Check Engine Light

[koda2000]

Guys--we're getting off topic and into PM material.

you're right. sorry.

 

[1992fordgreen]

I'll guess the left rear tire is low on air.

Bill

I was just waiting for this...

Nice Explorer, Dave.

 

[NWwoman]

OK, Boys, I'm back!

I got into a shop in town where I'm acquainted with the owner and he didn't have time to fuss with SUV at the moment but he did run the codes (free/so nice) and said it's two banks of P0171 & P0174/running lean. Said something about 02 sensor(s)(?) and he checked for some kinds of leak and found none. Turned off CEL. We talked about me coming back when I can book an appointment, which I'll do -- unless one of you handy dandy fellows wants to marry this widow pretty quickly and have his first honey do: Go look at my beautiful explorer! lol...

I've been driving my F150. But today, did a quick 4 miler down a gravel road to a friends home with the Explorer -- no return of the CEL yet -- but oh my, the gas mileage is AWFUL. It was awful before but ran between 17-20... I gasped -- yes gasped (no laughing) -- when I saw it read 13.5. Good God. That's awful. I get better on the horse!

So... first -- correction to my earlier words -- timing belt wasn't repaired earlier. it was the serpentine belt -- oil change/filters done recently too.


Anybody have advice on what's the first least expensive thing to start repairing with -- before I have to buy Exxon?

Hey, if anyone gets it right..you can come hunt here next season! I have some great places that require permission.....and I have the permission... )

Or its cookies by mail.....

 

[jremington59]

Is it running rough when it's cold and first started? I wouldn't do anything unless the light comes back. If it does I'd start by cleaning the MAF sensor with cleaner. After that if it continues I'd check the intake gaskets for leaks.

 

[NWwoman]

but but ,,I have some guns and a hot 5.0 explorer with no check engine light that I would let you drive!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

I know..a cheap excuse to post my baby! lol

oh and I have two 4wd 4 wheelers!
We could really drag some deer!

Show what???? down boy...

I chuckled about the dragging deer thing. Made me think about what happened here couple of Saturday's ago. We have some pretty nasty 30 mile stretches of very steep (imagine very steep and then make it steeper, add rocks and snakes and slippery grass and add a few perpetually PMS'ng badgers) canyons that fill an area from this plateau all the way down to a rather significant river. Well, two fellows came to hunt with me/stay at my place (meaning they wanted to be fed by a woman..lol) and they went into that canyon to get their bucks, min. 3 points req'd here. I shook my head. Shooting is easy. Getting it out is another story. Well, sure enough they got a 4x4 that came in at about 230-250 pounds. Huge beast. They looked up and decided they weren't bringing it back up -- and guess who had the truck? me!

They of course went down..only it's a b*tch. Took them 5 1/2 hours to get the critter down...and they nearly gave up..no water/no food.

But the best part is coming.

They got to an area where they simply could not walk and haul deer. Did they quarter it? Nope. Instead, they kicked it to get it rolling down the sheer rocks, which it most certainly did...legs up, legs down, legs up, legs down. Now imagine the carcass.

I told them at least the meat was tenderized.

They hit the river -- 30 mile jaunt downhill these boys did with their deer -- and in front of a road full of other hunters and anglers (steelhead season here) ...they stripped naked and jumped into the river. The road of people let out a roar of laughter and clapping.

Boy, do I love the country. You don't see this happening in the city!

And that's my story..and I'm sticking with it..

 

[NWwoman]

Is it running rough when it's cold and first started? I wouldn't do anything unless the light comes back. If it does I'd start by cleaning the MAF sensor with cleaner. After that if it continues I'd check the intake gaskets for leaks.

It's cold here -- snowed today -- but nope, it's not running rough. Started up and purred like a kitty. But the gas consumption is what's catching my eye. It seems to be going south pretty quickly. Two weeks ago, it was 16 and I was complaining because it's usually between 17-20. But today, it was lower than I have ever seen it...at 13.5 -13.6. So something's def. wrong. Tires are near new/properly inflated.

Is the MAF sensor something I can easily do? If so, can you give me some clues on where to find it? What it looks like? And what do I clean it with? I'm pretty good at cleaning!

