93 XLT--Gunked up Fuel Injectors?

[shadowless127]

My girl drives a 93 XLT with 149K. She got the truck about 6 months ago and the previous owner was not exactly taking care of it.

When you're idling the RPMs jump from ~500 to ~750-1000 every now and then. And when you start it sometimes fuel doesn't always get into the engine so you have to crank it longer or pump the gas. I'm thinking the fuel injectors are prolly gunked up but i'm not sure.

I initially thought it was possibly a fuel pump issue but once you get it started it functions fine.

So what kind of Fuel Injector cleaner do you guys suggest?

 

[boggs1227]

have you done anything far as tune up procedures? like... plugs ,wires,fuel filter etc... ?

as far as what fuel injector cleaner to use ...im sure some here will tell you their fav chemical soup to use but i have have good luck with prestone's maxium strenght injector cleaner.comes in a yellow tear drop shaped plastic bottle.imo ...good stuff used it on all of my cars with good results. you may tho not want to mix what the bottle tells you ,may only want to take half a bottle per tank if it requires 1 bottle per say 20 gal ( i think..sorry dont have one here to read the directions) but all i can say is this stuff when it goes through the exhaust is really strong smelling ...so i would just go with half a dose.

 

[Essex4x4]

 

[boggs1227]

hmmmmm.......you know i seen this stuff years ago and saw the infomercials they had going at the time and thought it was amazing stuff but forgot about it over the years.so you've tried this and does it deliver what they say ? i be interrested in trying it in the oil and maybe the transmission( just had it rebuilt so if i could use this mixed with mercon 5 with no problems and make it live longer and work easier then i may give it a try.

anyone else try this in their explorer's ?????? :scratch:

 

[Essex4x4]

hmmmmm.......you know i seen this stuff years ago and saw the infomercials they had going at the time and thought it was amazing stuff but forgot about it over the years.so you've tried this and does it deliver what they say ? i be interrested in trying it in the oil and maybe the transmission( just had it rebuilt so if i could use this mixed with mercon 5 with no problems and make it live longer and work easier then i may give it a try.

anyone else try this in their explorer's ?????? :scratch:

I have seen an increase of 2-3mpg city and highway over my factory mileage.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

My girl drives a 93 XLT with 149K. She got the truck about 6 months ago and the previous owner was not exactly taking care of it.

When you're idling the RPMs jump from ~500 to ~750-1000 every now and then. And when you start it sometimes fuel doesn't always get into the engine so you have to crank it longer or pump the gas. I'm thinking the fuel injectors are prolly gunked up but i'm not sure.

I initially thought it was possibly a fuel pump issue but once you get it started it functions fine.

So what kind of Fuel Injector cleaner do you guys suggest?

I have a 93 XLT with 260k!!! I got you man.

the RPMs jumping around does sound kind of strange, but mine did it to when I first got it, and mine had 214K when i got it.

About 6 months into having it, it was sputtering REALLY bad, and the RPMs were a little weird as well, but there are a BUNCH of things you can do to help it at it's current point in miles... Bear with me for a few minutes, I have a bunch of suggestions to help you out...

1. Start using a better gasoline if you aren't all ready. Using surplus gas from the 'save 3 cents with yoru kroger card' isn't going to help. A lot of these places use surplus gasoline, which is still gasoline, but may not be mixed as well. I use shell/bp and nothing but and i feel that it runs better off of these stations then the cheaper ones. I don't run 93 all the time, mostly 87, but i do run one tankful of v-power gasoline once a month.

2. For a engine cleaner, I run the Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner about every other month or so. Essex mentioned Zmax... not going to say it's a crap product because I myself have never used it, but he is the ONLY person I've ever heard of to get gains out of it... it may help with the cheaper gasolines, but just use good gas from good stations and you'll be straight.

3. Replace your spark plugs and spark plug wires if you haven't all ready. If you can't remember changing them, then do it. Most plugs have a 'long life', but with our older engines they should be replaced regularly... I do mine every year, because it's only 30-35 dollars for everything. Kinda like a yearly tune up.

4. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79362
I've started working on this, but my 'dremel' is an offbrand, so i'm slowly getting it to the right voltage.

5. Replace your fuel filter! I had 245 THOUSAND miles on my explorer before it was ever changed out. I couldn't tell any difference personally, so maybe mine was still okay.

6. Another cause of the rpm jumps could be a vacuum leak... i've had hoses pop off and my idles were all over the place. so just check the vacuum tree for a hose or cap that's popped off.

