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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Welcome to the forum! For starters I would clean the MAF...judging from what you said the air filter looked like, the MAF is likely contaminated, and the source of many engine management issues. And replace the spark plugs, assuming they have not been replaced already. Also, I would replace the fuel filter. And replace the air filter again, they are inexpensive, and have an impact on fuel economy. These are all things that need to be done anyway, on a regular basis.
And get on a regular maintenance program. Your truck is a 1997, it needs extra care, front to back.
Best Wishes.
My 5.0 V8 has to have the throttle body periodically cleaned. It builds a little ridge around the flapper that needs to be removed as it will affect the idle. Also, I just had to replace the idle air control valve( IAC). Sometimes they can be cleaned but cleaning wasn't helping anymore. Make sure the valve inside it is free with no build around it.
My 5.0 V8 has to have the throttle body periodically cleaned. It builds a little ridge around the flapper that needs to be removed as it will affect the idle. Also, I just had to replace the idle air control valve( IAC). Sometimes they can be cleaned but cleaning wasn't helping anymore. Make sure the valve inside it is free with no build around it.
Thank you for the advice, I will try this and get back to everyone with another update
Also one more issue I have noticed and forgotten to mention is when accelerating, usually around 2500rpm the engine starts ticking. Is this something that could be fixed by doing the already mentioned maintenance ?
My 5.0 V8 has to have the throttle body periodically cleaned. It builds a little ridge around the flapper that needs to be removed as it will affect the idle. Also, I just had to replace the idle air control valve( IAC). Sometimes they can be cleaned but cleaning wasn't helping anymore. Make sure the valve inside it is free with no build around it.
+1 on this. On my 5.0 the throttle plate starts to stick; you can feel it trying to go from a stop. Same solution as haphop - TB cleaner and a rag. Never had a problem with the IAC, even after 250K+ miles.
