Jim Jermain
Active Member
- Joined
- February 20, 2006
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Madison, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 00 XLS
I have a '00 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV. I've been chasing a rough idle at cold start for two years. After about 30 seconds the truck runs great. I've changed just about everything possible (plugs, wires, upper & lower intake gaskets, IAC solenoid, TPS, EGR solenoid, fuel filter, fuel injector, injector o-rings). I've checked the fuel pressure, I've checked compression, and vacuum. I've also sea-foamed the engine and cleaned the Mass Air sensor.
I am losing some coolant with no visible signs of external loss. I do occasionally post a cylinder 3 misfire. I also noticed when I tried to remove the number three plug the threads were coated with a black hard substance. It didn't look like oil, more like carbon. On one of the posts I read about sliding a small cotton rope into the cylinder to see if it comes out with any signs of coolant. I did not see any signs of coolant after letting it sit overnight.
I've read a lot about leaking head gaskets and cracked heads on these engines. Any suggestions on whether my coolant loss and rough idle might be associated with a cracked head or bad gasket? Any tips on how to confirm?
Thanks,
Jim
I am losing some coolant with no visible signs of external loss. I do occasionally post a cylinder 3 misfire. I also noticed when I tried to remove the number three plug the threads were coated with a black hard substance. It didn't look like oil, more like carbon. On one of the posts I read about sliding a small cotton rope into the cylinder to see if it comes out with any signs of coolant. I did not see any signs of coolant after letting it sit overnight.
I've read a lot about leaking head gaskets and cracked heads on these engines. Any suggestions on whether my coolant loss and rough idle might be associated with a cracked head or bad gasket? Any tips on how to confirm?
Thanks,
Jim