engine has a miss

[stretch_23]

i have a 97 5.0 mountaineer that idles smooth but you can hear a miss when accelerating and it lacks in power any ideas?

 

[section525]

When was the last time you've done plugs and wires?

 

[stretch_23]

its got new plugs wires i dont know about i just bought it last weekend i cleened the iac and maf sensor

 

[Turdle]

Check engine light on?

If not, change the plugs and wires. I don't trust the sellers word they are new. Even if they are, You have a dead cylinder and this is the first place to start.

 

[stretch_23]

check engine light is not on but i dont think it works it doesnt come on when u turn on the ignition like most vehicles do

 

[Turdle]

ok take it to autozone and have them check the codes.
Write them all down--be specific that you want the entire code number and description.
Do not let them sell you any parts. Post your codes up once you have them

Also-
there is a how to thread for changing the cluster bulbs on the forum.

 

[stretch_23]

ok thx

 

[stretch_23]

i hooked to scan tool today it had three codes
po401 exhaust gas recirculation insufficient ordered a egr valve
po133 02 sensor slow respose bank one
po153 02 sensor slow response bank two

are these common problems with these and is there a certain reason for them to go bad or just neglect from previous owner

 

[Turdle]

You may indeed have slow upstream 02 sensors.

The egr code is rarely caused by a bad egr valve-the usual culprit is a hole in the passenger side exhaust manifold, a hole in a dpfe hose, or the dpfe sensor itself being bad.

However, I would still recommend new plugs and wires.

The "mis" you feel, is it a ticking noise by chance? does it increase with load?

 

[stretch_23]

yes there is a ticking noise and the harder you press the accel the worse it gets

what is the dpfe and where is it located

 

[Turdle]

OK
Forget the egr and dpfe--
you have a cracked exhaust manifold which is causing all your issues. It is very common on later 97 and 98 v8 trucks with the "tubular" headers.

Now is the time to invest in Torquemonster headers


If you cannot afford them, this is the economy fix

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289287

edit just to be sure--
look on the passenger side exhaust manifold for an EGR tube-it is a 1/2" diameter metal tube with some accordion folds in the bend--

 

[stretch_23]

i do not have a egr tube on my manifold the date on the valve cover is 9-18-96 does that mean it is the gt40 instead of the gt40 p if so which one is better thx for any info

 

[turboexplorer]

The GT40P heads flow a little better. And do what turdle says and do the exhaust manifolds they aren't bad at all and made a huge difference in my truck power and fuel eco. Also no more tick tick tick as you drive down the road! The leak makes the 02 sensors freak out and cause even more problems.