Black Explorer
New Member
- Joined
- July 2, 2006
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Nashville, TN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1996 XLT
I have a 1996 Explorer XLT with 261,000 miles and have never had any engine problems. I am the original owner and I want to keep it running as long as I can. A few weeks ago i noticed a knocking sound when I would accelerate out on the highway. It sounded like what I thought to be a valve sticking and popping open. I put Gumout Injector and Valve Cleaner in and I haven't heard the noise since. Around the same time the engine began to run a little rough, but I was not getting a check engine light. I noticed the bulb was not working and I replaced it, and it quickly began to glow. I took it in to a local shop to have the codes scanned. They didn't give me the code numbers, but they told me I had O2 sensor problems and an EGR problem. Here is a break down of all they wanted to do and what they wanted to charge me.
Replace 3 O2 sensor @ $1200.00
Serpentine Belt @ $89.00
Replace Spark Plugs @ $109.00
Replace Plug Wires @ $189.00
Replace PCV valve @ $24.00
Replace Fuel Filter @ $59.00
Fuel Injection Service @ $49.00
Fuel Cleaner @ $16.00
Carbon Vac. @ $90.00
Throttle Plate Cleaning @ $90.00
Correct EGR Problems @ Price To Be Determined
Total Charges - $1915.00 + EGR charges + tax
I told them to forget it and puchased my own scanner. I got two codes when I scanned for codes, 133 and 401. So far I have replaced the serpentine belt, plugs, plug wires, and the O2 sensor that was giving me the 133 code. I have yet to have the O2 sensor code return, and the engine seems to be running a little smoother. I am going to replace the PCV valve and the fuel filter, but I have a few questions.
Should I give the engine a Seafoam treatment? - If yes will it damage the new plugs that I have put in? ( I read that it would )
Where should I start with solving the EGR problem? - From what I have read it could be one of about five or six different things causing the code. I was going to start by cleaning the MAF, is this a good place to start?
As I clean and check the different EGR parts should I reset the computer each time and see if the code comes back or just let it go and see if it clears it self?
Is there any other things that I should check or do to give it a good solid tune up?
I have been reading the forums for the past few weeks and you guys have saved me a ton of money. Thanks for all the help.
Replace 3 O2 sensor @ $1200.00
Serpentine Belt @ $89.00
Replace Spark Plugs @ $109.00
Replace Plug Wires @ $189.00
Replace PCV valve @ $24.00
Replace Fuel Filter @ $59.00
Fuel Injection Service @ $49.00
Fuel Cleaner @ $16.00
Carbon Vac. @ $90.00
Throttle Plate Cleaning @ $90.00
Correct EGR Problems @ Price To Be Determined
Total Charges - $1915.00 + EGR charges + tax
I told them to forget it and puchased my own scanner. I got two codes when I scanned for codes, 133 and 401. So far I have replaced the serpentine belt, plugs, plug wires, and the O2 sensor that was giving me the 133 code. I have yet to have the O2 sensor code return, and the engine seems to be running a little smoother. I am going to replace the PCV valve and the fuel filter, but I have a few questions.
Should I give the engine a Seafoam treatment? - If yes will it damage the new plugs that I have put in? ( I read that it would )
Where should I start with solving the EGR problem? - From what I have read it could be one of about five or six different things causing the code. I was going to start by cleaning the MAF, is this a good place to start?
As I clean and check the different EGR parts should I reset the computer each time and see if the code comes back or just let it go and see if it clears it self?
Is there any other things that I should check or do to give it a good solid tune up?
I have been reading the forums for the past few weeks and you guys have saved me a ton of money. Thanks for all the help.