Follow my train of thought here for a second, you're saying that you have to 'pump' the gas, I wouldn't think that you would be able to because it's fuel injected, all that happens when you press the gas pedal is you open the throttle, so i don't think that's helping really... The slow start may be caused by your spark plugs, if they're old and crappy then the sparks may not be as strong, and not igniting the fuel as quick as you'd want it. I've also started letting my fuel pump prime itself, which is accomplished by turning the key forward to turn the radio on, you'll hear it, kinda like a 'moan' (lol), only needs to be turned there for about 2 seconds, then go all the way. i feel that it starts quicker because the fuel is ready to go.

sorry this is so lengthy, but this should get you going towards the right direction. feel free to contact me with any more questions, i'll be happy to help:
berkinstocks87@yahoo.com

 

[shadowless127]

I have a 93 XLT with 260k!!! I got you man.

the RPMs jumping around does sound kind of strange, but mine did it to when I first got it, and mine had 214K when i got it.

About 6 months into having it, it was sputtering REALLY bad, and the RPMs were a little weird as well, but there are a BUNCH of things you can do to help it at it's current point in miles... Bear with me for a few minutes, I have a bunch of suggestions to help you out...

1. Start using a better gasoline if you aren't all ready. Using surplus gas from the 'save 3 cents with yoru kroger card' isn't going to help. A lot of these places use surplus gasoline, which is still gasoline, but may not be mixed as well. I use shell/bp and nothing but and i feel that it runs better off of these stations then the cheaper ones. I don't run 93 all the time, mostly 87, but i do run one tankful of v-power gasoline once a month.

2. For a engine cleaner, I run the Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner about every other month or so. Essex mentioned Zmax... not going to say it's a crap product because I myself have never used it, but he is the ONLY person I've ever heard of to get gains out of it... it may help with the cheaper gasolines, but just use good gas from good stations and you'll be straight.

3. Replace your spark plugs and spark plug wires if you haven't all ready. If you can't remember changing them, then do it. Most plugs have a 'long life', but with our older engines they should be replaced regularly... I do mine every year, because it's only 30-35 dollars for everything. Kinda like a yearly tune up.

4. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79362
I've started working on this, but my 'dremel' is an offbrand, so i'm slowly getting it to the right voltage.

5. Replace your fuel filter! I had 245 THOUSAND miles on my explorer before it was ever changed out. I couldn't tell any difference personally, so maybe mine was still okay.

6. Another cause of the rpm jumps could be a vacuum leak... i've had hoses pop off and my idles were all over the place. so just check the vacuum tree for a hose or cap that's popped off.

Follow my train of thought here for a second, you're saying that you have to 'pump' the gas, I wouldn't think that you would be able to because it's fuel injected, all that happens when you press the gas pedal is you open the throttle, so i don't think that's helping really... The slow start may be caused by your spark plugs, if they're old and crappy then the sparks may not be as strong, and not igniting the fuel as quick as you'd want it. I've also started letting my fuel pump prime itself, which is accomplished by turning the key forward to turn the radio on, you'll hear it, kinda like a 'moan' (lol), only needs to be turned there for about 2 seconds, then go all the way. i feel that it starts quicker because the fuel is ready to go.

sorry this is so lengthy, but this should get you going towards the right direction. feel free to contact me with any more questions, i'll be happy to help:
berkinstocks87@yahoo.com

TY for the info

1) We put in name brand gas ONLY except for a few times when el cheapo gas was all we could get our hands on.

2) I think I'm going to try the Prestone cleaner only because I haven't seen lucas at my local auto store

3) The next time we take it in for an oil change i'll have them change out the plugs n wires

4) Don't feel comfortable doing this

5) This is on the To-Do list as well...i'm such a tool I completely forgot about the fuel filter

6) These are all fine, checked em about a week ago.

Looks like i'm going to be picking up a 2000 5.0 in the next week so after i pick that up i'm going to give the 93 some rest and TLC so hopefully we can squeak another year out of it.

 

[boggs1227]

just bought some zmax today for the explorer (oil and fuel treatment system)

 

[JohnJ]

My girl drives a 93 XLT with 149K. She got the truck about 6 months ago and the previous owner was not exactly taking care of it.

When you're idling the RPMs jump from ~500 to ~750-1000 every now and then. And when you start it sometimes fuel doesn't always get into the engine so you have to crank it longer or pump the gas. I'm thinking the fuel injectors are prolly gunked up but i'm not sure.

I initially thought it was possibly a fuel pump issue but once you get it started it functions fine.

