93 ex runs rough under load

[CmdrPopNFresh]

hey guys its been a while since ive been around here....i got a new job and havent spent much time on the computer since. anyway...to the problem



so for the last few days ive been having a problem with the explorer. it will cutout and sputter when pulling from a stop....like it is missing. if i get the rpms up higher than normal it evens out and cruising is fine with the occasional cutout. and the check engine light never comes on during any of this. i think it might be spark.....but i donno. anyone else seen this before? its kinda got me stumped...i sure hate to just throw some parts at it but thats where im at now....coil and new wires.....it has new plugs as of 500 miles ago. any help would be much appreciated.

 

[LukeDog3D]

It sounds like ignition to me - more specifically, the coil pack. You can check to see if the resistance is within spec with a multimeter - consult your Haynes manual for the specs. It is pretty easy to do.

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

so i just went out and climbed under the old fat lard and noticed that the cat is turning purple and blue at the front of it....from heat. that would deffinately be a sign of unburnt fuel. another thing i wanted to mention is that this seems to happen when it gets hot outside.....that i dont understand.

tomorrow i will be checking the coil and if i have to il replace it and the wires.

 

[doonze]

Check the MAF man, always check the MAF..... !!! Clean it just for grins!! I had a cutting out issue, turned out it was my MAF. Course I also had a light from time to time, but clean that MAF before dealing with everything else! Also can cause fuel issues, if the PCM get the wrong siginal from the MAF it will mix the fuel/air incorrectly.

Doesn't hurt to check!

 

[shaggymane]

if it's the coil pack then you should get a code that says check ignition pickup.
WTF is an ingnition pickup?

there are no codes for mechanical problems like a fuel pressure reg on the fritz. But when the FPR goes it will give codes about no HEGO switching and improper MAF numbers and such. but them i'm working with a 91.

YOu 92 boys get better codes?

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

Check the MAF man, always check the MAF..... !!! Clean it just for grins!! I had a cutting out issue, turned out it was my MAF. Course I also had a light from time to time, but clean that MAF before dealing with everything else! Also can cause fuel issues, if the PCM get the wrong siginal from the MAF it will mix the fuel/air incorrectly.

Doesn't hurt to check!

i think youre on to something.....my maf housing is cracked.....i just noticed. i havent cleaned it yet...but with a cracked housing it should be replaced anyway

 

[doonze]

Is the MAF cracked or the metal housing? My MAF died, replaced with a used u-pull-it MAF, works great. If it's the housing that is easier to find then the correct MAF. I found several housings that were exactly the same as my stocker, but out of all of those only 1 MAF had the right part #, and I guess that matters!!

$32 with tax!

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

the plastic housing on the sensor is cracked. i just went to my parts department and ordered one today. i would have put it on but the stupid power went out and i had to close up shop for the rest of the day.

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

i got a new maf today.....appearently when i ordered one last week it never made it here because of the power situation. so hopefulil this works.

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

so the maf didnt fix it......but atleast i have a new one that doesnt have ahole in the top of it. i pulled codes today and im getting 136 system too lean not switching bank 1 and 172 system too lean not switching bank 2........i drove it again and it feels like its just cutting out.....its not a constant misfire or a dead hole...just cutting out while driving. should i be looking at the pressure regulator? i know thats pretty common. i feel so helpless.....i work on new cars...diesels mostly...i never learned these older things. i had to dig out the old scan tool for this dang thing....i dont think anyone in the dealership has used this thing since 95. anyway.....anyone got any ideas?

 

[doonze]

Well, the MAF was my cutting out problem. But your getting lean codes from both your O2 sensors, I'd say fuel is a good guess. Clogged fuel filter would be my first guess. I'd replace that since it's quick, "easy" and cheap. Can't hurt nothing and gets 1 possible cause out of the way!

 

[Tony H]

Teh Power Packs are pretty tough on these years.. Breaking up under a load , to me, sounds like Ignition Wires or plugs. How many miles since you replaced the wires??

 

[doonze]

the Power Packs are pretty tough on these years.. Breaking up under a load , to me, sounds like Ignition Wires or plugs. How many miles since you replaced the wires??

But if it wasn't firing right, wouldn't that make it run Rich and and not lean? Due to non combusted fuel?

 

[Tony H]

But if it wasn't firing right, wouldn't that make it run Rich and and not lean? Due to non combusted fuel?

Yes, it would tend to run Rich... But origianlly you said you weren't getting codes.. Then you pulled codes.. They may be 'Old' codes.

If the Power Pack was dying, you'd be getting a rich mixture too.

Slightly clogged injector might give you the hesitation under load too... that would explain the Lean Mix too. BUT clogged injectors wouldn't give you a Miss feeling, more like a retarded timing. feel...real sluggish.
I'm saying the code might not be related.

 

[72mustbrad]

cuts out

mine does the same thing once and awhile worse when towing new plugs stopped it for 1 week the came back changed fuel filter still their thinking fuel delivery now (pump, regulator etc) any other ideas n the less costly range

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

no the codes are on demand. they come up when i do a running test. i checked for vacuum leaks and cant find any. my regulator doesnt have gas coming out of it. and i seem to be getting spark. guess ill check fuel pressure now

 

[Tony H]

mine does the same thing once and awhile worse when towing new plugs stopped it for 1 week the came back changed fuel filter still their thinking fuel delivery now (pump, regulator etc) any other ideas n the less costly range

Ignition wires.
It seems that you need to change them at every 90,000 miles.
I would do that before jumping into the Fuel tank. ( pun intended)

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

i just did plugs and wires about 1000 miles ago. i think im on to something though...il check back after lunch

 

[dangerrangerstx]

how is it up hills?
could be
coils
fuel

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

well i thought i had it......turns out i was wrong. i pulled up the PIDs and watched the engine coolant temp and it was reading cold even though the engine was warmed up. and since the pcm uses ect to determine fuel trim..i thouht that might be it...but nope. 40 bucks later and it still runs like trash. im going to have to check fuel pressure......i still havent done that cause i dont have gauge(i lost mine nice matco one in the process of moving).

this sucks...i was planning on using the explorer to go camping this coming weekend...but now il be taking the stupid escort.