Engine running 'loud' and reduced mileage

[Tim K]

I had been looking for an Explorer website for a while and was excited to come across this one...hopefully I can learn alot here....

Let me preface by saying that I don't know much about engines and such, so any problems I have I assume I will have to take to a mechanic...but I'd like some advice anyway....

I have a few 'concerns' with my 97 XLT (82,000mi)

1) it has been Idling loudly, and the engine runs alot louder than it used to especially after start-up.

2) My transmission seems to upshift alot later than I feel it should be.

3) I have slightly reduced gas mileage. I asked one mechanic about the mileage drop and his answer was "in the winter, Fuel companies oxygenate the gasoline to burn cleaner but this results in reduced gas mileage". Is there any truth to this? It sounds feasible, but I have learned not to listen to much of what mechanics tell me.


I have followed all of the recommended maintenance and such. I am just wondering what can be done to get my Explorer running more like new. Tune-up?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Tbanks!

 

[SteveVB]

Tim, welcome to the site, it is full of information.

I dont know about the first two questions- need a little more info. What kind of noises? where?. When does the trans shift? What RPM? Throttle opening? Etc. Makes it easier for people to help you out.

Your mechanic is telling the truth. The oxygenated gas reduces power and mileage from 5-7%, in DC we use it from Nov. to March and you most certainly can tell the difference.

Welcome and good luck

 

[Tim K]

the temp guage seems to be fine...

as far as RPM's go...

When I first start the Engine it idles at about 1600 RPM...after it runs for a few minutes and the oil gets flowing it drops to about 1100 RPM. After driving for a while the Engine will then Idle at about 800 RPM. My real complaint about engine noise is at highway/cruising speeds. I used to be able to have a conversation while driving without a problem, but now the engine sound seems quite a bit louder making conversation a bit more tricky.

While driving, upshifts typically occur at about 2800 RPM which doesn't seem too bad, except for if I am accelerating hard the upshift from 3rd-4th seems to happen at closer to 3300 RPM. The biggest complaint I have is with Overdrive/5th kicking in. If I accelerate to about 50-55mph and cruise at that speed, alot of times the trans will stay in 4th and run at 3000+ RPM. I have to pull back on the gas pedal to get it to go into 5th.

 

[forbyfiev]

Try checking the exhaust manifold bolts. If they're not torqued right, the engine will be louder and cause reduced power and mileage.
JB

 

[Nonoy]

That might be a vaccum leak (manifold O-ring). I have a 1997 SOH and the start up idle was terrible and noticed that the engine was loud. There's a current recall. I suggest you bring it to the dealer. They fixed mine for free including the camshaft tensioner.

 

[Tim K]

When I had it in for inspection last week I asked the dealer about the recalls...they checked my VIN and claimed none applied to me...I will call Ford this week to double check on that.

 

[Rhett]

That's right about the "winter gas"...as an example I am only going to get about 200 miles on this tank, whereas I usually get 240 miles.

Your truck's rpm figures seem a little high for a 4.0L OHV engine to me. Even if you have a SOHC V6 that still seems high to me. I think most here get 600-700 rpm at idle once the engine is warmed up. It shouldn't take "a few minutes" for it to warm up, unless you're in Minnesota and it's -10 degF.

Here in Missouri it has been very cold (commonly single digits in the morning) and even so my Explorer will start up and rev at about 1100 rpm for maybe 30 seconds to a minute, and then reduce down to 800 rpm for a minute, and finally to 600-700 rpm, and no longer than 2 minutes.

I would take it to a mech and have then run the computer codes to see if your O2 sensors, EGR, and other things are normal.

 

[ksaldibar]

I don't know much about Explorers, but I have one. I read in my owners manual, that if your front locking hubs are engauged, and you aren't in 4x4, it will increase engine noise, tire wear, and gas consumption. I don't know if this is your problem, but Good luck.