Cali' Explorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- December 14, 2003
- Messages
- 477
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Sacramento, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '97 XLT 5.0
Hey all-
Well, after a little over 3 years of faithful service, my X has finally decided to cause me some problems.
The Background:
Starting about 2 months ago (mid to end of February), I noticed under WOT when the X would shift, I was getting a slight pop from my exhaust. Almost like a backfire, but no where near loud enough. It only happened under WOT as it shifted, so I didn't think much of it.
Flash forward to 2 weeks ago (April 7th - 8th). I took a trip down to my families. Part of the trip was going to include an Oil Change and Coolant/Thermostat change for the X. I noticed when leaving (as did my Fiance, which really indicates how noticeable the issue is) that at WOT and near WOT, up around 4k+ RPM that the I was getting little pops like before, but intermittently from this point on. No problems below 4k RPM, and no problems if at at approximately 1/2 throttle or less... interesting.
Flash forward once more to last week (April 14th). On my way back from a meeting I filled up with gas for a trip to my families the following day. Tank was 1/2 full and I just topped it off. After leaving the gas station I noticed that I was getting the popping with a slight surge at anything over 1/2 throttle. I took a 3 minute trip over to the bank to deposit my paycheck. Upon leaving and getting back into the car (maybe 10 minutes later), had a hard time starting the explorer, and when I finally did, it seemed to be missing slightly at idle. Between the bank and home (approximately 1 1/2 miles) the X went from running OK to running horribly. Starting sputtering and shaking at lights, popping under any load, and constantly feeling like it was ready to stall at any moment.
That's where I am at now. I have driven the car 3 times since then out of necessity. All trips were less than 4 miles (2 miles each way). And each time, the X has had the last results, barely running, sputtering, popping under acceleration, etc...
Things I have Checked:
- A vacuum test this morning noted Vacuum steady at 20.5 at warm idle, with a slight fluctuation from 20.5 to 20 every once and while. The drop corresponded with a "sucking" sound from under the hood. This may have been the IAC Valve increased the RPM slightly. Other than that, its rock steady (even with the engine missing).
- Fuel Pressure test was done by Pep Boys (I originally thought it was an FPR or Fuel Pump, glad I had them test it first). Fuel pressure was 32 PSI at idle, 40 PSI at WOT and 40 PSI with the vacuum hose removed. There was no indication of any fuel in the FPR Vacuum hose line.
- So far, there has been no CEL thrown. We'll see if that continues.
Next Steps:
- Compression test (just received the compression tester last night). I'm hoping this will shed some light. Depending on what this returns, I will most likely next have to do a leak down test.
- OBD-2 Test. I am planning on ordering an AutoTap setup with the Enhanced Ford data to see what's going on with all the sensors (and more importantly, what the computer thinks is going on).
Things Replaced Recently:
- Lifters & Upper Gaskets: Replaced about 25k ago by Ford. 3 of the Lifters had collapsed and I had an extended warranty, so Ford replaced these. I was a bit concerned as they quoted me 3 days minimum time and had the job done in approximately 1 done. Although this was the 10th time I had taken it to them for the same issue.
- Ignition Coils: Replaced with Accel coils about 15k miles ago.
- Spark Plugs: Replaced with MotorCraft Double Platinums about 15k miles ago.
- Spark Plug Wires: Replaced with Borg Warner Spark Plug Wires about 15k miles ago. I have ordered a replacement set of Accel Spark Plug Wires and will be replacing them when I do the Compression Check. Similarly, I will check the condition of the Spark Plugs at this time as well.
- Thermostat: Replaced about 500 miles ago with a Prestone "OEM" thermostat. Coolant was changed at the same time. Coolant had some mineral deposits in it. This was replaced before this when the Lifters were replaced (at least, I HOPE they point new Coolant in).
- Oil & Filter: Replaced about 500 miles ago with Mobil 1 Oil and a Motorcraft filter. The explorer burns little if any oil (burned about 1/2 - 3/4 of a quart over 7k miles). Although, up until now, it has never burned ANY oil, so this might be a point of interest.
My explorer currently has just under 105,000 miles on it. I have noticed a steady drop in performance since about 80 - 85k miles. It had 60k miles on it when I bought it used just over 3 years ago.
Progress will be slow overall for 2 reasons. First, it is the end of my school semester which means lots of projects and very little work, which means money is tight for the next month or so. Secondly, I live in an apartment complex which means I can't just tear my engine down in the parking lot. Where and how I will get the work done, I'm not 100% sure yet, but there are a couple of places I can do it if the need arises.
Any suggestions, information would be greatly appreciated. I am rereading V8BoatBuilders thread with similar issues and doing some side reasearch as well. Overally, my main reason for posting is to hopefully be of help to others with similar issues in the future.