So what kind of Fuel Injector cleaner do you guys suggest?

You definitely want to be sure you aren't chasing yourself in circles over a vacuum leak or a sticking IAC.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I'd start with the plugs and wires first though. If they've never been changed, or haven't been changed in a while you'll be able to tell a difference as soon as they are. Changing spark plugs was the first thing I learned how to do on my Explorer, it's really not to hard, just time consuming. I like doing it myself because I feel that I know it's done right and that it's actually done. I'm not sure what the shop will charge you, most likely an hour of labor, but just make sure they do change out the plugs AND the wires, and that the plugs are spaced properly.

Keep us updated

 

[shadowless127]

I'd start with the plugs and wires first though. If they've never been changed, or haven't been changed in a while you'll be able to tell a difference as soon as they are. Changing spark plugs was the first thing I learned how to do on my Explorer, it's really not to hard, just time consuming. I like doing it myself because I feel that I know it's done right and that it's actually done. I'm not sure what the shop will charge you, most likely an hour of labor, but just make sure they do change out the plugs AND the wires, and that the plugs are spaced properly.

Keep us updated

Yeah We'll see what the shop says. If I have them do it then I'm going to make them show me the old plugs and the old wires because i'm a firm believer that you DTA when it comes to automobile service. I don't think i'm going to have time to take it down this weekend, but i should be picking up the 5.0 next weekend so i'll take them both down to the shop at the same time.

I wish we had more time and money to invest in the 93 but since the 5.0 is going to be the main vehicle and my DD, i'm putting all my money towards that (new intake, exhaust, tune, etc.)

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Yeah We'll see what the shop says. If I have them do it then I'm going to make them show me the old plugs and the old wires because i'm a firm believer that you DTA when it comes to automobile service. I don't think i'm going to have time to take it down this weekend, but i should be picking up the 5.0 next weekend so i'll take them both down to the shop at the same time.

I wish we had more time and money to invest in the 93 but since the 5.0 is going to be the main vehicle and my DD, i'm putting all my money towards that (new intake, exhaust, tune, etc.)

yeah, and depending on how you drive, you might get better mileage with the 5.0. it's crazy! lol. just keep the maintenance up on the 4.0L, it'll go along way when taken care of.

 

[KingpinVinny]

On every 5th fill up I dump a whole can of SeaFoam in the tank to keep things clean. Got over 100k miles on stock injectors. Thinking it was just a placebo, I took my truck to have the fuel system flushed and cleaned, injectors taken out and cleaned, mechanic (first honest one I have met) said there was no need. Said I brought the truck in for something it didn't need. I even pour a whole can in with the oil 50 miles before the oil change, it really does work.

 

[shadowless127]

yeah, and depending on how you drive, you might get better mileage with the 5.0. it's crazy! lol. just keep the maintenance up on the 4.0L, it'll go along way when taken care of.

Well me and the lady both have pretty bad lead foots so we'll be using the 5.0 ALWAYS lol.

 

[Bwana Bob]

For fuel injector cleaners I use Chevron Techron or Gumout Fuel Injector cleaner. I had a fuel filter problem a few months ago that really fouled my injectors. (Symptom: no torque, hesitation) It took several treatments with fuel injector cleaner to get her to run properly again.

Also, in addition to cleaning the IAC, you should clean the MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor).

Bob

 

[safn1949]

Another good choice is BG 44K,hard to find but really good stuff,I used it in a jeep that was running like crap,4.0 185,000 miles,ran it down the interstate at 70+ and wow,what a difference in power,idle and mpg.Well worth it.

 

[damnford]

i had a former friend who bought a 95 explorer that had sat for 4 years. we changed the oil and all the fluids but he kept the old gas in the tank. we only had to move it three blocks. we also had to tap on the starter to get it running and home, it didn't run well but it made it and ran fairly smooth. it started acting up so we checked the fuel pressure and it was about 15 to 20 lbs pressure. so we dropped the fuel tank and dumped the gas and changed the pump out and left the fuel line off for a second to flush the lines out to the filter. the stuff that came out of the filter was black nasty looking stuff and we figured the new filter would catch stuff left. we didn't flush the top end with the injectors though it started right up then died a few minutes later. now it won't start and it backfires through the throttle body. i am thinking a cam sensor and plugged injectors. but he doesn't want to mess with it, and blames me for the breakdown.

 

[donalds]

Check that filter again

 

[damnford]

i will let him do that he doesn't want anything to do with me, we cleaned out the tank when we had it apart.