Well I am at a loss as to what could be my problem so figured I would post here and find out.
Vehicle is a 1997 Explorer 4.0 SOHC V6 with 188,000 on it. The engine was checked out at my local ford dealer about 6 months ago when I brought it in for plugs and wires, and they said its running strong without any issues.
Well it ran strong as hell up until about 4 months ago when it started to get progressivly worse. When its cold outside ( 50f and under ) it starts up and revs to about 2k rpm, and then drops to 500-600 rpm and almost dies. It then intermittenly revs back to 2k rpm and drops back to 500-600rpm until it reaches operating temperature. Obviously this sounds like the valve cover gasket issue everyone seems to be having.
Well that was my first guess anyway... Except when its warmed to operating temperature it still stays at about 500-600rpm idle. And it has no power until the gas peddle is pushed halfway to the floor... it sluggishly works its way into the power band then takes off like a bat out of hell. On top of that from time to time you can tell it starts to miss like its flooding out and has next to no power even with the peddle mashed to the floor. Aaaaaand it smells like unburnt fuel at idle, while driving, and after shutting it off. So its obviously running rich. Also to add my MPG went from 18-19 average to 10-12... LAME!
I popped a fuel pressure gauge on it to test that and see where it was at. Uppon turning the key to the on position without starting the truck it jumps to 40psi right away but then slowly drops to 25psi. After starting it will jump to 35psi and drop to about 28-29psi shortly after. After shutting it off but leaving the key in the on position it will jump back to 40psi and drop down to 25psi again. This leads me to beleive its the Fuel Pressure Regulator.
What I need to know is if it is the regulator, or something else? It isn't throwing a CEL light at all so I don't beleive the MAF is bad on it... I just want to get it figured out without having to dump a load of money into the truck. Its a great vehicle and I love the hell out of it, but I am too poor to dump a load of cash into something thats almost over 200k.
What are your opinions on this? Replace the fuel pressure regulator and see if that works? I can't afford to replace item after item on it, but I also can't afford $60 a week in gas, and the fact the engine has next to no power until you mash the peddle.
Please help!
Vehicle is a 1997 Explorer 4.0 SOHC V6 with 188,000 on it. The engine was checked out at my local ford dealer about 6 months ago when I brought it in for plugs and wires, and they said its running strong without any issues.
Well it ran strong as hell up until about 4 months ago when it started to get progressivly worse. When its cold outside ( 50f and under ) it starts up and revs to about 2k rpm, and then drops to 500-600 rpm and almost dies. It then intermittenly revs back to 2k rpm and drops back to 500-600rpm until it reaches operating temperature. Obviously this sounds like the valve cover gasket issue everyone seems to be having.
Well that was my first guess anyway... Except when its warmed to operating temperature it still stays at about 500-600rpm idle. And it has no power until the gas peddle is pushed halfway to the floor... it sluggishly works its way into the power band then takes off like a bat out of hell. On top of that from time to time you can tell it starts to miss like its flooding out and has next to no power even with the peddle mashed to the floor. Aaaaaand it smells like unburnt fuel at idle, while driving, and after shutting it off. So its obviously running rich. Also to add my MPG went from 18-19 average to 10-12... LAME!
I popped a fuel pressure gauge on it to test that and see where it was at. Uppon turning the key to the on position without starting the truck it jumps to 40psi right away but then slowly drops to 25psi. After starting it will jump to 35psi and drop to about 28-29psi shortly after. After shutting it off but leaving the key in the on position it will jump back to 40psi and drop down to 25psi again. This leads me to beleive its the Fuel Pressure Regulator.
What I need to know is if it is the regulator, or something else? It isn't throwing a CEL light at all so I don't beleive the MAF is bad on it... I just want to get it figured out without having to dump a load of money into the truck. Its a great vehicle and I love the hell out of it, but I am too poor to dump a load of cash into something thats almost over 200k.
What are your opinions on this? Replace the fuel pressure regulator and see if that works? I can't afford to replace item after item on it, but I also can't afford $60 a week in gas, and the fact the engine has next to no power until you mash the peddle.
Please help!
