Engine dies driving down the Highway

[BlueHell]

Ok guys I need some help! I just bought a 2000 explorer awd 5.0, and was driving from Denver back home to Albuquerque. I made it to Colorado Springs and it started to act like the TPS was going bad, I would give it gas and it wouldn't respond. Then it would kick in and go again. This was in rush hour traffic. Once I got out of traffic it was fine for awhile. It then started to do it again if I hit any kind of hill. It would do it going up or down hill, then about 30 south of Pueblo it finally wouldn't do anything if I step on the gas pedal. I caught a ride back into Pueblo and bought a TPS sensor and an IAC sensor. I replaced the TPS and the IAC on the side of the freeway. It started up and I ran for another 50 miles before I had to climb a very steep mountain pass. I made it up the pass , but on the way down it did it again. I'm thinking that the catalytic converters are clogged to the point of chocking the engine when they get really hot. Does that sound right to anybody? Does anybody have any other suggestions? Thanks for any advice, Sorry for being so long winded.

 

[Turdle]

I have a gut feeling the problem is fuel related. Could be the fuel pump relay, but I suspect the fuel pump. Did you replace the fuel filter?

 

[BlueHell]

I crawled under it when I got home and it looks like a new fuel filter was put in by the previous owner at some point. I will check/replace the relay today. It has almost a full tank of gas so I need to burn some of that off before I try to drop the tank to replace fuel pump.

 

[BlueHell]

I think I found the problem,(fingers crossed) I checked the spark plugs and found that the previous owner had installed Bosch Platinum 4 plugs. The center electrode was missing on 4 of the eight plugs!

 

[charles20473]

i have a ford explorer 1997 it flloding out and shutting off , its hard to crank afterswoods and some black smoke came out of the exhaust ...............i need help on repairing it ...........

 

[4rd Xplora]

I think I found the problem,(fingers crossed) I checked the spark plugs and found that the previous owner had installed Bosch Platinum 4 plugs. The center electrode was missing on 4 of the eight plugs!

Two quick questions. Did you get a check engine light first? And Is the new filter installed flowing in the right direction?

 

[BlueHell]

No check engine light at all, and yes the fuel filter is installed to flow in the right direction.

 

[4rd Xplora]

Just seems like you would have gotten a multiple missfires code set with that many plugs out before it died. But if you replaced them and she's running fine, looks like you fixed it. Congrats.

 

[Turdle]

More Bosch "Joy" ---or lack of

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389244&highlight=bosch

 

[BlueHell]

Oh yes! More Bosch "Joy" for sure. I have taken several trips around town at this point without any further issues. So I continue to think that was the problem.

 

[jremington59]

If you have access to a fuel pressure tester it might be a good idea just to see what it is for the heck of it.

 

[BlueHell]

I have a friend who is a master tech at a local Ford dealer, I'm going to check with him on the fuel pressure tester.

 

[fsumotorhead]

I had this same issue in my '96 4L. Also no codes. The engine would idle, but wouldn't respond to throttle, until it hit WOT, but didn't have enough torque to drive.

Turned out to be the airfilter fell apart and the pieces were all lodged against the MAF.

Cleaned it all out and replaced the filter, no issues since.

 

[BlueHell]

Wow, that was an easy fix for you!

 

[Flash]

i have a ford explorer 1997 it flloding out and shutting off , its hard to crank afterswoods and some black smoke came out of the exhaust ...............i need help on repairing it ...........

You'd be better off starting a new thread.

I think that sounds like your injectors are leaking.
Time for a service or replacement.