What about that fuel injector cleaning stuff? Worth trying?

Oh and here's my F150 and a nice view of our countryside..

 

[jremington59]

The MAFS is located in the air intake tube next to the box holding the air filter. Take it off and spray it off with MAF cleaner. Don't touch the filaments. Here's a list of possible causes. 14 MPG on a 4 mile ride with a cold engine is normal. I'd worry if it stayed there on highway driving. Its getting colder out so the mileage will drop.


A code P0171 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
•The MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor is dirty or faulty
Note: The use of "oiled" air filters may cause the MAF to become dirty if the filter is over-oiled. There is also an issue with some vehicles where the MAF sensors leak the silicone potting material used to protect the circuitry.
•There could be a vacuum leak downstream of the MAF sensor
•Possible cracked vacuum or PCV line/connection
•Faulty or stuck open PCV valve
•Failed or faulty oxygen sensor (bank 1, sensor 1)
•Sticking/plugged or failed fuel injector
•Low fuel pressure (possible plugged/dirty fuel filter!)
•Exhaust leak between engine and first oxygen sensor

Possible Solutions

A lot of times, cleaning the MAF sensor and finding/fixing vacuum leaks fix the problem. If you're on a tight budget, start there, but that may not be the fix for certain. So, possible solutions include:
•Clean the MAF sensor. Consult your service manual for it's location if you need help. I find it's best to take it off and spray it with electronics cleaner or brake cleaner. Make sure you are careful not to damage the MAF sensor, and make sure it's dry before reinstalling
•Inspect all vacuum and PCV hoses, replace/repair as required
•Inspect all hoses and connections in the air intake system
•Inspect and/or test the intake manifold gaskets for leakage
•Check for a dirty fuel filter and proper fuel pressure
•Ideally you'll want to monitor short and long term fuel trims using an advanced scan tool
•If you have access, you may want to run a smoke test

 

[NWwoman]

Problem is that current gallons per mile is not normal for this vehicle. It dropped a gallon last Thursday. Sunday it dropped another gallon. And last night it hit the 13.5 gallons per mile.

Up until six months ago, I've never seen her drop below 19 anytime. Ran at 20-21 mpg 95 percent of the time and my main travel is gravel or long two-lane roads. Closest freeway is 85 miles away.

This decline in miles per gallon started about six months ago when a hesitation was concurrently noticed just once in a while when accelerating from stop. Didn't happen enough to make me stop and attend to it.

Thanks much for the advice you've given. Appreciate it!!

The MAFS is located in the air intake tube next to the box holding the air filter. Take it off and spray it off with MAF cleaner. Don't touch the filaments. Here's a list of possible causes. 14 MPG on a 4 mile ride with a cold engine is normal. I'd worry if it stayed there on highway driving. Its getting colder out so the mileage will drop.


A code P0171 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
•The MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor is dirty or faulty
Note: The use of "oiled" air filters may cause the MAF to become dirty if the filter is over-oiled. There is also an issue with some vehicles where the MAF sensors leak the silicone potting material used to protect the circuitry.
•There could be a vacuum leak downstream of the MAF sensor
•Possible cracked vacuum or PCV line/connection
•Faulty or stuck open PCV valve
•Failed or faulty oxygen sensor (bank 1, sensor 1)
•Sticking/plugged or failed fuel injector
•Low fuel pressure (possible plugged/dirty fuel filter!)
•Exhaust leak between engine and first oxygen sensor

Possible Solutions

A lot of times, cleaning the MAF sensor and finding/fixing vacuum leaks fix the problem. If you're on a tight budget, start there, but that may not be the fix for certain. So, possible solutions include:
•Clean the MAF sensor. Consult your service manual for it's location if you need help. I find it's best to take it off and spray it with electronics cleaner or brake cleaner. Make sure you are careful not to damage the MAF sensor, and make sure it's dry before reinstalling
•Inspect all vacuum and PCV hoses, replace/repair as required
•Inspect all hoses and connections in the air intake system
•Inspect and/or test the intake manifold gaskets for leakage
•Check for a dirty fuel filter and proper fuel pressure
•Ideally you'll want to monitor short and long term fuel trims using an advanced scan tool
•If you have access, you may want to run a smoke test