boggs and misses under a load.

[Winterbeater94]

Well it is hitting the 199k mark very soon to be 200k. Problem started last week it seamed like it may have been the fuel filter so i changed that out. As far as i know it was the original motorcraft on there was not pretty inside. What it was doing was from a dead stop as soon as you would romp on it it would putt and spudder and miss like it was not getting any fuel. Changed the fuel filter and was all better. Now about a week later making my weekly 240 mile trip through the mountains of PA the old boy can hardly make it up the mountains.

This is the issue.
drive nice and slow with no inclines the car is fine. Once the car is put on a load it pops and spudders and loses power. I have to let off and let the car come out of OD then i can get back on it gently and it will gain back power and slowly accelerate back to normal speed say 65 mph. It loses all power going up hill and I cant keep with the speed i have to let it crawl and take its time.

Ruled out fuel filter
The fuel pump turns on and is loud like it has always been.
pulled codes earlier before trip home this evening and got
124, 172, 536. Engine running only got 116 but the car was warmed up. I cleared them before my 240 mile trip home tonight. And the cel came on once. Will have to check whats new in the am.

I have my ideas but not to sure.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Sounds like a clogged catalytic converter.

 

[Winterbeater94]

That's what i'm thinking and hope for.

 

[Winterbeater94]

Well that is not the issue gutted the cats and its still doing it? go figure. pulled the codes this morning and all I get now is 124 car off, and 116 still with it warmed up running.

 

[CodePoet]

Had a similar issue with mine, ran real rough couldn't even get up my driveway. Changed the fuel filter no change. Then i replaced the plugs and wires and it purred like a milk drunk kitten. So...when was the last time you change the plugs and wires

 

[Winterbeater94]

2 years ago. I was thinking that but it seams to run ok unless I floor it. Guess I can through in some new autolites.

I did how ever find a broken vacuum line it attached to the black plastic tube above the AC controlls are. What is that? I put a new hose on with a screw in it and taped it up.

 

[1991explorerEB]

its probably your coil pack.

 

[Winterbeater94]

Guess the fun starts. Time to change parts yay

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Check your fuel pressure under load. I also had a similar issue where the dealership thought it was the cats, but turned out it was the fuel pump. It had enough flow to maintain under idle and no load revving, but under a load it couldn't keep up with the fuel demands. Ended up getting a free set of new cats out of the deal. usually the fuel pump just craps out completely, but on rare occasions, it slowly dies. Could also be crap clogging the inlet inside the tank too.

 

[FORD SUV GUY]

Had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM on my "94" XLT. Like already mentioned check the fuel pressure. Mine was WAY LOW, didnt matter if it was under load or ideling, it was noticeably low on the pressure gauge. Had same symptoms, started, ran, drove ok till you came to an uphill grade. Then it wld do all you have described. Changed my fuel pump and no more problem. Dosent me its your problem, so a little trouble shooting is still recommended.

 

[Winterbeater94]

Hmmm I guess its hit and miss with all this crap but, I feel it might be an ignition issue just for the simple fact that when it rains out and I start the car for the first time in the AM it always sounds like it is running on 4 cylinders. I always hop in and just drive, it works its way out down the block and rides like a champ.

 

[rfields109]

I just went through the same exact thing, it was the fuel pump, I had to replace an Airtex that I put in last May and it was driven less than a 1000 miles. It wasn't dead it wasn't reaching proper operating pressure. So the pressure actually dropped as accelerator was pushed.

I bought a fuel pressure test gauge at Harbor freight for $25 and was able to find it

 

[MrShorty]

I'm going to add another voice encouraging you to actually check the fuel pressure.

Are we intentionally ignoring the codes you are getting? According to my code list, the 124 has to be a CM code. Is it passing (111) the KOEO test (the first set of codes)?

The usual reason for a KOER 116 is a cold engine, but you seem reasonably sure that the engine was warmed up for the tests. What temperature is the ECT reading (it's a simple thermistor, so it should be pretty easy to verify temperature with a voltmeter? Is it reasonable? Are you sure the thermostat is working properly so the engine can fully warm up?

CM 124 points to some problem with the TPS circuit. TPS is a simple potentiometer, and also should be easy to test with a voltmeter. The main thing to look for is "flat spots" or opens at certain places in the throttle's motion.

 

[Winterbeater94]

its passing 111. and i'm getting code 124 yes and I know its a TPS issue. As far as i know the engine was hot from a 20 min ride or at least it should be. Unfortunately I no longer have my fluke voltmeter, so trying to trouble shoot electrical issues is near impossible for me. This is not fun. I'll see if i can some how get a hold of a fuel pressure gauge tomorrow, hopefully auto zone rents them out. Cause i'm not buying one this explorer is not going to become a sponge.

 

[Currency]

Any vehicle you own will cost money at some point. If your not willing to spend a little now, it may end up costing you money down the road. Looks like you have put alot into that Probe, come to think of it, I've seen one probe in my town in the past five years.

My explorer is at 209k miles and runs great other than a couple of issues. Most will be fixed soon but others can wait.

 

[mr cribb]

Any vehicle you own will cost money at some point. If your not willing to spend a little now, it may end up costing you money down the road.

My explorer is at 209k miles and runs great other than a couple of issues. Most will be fixed soon but others can wait.

Agreed... mine is knocking on the door of 211k... still runs good. I have things that should be changed, but until she just refuses to move or another more serious problem emerges, it can wait.

 

[MrShorty]

Unfortunately I no longer have my fluke voltmeter, so trying to trouble shoot electrical issues is near impossible for me. This is not fun. I'll see if i can some how get a hold of a fuel pressure gauge tomorrow, hopefully auto zone rents them out.

IMO, a voltmeter and a fuel pressure gauge are basic diagnostic tools regardless of what vehicle you have. All cars are using electronics more and more (not less and less), so a multimeter is an important diagnostic tool to have. And, as near as I can tell, gasoline engines are going to continue to be fuel injected for years (maybe until the internal combustion engine dissappears), so a fuel pressure gauge is going to also be an important diagnostic tool, no matter what car you are driving. Now, I'm not opposed to borrowing/renting tools in lieu of borrowing them, so that's ok if that's the way you want to pursue this.

I would consider these two tools in particular an investment in your commitment to being a shadetree mechanic.

 

[Winterbeater94]

NAh all's you need is some wrenches and a large lump hammer. I'm just gonna drop the tank a swap out the fuel pump. FPR's diaphragm is not blown so that may be ok. I was getting code 172 so I was running lean. Guess now would be a good time to use my wide band.

 

[FORD SUV GUY]

The fuel pressure regulator is also very easy to test IF you have the diagnostic tools required. IMO your going to be throwing ALOT MORE $ at unneeded parts/repairs then you would have invested in some BASIC diagnostic tools w/that attitude. Just my opinion... G.L

 

[Winterbeater94]

I have been fixing cars since I have been 12 years old, I know what it takes to trouble shoot a car, I'm also a mechanic I know the tools you need. Shouldn't have to explain my self, I'm currently out of work do to the winter season, and I don't exactly have funds to be doing anything while I'm putting my self through school. The fact that I'm not glued to this site every day asking what's this, that and the third, I think is an accomplishment. That Probe with 2 engines swaps and a rebuilt tranny did not get that way by any one's else hands but my own.

Replaced the fuel pump and all is good I can now accelerate up hill once again, and now I no longer have to guess how much fuel is in my tank. Good day