A few weird issues

[MasterDev]

To start off, I have read around and searched, I did find many answer to which I tried, and so far I've ended up here...

Ford Explorer 2001 Sport with 115k miles

First started with the lean/rich codes, hard acceleration, and a rough idle, in which I...

-Cleaned the throttle body, and other intake areas
-Changed my spark plugs & wires (well 5 of them - can't get to the first cylinder plug, will try again tonight)
-Replaced the MAF sensor
-Check the hoses for leaks
-Changed the fuel filter
-Changed the oil
-Changed the air filter
-Checked all fluids
-Ran injector cleaner through it 5 times with premium gas.

Now I have no codes and have a somewhat steady idle, but the car shakes a bit at times when idling. Also, it still hesitates when I accelerate from stop to 40mph, but I'm thinking it's the one plug I didn't replace.

I'm also now feeling the pedal vibrate a bit at times, it was worse before, now it's just rare. And when I start it up cold, it runs beautifully, but then 5-10 minutes later, it starts acting up. I was reading where people had the opposite of this on these forums...

Also, when I am on the freeway, and I accelerate faster, I can smell a rancid smell... Not like a full gas smell, but more of a burned skunk with bad gas fumes... or something like that. And sometimes it doesn't smell too bad, just a slight smell. But it's only when I accelerate hard.

Now I'm thinking I need to replace the injectors maybe? Or could it be as simple as that one plug that is almost impossible to get to? Also, from another thread, I saw something on a possible leaky gasket, but I can't find that thread... Anyone know of it?

I'm posting a link to a video of the engine - And I'll go grab some pictures in a few... I know some things about cars, as I used to work on my Honda, but I gotta say, American cars are jam packed with extras...

Any help is great! Thanks!



-Dev

 

[joshuaj0214]

You didn't say which engine you have but the SOHC engines have a common issue with the intake gaskets. A friend of mine had a few of the symptoms you mentioned and it was the gaskets. Its hard to say though without a trouble code.


I just watched the video and it souds like a bad vacuum leak or maybe a compression leak? Are all of the spark plugs tight? I would change the rest of them and check them out. I have seen plugs crack and shoot out of a head before.

 

[410Fortune]

change your 6th plug LOL

go through the wheel well, I cant tell you how many poor running V6's I have seen where the 6th plug looks to be STOCK with the other 5 all new, even different types of plugs!!

I doubt that is your issue, but you have not finished your plug change yet, only in extreme cases was this the cause of a miss or stumble


I second the intake gaskets/o rings
leaking O rings = leak after the MAS = run like el crapo

quit running injector cleaner through it, what kind did you use?
that can do more harm then good

 

[MasterDev]

4.0 SOHC V6

I used that gumout stuff or something like that... It was on sale at auto zone.

Apparently the misfire isn't that bad since there is no code, which makes it harder for me, and everyone to help figure it out. Before it was those common lean/rich codes.

I was thinking that plug too, just haven't had time to work on it again - It is in the first cylinder, so it would make sense... I'm just hoping it wasn't the injectors. I also think I will go back and make sure everything is in tight...

I also need help figuring out where the PCV valve is and maybe some tips on some other hoses to fix... I did spay starting fluid on some of the tubes, and no luck. And if anyone can link me to a diagram of those O-rings or a link to a thread about it since my dumbass can't find it...

What about that weird smell? Could the bad spark be causing this? I don't think it's anything with the fuel pump since it's fine when first started up.

Thanks again!!!

 

[MasterDev]

Also, I can get other video or pictures if needed to help diagnose it!

 

[joshuaj0214]

Your wole problem just sunk in! I am gonna say a plugged up catalitic converter. I would have a foul, kinda sulfur, smell and will diffinetly make it stumble due to 2 much back pressure. That would also explain the lean/rich codes from the computer trying to compensate for the oxygen sensor readings.

 

[MasterDev]

Hopefully that solves it, as it does make a lot of sense... Only problem is that I've never dealt with one before since my Honda was a straight pipe from the turbo.

How would I go about fixing this? I'll search the forums and google too, but let me know if you have a suggestion on hand!

Thanks!

 

[joshuaj0214]

I would figure out which one it is and a muffler shop can install a new one or you can buy the cat and try to do it yourself. The cat is probably under a 100 bucks.

 

[MasterDev]

I'll give that a shot and thanks for your help!

Also, would anyone know if it's possible to swap my engine (4x4 Ford Explorer Sport 2001 4.0 V6 ) into a Ford Explorer 2002 4x4? Or would it take more than that?

A telephone pole fell on the back of my Explorer, and it's going to take to much to repair it, so I found another body to throw my motor into...

 

[joshuaj0214]

I think it should go witout a problem. Is the other truck a SOHC also?

 

[MasterDev]

I think it is, I'll check though.

 

[MasterDev]

Well, I got all of the wires and plugs on... It now idles at 900 to 800 rpm which is much better, but still slightly jerks when stopped...

Haven't checked the Cat yet, as that's my next step...

 

[MasterDev]

Also another question of mine - Where are all the o-rings I need to replace at?

 

[joshuaj0214]

If you are refering to the intake o rings, they are in between the upper and lower intake manifolds.