bryannabanks
New Member
- Joined
- April 28, 2009
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- San Diego, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1997 Explorer Sport
This problem has been going on just over a year now.
In January 2008 the check engine light on my 97 Explorer Sport came on reading codes 171 & 174. When I took it in it was recommended that I change the fuel filter to see if that would fix the issue. I also changed the air filter at this time.
Almost a full year later, in December 2008, the check engine light came back on and we got the same codes and this time it was recommended that I have the fuel injectors cleaned and the spark plugs and wires replaced. Went ahead with the fuel injection service, but not the plugs/wires- per my next door neighbor's advice. He's a mechanic and advised that I wait for the light to come back on.
In March I went in (different shop) and was provided with the same codes, this time I was recommended the following: spark plugs and wires replaced, fuel and air filters replaced, all 4 O2 sensors replaced and a fuel injection system cleaning. $1,000+... wow. Obviously not the fuel/air filters or fuel injectors since that had all been done within a year. After some of my own research I was also skeptical that all 4 of my O2 sensors were 100% nonreactive so I took it in for a second opinion.
It turns out there was an upper intake manifold gasket leak causing the O2 sensors to act up so I went ahead and had the gasket replaced. As soon as I got into the car I could feel some increased power upon acceleration (yay) BUT the more I accelerated- upon driving away from the shop this afternoon, mind you- there was a super loud ticking noise coming from under the hood on the drivers side. The sound got much louder and quickened as I accelerated faster. I immediately stopped for a quick test- put the truck in neutral and gave it some gas... absolutely no noise.
Knowing that this noise did not exist before taking it in, I turned around and went right back to the shop. I was told that now I probably have an exhaust manifold leak and that it will need to be resurfaced or the gasket replaced. Apparently the upper intake manifold gasket leak (soundless) masked the sound of the exhaust leak that had been there all along.
Could this really be the case? I'm just a little skeptical only becausethe sound wasn't there before taking it in and I feel like I've done so much to still be having these problems... any help would be appreciated!
In January 2008 the check engine light on my 97 Explorer Sport came on reading codes 171 & 174. When I took it in it was recommended that I change the fuel filter to see if that would fix the issue. I also changed the air filter at this time.
Almost a full year later, in December 2008, the check engine light came back on and we got the same codes and this time it was recommended that I have the fuel injectors cleaned and the spark plugs and wires replaced. Went ahead with the fuel injection service, but not the plugs/wires- per my next door neighbor's advice. He's a mechanic and advised that I wait for the light to come back on.
In March I went in (different shop) and was provided with the same codes, this time I was recommended the following: spark plugs and wires replaced, fuel and air filters replaced, all 4 O2 sensors replaced and a fuel injection system cleaning. $1,000+... wow. Obviously not the fuel/air filters or fuel injectors since that had all been done within a year. After some of my own research I was also skeptical that all 4 of my O2 sensors were 100% nonreactive so I took it in for a second opinion.
It turns out there was an upper intake manifold gasket leak causing the O2 sensors to act up so I went ahead and had the gasket replaced. As soon as I got into the car I could feel some increased power upon acceleration (yay) BUT the more I accelerated- upon driving away from the shop this afternoon, mind you- there was a super loud ticking noise coming from under the hood on the drivers side. The sound got much louder and quickened as I accelerated faster. I immediately stopped for a quick test- put the truck in neutral and gave it some gas... absolutely no noise.
Knowing that this noise did not exist before taking it in, I turned around and went right back to the shop. I was told that now I probably have an exhaust manifold leak and that it will need to be resurfaced or the gasket replaced. Apparently the upper intake manifold gasket leak (soundless) masked the sound of the exhaust leak that had been there all along.
Could this really be the case? I'm just a little skeptical only becausethe sound wasn't there before taking it in and I feel like I've done so much to still be having these problems... any help would be appreciated!
