Engine Stalls

[gonehome]

My 1999 XLT V6 4.0 sohc Explorer will start but runs very rough and stalls as soon as its put in gear . Or if it idles for 5 min. it will stall out . The engine has 180,000 mi. It ran great the day before.
The car was towed to a Ford dealer Dec.23 they still have it . The estamate for repair started at $ 700 and is now at $ 2600 and climbing. They have not been able to repair it . They say it is running very rich and I thought the same because of a strong gasoline smell from the exhaust. So far they have replaced the following . Fuel pump , fuel filter , DPFE , o2 senser , spark plugs and PCM . They also cleaned the fuel injection and checked for blockage in the exhaust system. Now they are going to check the valve train and Timing chains. Has anyone had this problem ? What repair was needed?
Thanks , gonehome

 

[AtlantaViking]

Is it only rough idling or at any point in the rev range?

In other words if you can feather the gas enough to keep it above idle and it runs ok then I think the problem may be the idle air controller. Its about $100. However, if its rough across the rev range - throw that idea out the window.

 

[synyster]

if it is the iac instead of buying a new one you could try to clean it......

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84220

 

[gonehome]

thanks for the response. It is across the entire range.

 

[2000StreetRod]

ECT sensor

If the engine coolant temperature sensor is reporting the engine cold when it is warmed up then the Air/Fuel mixture will be rich. The IAC valve can impact the engine speed but not the A/F ratio. A bad O2 sensor will only impact the A/F ratio after the PCM goes from open loop to closed loop. A defective MAF sensor can report incorrect data to the PCM resulting in a rich or lean A/F ratio. A compression test should be able to determine if the timing and valve train is functional. A fuel pressure test would determine if the intank fuel pump and pressure regulator are performing within specification. Your dealer should be able to test the ECT sensor and the MAF sensor with a scanner. It sounds like the dealer is not using comprehensive diagnostic equipment and procedures and is merely replacing possible parts instead of determining the source of the problem.

 

[gonehome]

Street rod , I agree it seems something is not quite right and their trouble shooting is off or made up stories . I dont know what to do but I would like the problem found. I have enough sense to know a compression test is needed. They must be unable to figure it out . I guess.
thanks for the info, gonehome Has anybody had a problem like this and found the cause . I did tell them yesterday to check the sensors you mentioned . Im waiting to hear back