LMHmedchem
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 28, 2011
- Messages
- 662
- Reaction score
- 118
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer XLT v8
Hello,
I recently replaced my spark plugs on my 2002 4.6L v8 and afterwords noticed that my rpms were higher than I remember when moving from a complete stop or accelerating from low speeds. I notice that my rpms jump up to 2000-2500 when I hit the accelerator. It just seems loose, meaning the truck is not as responsive to the gas pedal as it used to be and there is more delay between stepping on the gas and the truck jumping forward. The engine has to rev up pretty high before I get the power burst. I seem to remember the rpms staying more like 1500 when I hit the gas.
At any rate, I gaped all the plugs correctly, fixed a split elbow in one of the vacuum hoses, and replaced the ERG sensor and hoses because I had a p0401 code. The code is gone, but the rpm problem persists. I'm not sure what to do next because there are no engine codes.
As far as I know, the throttle body has never been cleaned. The engine is up to 140,000 but I don't have any idea about the maintenance before ~85,000 miles. It's possible that is was cleaned before I got it, but I rather doubt it. The outside of the butterfly valve looks perfectly clean. I have wiped it out with a towel and there is nothing there. I suppose I need to remove it and clean it properly. Is there a write up or video floating around on how to do this? Do I need to replace the gasket? What is the cleaner that is recommended? Is there anything else that would normally be replaced when this is done?
Also, it would be nice to know what rpm values other users here are getting with there v8 engines. Maybe I'm just imagining things but the engine just doesn't feel as responsive as it used to. I would have thought that replacing the spark plugs and ERG would have improved performance, so it is a bit disappointing to see the reverse.
If I'm barking up the wrong tree looking at the throttle body, I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.
LMHmedchem
I recently replaced my spark plugs on my 2002 4.6L v8 and afterwords noticed that my rpms were higher than I remember when moving from a complete stop or accelerating from low speeds. I notice that my rpms jump up to 2000-2500 when I hit the accelerator. It just seems loose, meaning the truck is not as responsive to the gas pedal as it used to be and there is more delay between stepping on the gas and the truck jumping forward. The engine has to rev up pretty high before I get the power burst. I seem to remember the rpms staying more like 1500 when I hit the gas.
At any rate, I gaped all the plugs correctly, fixed a split elbow in one of the vacuum hoses, and replaced the ERG sensor and hoses because I had a p0401 code. The code is gone, but the rpm problem persists. I'm not sure what to do next because there are no engine codes.
As far as I know, the throttle body has never been cleaned. The engine is up to 140,000 but I don't have any idea about the maintenance before ~85,000 miles. It's possible that is was cleaned before I got it, but I rather doubt it. The outside of the butterfly valve looks perfectly clean. I have wiped it out with a towel and there is nothing there. I suppose I need to remove it and clean it properly. Is there a write up or video floating around on how to do this? Do I need to replace the gasket? What is the cleaner that is recommended? Is there anything else that would normally be replaced when this is done?
Also, it would be nice to know what rpm values other users here are getting with there v8 engines. Maybe I'm just imagining things but the engine just doesn't feel as responsive as it used to. I would have thought that replacing the spark plugs and ERG would have improved performance, so it is a bit disappointing to see the reverse.
If I'm barking up the wrong tree looking at the throttle body, I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.
LMHmedchem
