95 explorer 4.0L 02 sensor

[afligu]

I found a code scanner and the codes are 181 and 186 Thanks for any help you can give me. alan

""I own a 1995 explorer with a 4.0l engine. The check engine light started coming on, so I had a mechanic check it out and he said there was a code 181. Lean exhaust He said he checked it out and that there is a vacuum leak at the intake gasket. He wants to change the gasket for $240 plus $55 for parts. Then recheck for codes. I looked at the intake and saw that the mating surface is under the valve covers and thought that if there was a leak there I would be pulling in oil and would have blue smoke. I sprayed carb cleaner around the intake but got no change in the idle. At a idle it does seem to stumble once in a while. could he be right or is it just the o2 sensor is shot. I was going to put a meter on the o2 cell but saw it is a 4 wire and do not know which wires to measure. The car has 65000 miles on it. He also said the TB was dirty and needed to be cleaned. Is there some way to read the codes with out a scan tool. The mechanic said the air clener was all right but when I checked it was filthy. So I don't really trust him. Any help you can give me would be great . Thanks Alan";

 

[Navig8r]

RE: Scan Code Reader

I was going to make one (I do stuff like that
for a living) but found one with a NON-DIGITAL display in the Automotive section at Wal-Mart cheaper than the parts and enclosure I'd planned to use.

This unit is marketed under the name INNOVA #3143 FORD CODE READER 1.5, and it reads OBD-I codes.

By non-digital, I mean that you still have to count LED flashes instead of having a nice All - Digital unit which would give the Code on an LCD screen or seven - segment LED.

Those aren't cheap, Sports Fans...

Anyway, this little puck is about the size of a deck of Luckies, is black and says FORD on it; made in China. Comes with a nice Instruction Manual that is about informative as the Codes section of the Haynes manual, but a great deal smaller.

It seems I paid about $24 for it. I have seen them on eBay going for $14 or so, but then you have to pay shipping. If you need it on Sunday morning or the night before a Run, it seems Wal-Mart might be a good stop.

FYI, presently working on an OBD-I engine analyzer doo-dah which would plug into the socket on the Ford and display the info on a PC/Laptop/CE. Similar to the Engine Tap unit for OBD-II vehicles.

Real-time, on-the-fly ****pit Display Engine Analyzers, anyone?

Regards,
W7LV



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"I'm sure I'd be MUCH more concerned if I weren't so heavily medicated."