i need some help on my ford explorer 4.0l

[extrmndor3]

hi,

i have a 1996 ford explorer 1996, and i suffering for bad and i mean BAD gas mileage, im gettin not even 5 miles per gallon. it has new fuel filter, and a k,n drop in air filter. i put like 2 gallons and it will not last not even 5 miles, and i need serious help about this.

if u could tell me how to improve my gas mileage i will appreciated, and it might be my fuel injectors????

i cant even go out like before because the truck its taking all the money away from me to the pump..




and sometimes when i drive too long the 4x4 and the awd light flashes. i dont know why i got my transmission rebuilded like a month ago.


also my explorer its slow and yeah super slow. any helpful tips to improve the ride?? like more accelarating and stuff????


thanks if u can answer my question.

 

[TedJ]

Is your check engine light on?

-Ted

 

[Tbars4]

and even if it isn't on, get your codes checked at like shultz, autozone, for free....you might have a bad bulb

 

[Bmwz389]

Try running SeaFoam through the front end of the throttle body. Or even through the Brake Booster. It'll help throttle response and improve idle.

Also, run it through your injectors (gas tank).

Get better octane rating. Like Regular and Premium, because ethanol vaporizes so quick you get bad gas milage out of it (long story short).

Clean your IAC and MAFS. Napa has a magnetic 1/4" T20 Security Torx bit for like 2 bucks.

Run a recharge through your K&N drop in if it looks dirty. They sell it at Autozone for like 20 bucks or so...

Try reading Aldive's Quest for 30. I haven't read it, but I hear it has good tips.

I heard clogged cats can cause sluggish engines and bad mileage.

Change your spark plugs and wires.

I got better performance just out of cleaning my MAFS and running regular. I'm not sure if I should run premium next to see how much difference it feels.

You could get a KKM Open-elemnt filter system (or build your own). I've been wanting to build my own but it's a hassle finding the right size MAFS adapter and Conical cone. That, I hear, gets you more to the seat power and throttle response. I think K&N systmes make an FIPK system?. I have a 92 so I'm not sure. Do a search.

You could get a new exhaust system to get better flow and milage. Do a search on these as well.

Both of those will cost you pennies. So do the smaller cheaper things first to see where you get.

There are tutorials for every sinlge one of these I've listed I'm sure.


SeaFoam Treatment:

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186452

^ Not the same generation, but it might be similar. If not, do a search.

Cleaning your MAFS (Mass Air Flow Sensor):

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154711&highlight=cleaning+mafs

Cleaning your IAC (Idle Air Controler):

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84220&highlight=cleaning+IAC

Aldive's Quest:

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&highlight=quest+mpg


Regular maintenance is also key. Keep up on oil changes.


Good luck!

- Brandon

 

[extrmndor3]

we.. i already did the cleaning of the idle valve and it helped alot...

then i cleaned my throttle body and it helped lil bit..


wat it really did a diference was that i changed my pcv valve it helped my mileage and the idle its runs very smoothly butstill feels like its lackign alto of power...

wat more can be done to increase fuel economy and wat to do for better performance since the explorer its alil slow..

 

[Bmwz389]

Swap to V8 and tranny

 

[Nebraska Ranger]

Fuel Injectors

My "99" 3.0L had many of the same problems you have described, and it turned out for me, that it was the fuel injectors causing all the problems, I have been told by Ford the Average Life Expectancy of a fuel injector is about 75,000 miles.

I dont know if that holds true or not, but I replaced all 6 injectors myself, the power my engine had came back, along with that, good fuel mileage, and a better, smoother idle. something to think about.
Good Luck

 

[extrmndor3]

So I Can Swap A 5.0l To My 4.0l Engine??


Wat Does It Need To Bemodified??

Like Only Engine And Computer Or The Computer Works For Both Engines??

 

[Bmwz389]

Ohh god, I have no clue where to start with the swp. There are thousands of threads about swap's. I think there are a couple of diaries about swaps. Search, cause I have no idea. I wanted to a while back, but I didn't/ still don't have the money. I do like the comments I have heard about the 5.0 tranny. I hear its magical compared to the A4LD...

 

[michael thomas]

I had a problem of bad gas milage and i have taken out my 4.0 engine and i am putting in a diesel 3.5 from a mazda truck i am still retaining the explorers tranny .
When i get it working i will let you know how it is responding.

 

[extrmndor3]

oh thanks dude

 

[dollardriven]

I got a 91 4.0 litre I inherited and am restoring/rebuilding. It was owned by a relative whos idea of maintainace was to fix it when it fell off. It ran awful and gas mileage was in gallons per mile. I changed the plugs,wires air filter, new muffler and pipes and resonator,changed tranny fluid and filter, seafoamed the oil and gas (twice) new battery and cables,new water pump, radiator and heater hoses, new front and rear shocks,re-charged air conditoner, degreased and power washed enigine and underside of chassis, replaced most of the vacum hoses. New belt. It was a solid engine, didn't burn oil. Now she runs good. Think I have about $1000 bucks invested so far... not including a first class new sound system and XM radio. Point being was that the basics made a BIG difference in how she ran for a relatively small investment in money and a big investment in time.

 

[Gator Jeff]

michael...are you posting this swap on another thread. I would love to go the diesel option when my 4.0 OHV dies. (hopefully not for another 200-300K though!)

 

[schmidlkofer]

diesel would be neat.....

 

[michael thomas]

well i am still working on the project of converting to diesel .
we had a bit of rain and that has slowed me down plus i am only a saturday mechanic since i have a full time job as a judicial officer which keeps me really busy but i am committed to the project.
the locals are all watching and waiting to see if it will work that keeps me going .
I will post the pics when it is done which will be by end of June all things being equal .

 

[michael thomas]

Gator Jeff
Dont get me wrong the explorers engine was super on power but the gas consumption is very bad .
That is the reason for the swap project.l

 

[michael thomas]

I know i promised to host the pics to my swap but the machine shop is really holding me up iwll say that the guy does good work but he is slow since he is somewhat of a pefectionist and he wants to do everything right the first time .
well i have to wait but from the look of things it is going to be a neat fit stay tuned for the imformation.

 

[extrmndor3]

no problem bro juzz keep us updated

 

[Vinniety]

My "99" 3.0L had many of the same problems you have described, and it turned out for me, that it was the fuel injectors causing all the problems, I have been told by Ford the Average Life Expectancy of a fuel injector is about 75,000 miles.

I dont know if that holds true or not, but I replaced all 6 injectors myself, the power my engine had came back, along with that, good fuel mileage, and a better, smoother idle. something to think about.
Good Luck

Where did you get the new injectors from?

 

[410Fortune]

Nobody ever told him to check his fuel pressure?

Just drop in a V8?

Clean the MAS
Check fuel pressure
reset computer

pull codes
check cat converter visual/flow test