A few Problems..

[WyattH]

Wondering you guys can help me out here

Problem #1

Spark plugs go bad commonly (Every 2 months or so) and give me a really rough idle,bad throttle response and rough engine around 1.5-2k rpms. From my knowledge this is misfiring and it will always be one or two plugs that randomly go bad. Slight smell of unburnt fuel aswell.

Problem #2

Power steering noise. I have plenty of fluid but it makes a fairly noticeable noise when i am braking and turning. Pump i assume?

Problem #3 (Cosmetic)

Steering wheel buttons are distentigrating quicky. What replacements can i use for this? Or good aftermarket parts for it. (preferably plastic. That gel stuff is a nono)

Center console is tearing apart. I saw a thread for suede but i have actual leather interior. Are there replacements for this?

Problem #4

Rear driverside door is incapable of being opened from the inside. Child safety locks arent on and its perfectly fine with being opened from the outside.

Passenger side door handle has to travel alot further to open and doesnt have the satisfying click my other door handles do.

Problem #5

Rear windshield wiper cant leave the notch its in by its own power. If i set it on the window it will work but cant close itself and makes a really awful grinding noise. Stripped gears?





Little info about the truck
1998 Explorer XLT (Leather interior)
4.0 SOHC v6
Auto transmission
Four door

Throwing a bad O2 sensor code. and possibly more. Ill have to get my uncle to hook it up and see what its doing sometime this weekend hopefully.

Fuel filter needs to be replaced but alas i don't have the tool to do it and im not sure what size it is. Apparently there are different size lines according to the autozone guy?

Otherwise underbody is rust free. All filters are fresh and new. Spark plug cables are new. and the exhaust has no unusual sound



Thanks for the help in advance. Anything else you guys need ill try and get it for you.

 

[AlexSport'00]

Bump! Cause I am wondering about the buttons on the steering wheel too. Mine are like almost completely gone. It's horrible looking.
Also, sorry that I can't really help much with any of these problems :/

 

[yavapaires]

Wondering you guys can help me out here

Problem #1

Spark plugs go bad commonly (Every 2 months or so) and give me a really rough idle,bad throttle response and rough engine around 1.5-2k rpms. From my knowledge this is misfiring and it will always be one or two plugs that randomly go bad. Slight smell of unburnt fuel aswell.

Problem #2

Power steering noise. I have plenty of fluid but it makes a fairly noticeable noise when i am braking and turning. Pump i assume?

Problem #3 (Cosmetic)

Steering wheel buttons are distentigrating quicky. What replacements can i use for this? Or good aftermarket parts for it. (preferably plastic. That gel stuff is a nono)

Center console is tearing apart. I saw a thread for suede but i have actual leather interior. Are there replacements for this?

Problem #4

Rear driverside door is incapable of being opened from the inside. Child safety locks arent on and its perfectly fine with being opened from the outside.

Passenger side door handle has to travel alot further to open and doesnt have the satisfying click my other door handles do.

Problem #5

Rear windshield wiper cant leave the notch its in by its own power. If i set it on the window it will work but cant close itself and makes a really awful grinding noise. Stripped gears?





Little info about the truck
1998 Explorer XLT (Leather interior)
4.0 SOHC v6
Auto transmission
Four door

Throwing a bad O2 sensor code. and possibly more. Ill have to get my uncle to hook it up and see what its doing sometime this weekend hopefully.

Fuel filter needs to be replaced but alas i don't have the tool to do it and im not sure what size it is. Apparently there are different size lines according to the autozone guy?

Otherwise underbody is rust free. All filters are fresh and new. Spark plug cables are new. and the exhaust has no unusual sound



Thanks for the help in advance. Anything else you guys need ill try and get it for you.

Problem #1, Are you loosing coolant? Check the radiator, not just the reservoir.
Problem #2, P/S pumps are famous for noise. Run the fluid level slightly above the full mark,helps on my 96.
Problem #3, there are places on here that have used parts, or the dealer. I bought some center caps from a parts yard in Kansas. Real good service, and reasonable prices. Search for the center console lid too.
Problems #4&5, I can't help you with. You will probably have to take the door apart to see what is going on. Having the same trouble with mine.

 

[WyattH]

Thanks. Ill check my coolant levels but ive looked at the bad spark plugs and they always come back out with heavy carbon deposits. Doesnt look like any coolant is getting in the bay though.

