for the help, Ill give it a shot!