Well, after a little over 3 years of faithful service, my X has finally decided to cause me some problems.
The Background:
Starting about 2 months ago (mid to end of February), I noticed under WOT when the X would shift, I was getting a slight pop from my exhaust. Almost like a backfire, but no where near loud enough. It only happened under WOT as it shifted, so I didn't think much of it.
Flash forward to 2 weeks ago (April 7th - 8th). I took a trip down to my families. Part of the trip was going to include an Oil Change and Coolant/Thermostat change for the X. I noticed when leaving (as did my Fiance, which really indicates how noticeable the issue is) that at WOT and near WOT, up around 4k+ RPM that the I was getting little pops like before, but intermittently from this point on. No problems below 4k RPM, and no problems if at at approximately 1/2 throttle or less... interesting.
Flash forward once more to last week (April 14th). On my way back from a meeting I filled up with gas for a trip to my families the following day. Tank was 1/2 full and I just topped it off. After leaving the gas station I noticed that I was getting the popping with a slight surge at anything over 1/2 throttle. I took a 3 minute trip over to the bank to deposit my paycheck. Upon leaving and getting back into the car (maybe 10 minutes later), had a hard time starting the explorer, and when I finally did, it seemed to be missing slightly at idle. Between the bank and home (approximately 1 1/2 miles) the X went from running OK to running horribly. Starting sputtering and shaking at lights, popping under any load, and constantly feeling like it was ready to stall at any moment.
That's where I am at now. I have driven the car 3 times since then out of necessity. All trips were less than 4 miles (2 miles each way). And each time, the X has had the last results, barely running, sputtering, popping under acceleration, etc...
Things I have Checked:
- A vacuum test this morning noted Vacuum steady at 20.5 at warm idle, with a slight fluctuation from 20.5 to 20 every once and while. The drop corresponded with a "sucking" sound from under the hood. This may have been the IAC Valve increased the RPM slightly. Other than that, its rock steady (even with the engine missing).
- Fuel Pressure test was done by Pep Boys (I originally thought it was an FPR or Fuel Pump, glad I had them test it first). Fuel pressure was 32 PSI at idle, 40 PSI at WOT and 40 PSI with the vacuum hose removed. There was no indication of any fuel in the FPR Vacuum hose line.
- So far, there has been no CEL thrown. We'll see if that continues.
Next Steps:
- Compression test (just received the compression tester last night). I'm hoping this will shed some light. Depending on what this returns, I will most likely next have to do a leak down test.
- OBD-2 Test. I am planning on ordering an AutoTap setup with the Enhanced Ford data to see what's going on with all the sensors (and more importantly, what the computer thinks is going on).
Things Replaced Recently:
- Lifters & Upper Gaskets: Replaced about 25k ago by Ford. 3 of the Lifters had collapsed and I had an extended warranty, so Ford replaced these. I was a bit concerned as they quoted me 3 days minimum time and had the job done in approximately 1 done. Although this was the 10th time I had taken it to them for the same issue.
- Ignition Coils: Replaced with Accel coils about 15k miles ago.
- Spark Plugs: Replaced with MotorCraft Double Platinums about 15k miles ago.
- Spark Plug Wires: Replaced with Borg Warner Spark Plug Wires about 15k miles ago. I have ordered a replacement set of Accel Spark Plug Wires and will be replacing them when I do the Compression Check. Similarly, I will check the condition of the Spark Plugs at this time as well.
- Thermostat: Replaced about 500 miles ago with a Prestone "OEM" thermostat. Coolant was changed at the same time. Coolant had some mineral deposits in it. This was replaced before this when the Lifters were replaced (at least, I HOPE they point new Coolant in).
- Oil & Filter: Replaced about 500 miles ago with Mobil 1 Oil and a Motorcraft filter. The explorer burns little if any oil (burned about 1/2 - 3/4 of a quart over 7k miles). Although, up until now, it has never burned ANY oil, so this might be a point of interest.
My explorer currently has just under 105,000 miles on it. I have noticed a steady drop in performance since about 80 - 85k miles. It had 60k miles on it when I bought it used just over 3 years ago.
Progress will be slow overall for 2 reasons. First, it is the end of my school semester which means lots of projects and very little work, which means money is tight for the next month or so. Secondly, I live in an apartment complex which means I can't just tear my engine down in the parking lot. Where and how I will get the work done, I'm not 100% sure yet, but there are a couple of places I can do it if the need arises.
Any suggestions, information would be greatly appreciated. I am rereading V8BoatBuilders thread with similar issues and doing some side reasearch as well. Overally, my main reason for posting is to hopefully be of help to others with similar issues in the future.