Little more detail. If my spark plugs are working fine i idle at like 900 rpm. When they misfire they flucuate between 500-700. Ive seen it drop as low as 300 before and it almost cut off.

 

[bobflood]

Wondering you guys can help me out here

Problem #3 (Cosmetic)

Steering wheel buttons are distentigrating quicky. What replacements can i use for this? Or good aftermarket parts for it. (preferably plastic. That gel stuff is a nono) Only source for switches is Ford or one of the part outs on this forum; might get luck at JY but good ones go fast!

Center console is tearing apart. I saw a thread for suede but i have actual leather interior. Are there replacements for this? Again, good ones hard to find at JY. Check out this link fixmyford.com for kit to replace leather cover. Works pretty well.

Problem #4

Rear driverside door is incapable of being opened from the inside. Child safety locks arent on and its perfectly fine with being opened from the outside.

Nylon part of latch mechanism that implements child lock is broken. Eventually, entire latch mechanism will seize up and door will not open from either side. Dealer will open door for about $200. To avoid this go ahead and replace latch mechanism now. It is a PITA job, especially if you have big hands, but it is doable.

Passenger side door handle has to travel alot further to open and doesnt have the satisfying click my other door handles do.

Assuming outside handle is issue? Take off door skin and look for a ?yellow? clip that connects rod to latch mechanism. Either open and relocate or replace.

Problem #5

Rear windshield wiper cant leave the notch its in by its own power. If i set it on the window it will work but cant close itself and makes a really awful grinding noise. Stripped gears?

SEARCH! - there are a bunch of threads on this problem.

Fuel filter needs to be replaced but alas i don't have the tool to do it and im not sure what size it is. Apparently there are different size lines according to the autozone guy?
Most tools/kits cover multiple sizes. Have to hold your mouth just right - I stuggled with mine for 30 mins, then friend who is mechanic took over and had it loose in 15 seconds!!

Thanks for the help in advance. Anything else you guys need ill try and get it for you.

 

[WyattH]

Thanks. Ill see if i can fix that door asap. And this truck has been a general PITA for the doors in general. And that would explain why i cant find any buttons for it :/

 

[ranger7ltr]

A few links for part fixes...

Amazon has new cc buttons... Not cheap but they fit ...Check this link...http://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-SW...999&vehicleType=automotive&newCar=1&carId=002

To remove the fuel filter use the correct filter removal tool... Harbor Freight has the tools to get it done...They are even on sale right now...http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-fuel-and-auto-trans-line-disconnect-tool-set-96834.html

The door latch problem is a Ford dealer item...Approx $43 each door...

The rear wiper...Hmmm... Not one of Fords' best designs...

And finally what brand plugs do you run? I ask since I run Autolite Platinum and they usually last 30-45k before I replace them...And I replace plugs twice a year...

 

[WyattH]

Im using motorcraft platinums. They last me about 5k >.> Im sure its somthing to do with another area. Theres no good reason for them to die that fast.

Also which ones are the "Correct" Removal tool. I keep getting thrown that answer and cant seem to find which is which.

 

[WyattH]

Alright went to my uncles shop. to replace my spark plugs. Only one was miss firing. #3 it was an APS plug and not a motorcraft. Come to think of it none of my motorcrafts have failed. However it was SEVERELY carbon coated and smelt like gasoline. It wasnt firing at all when we changed it.

This fixes my rough idle. Im hoping it was just the APS plugs being bad. Stay away from them.

However i had seven error codes. he didnt tell me all of them but i had an EVAP leak and that O2 sensor is still bad.

Whats the seriousness of these two?

 

[lounge lizard]

the evap code could be a loose gas cap, may want to check that.

o2 sensor being bad will cause the motor to run rich which in turn you foul out your plugs. so fixing that may save your plugs and make the truck run better

 

[my98nnj]

Ditto that, get the o2 fixed and the correct plugs in there. Also check the coil and make sure the spark is hot enough. When was the last time the wires were changed?

 

[WyattH]

Wires were changed not too long ago when i first started seeing the rough idle problem.. Probably four months ago?

Ill get a handle on that O2 sensor next time i go to advance auto. Tommorow its time to change my fuel filter (After having the filter sit in my trunk for five months.. lol) borrowed the tools from my uncle.

We may make this thing run good afterall.