Intake or Head Gasket?? 4.0 SOHC

[chandler1981]

Hi all, and thanks for reading. I have a question for ya. I own a small car lot in South Carolina and try to do alot of repairs myself to keep costs down.

We traded for a 97 Explorer 4.0 SOHC and it was running a little rough. Other symptoms/problems I noticed after trading include the following:

NO Catalytic converter..
DTC's : P0171...P0174...P0430
Idling low but will not cut off...
Slight hesitation when accelerating...
Worn plugs but nothing terrible...
Could probably suck a basketball through the exhaust pipe! I already lost a dollar bill!

So, after searching for a vacuum leak and no luck finding such, I decided to pull off the upper intake maniflod. I didn't notice any cracks to the plastic. But, I did notice that the number one intake port was dry as a bone... I was confused as to why there was no carbon, fuel, etc; until I noticed a large quantity of antifreeze sitting on the intake valve!

I'm curious how water got on top of the valve? There is no water that runs through the intake on this plastic design to my knowledge. Is it a head problem or what?

I appreciate everyone's help in advance. I hope I can return the favor and help someone else here in return.

 

[chandler1981]

Nobody??

 

[BobWiersema]

Your code P0171 & P0174 are lean bank 1 and 2. That could be a intake leak. Those big O ring type gaskets do tend to fail. Code P0430 is because you dont have a Catalytic converter. As far as the coolant goes, thats a problem. Pulling a head off a SOHC engine is a big pain in the ass. You have to re-time the cam and that requires a special took set. How many miles are on it? Hope you got it cheap.

Bob

 

[chandler1981]

110k on a 1997. I have a total of $30 in it including intake gasket and $10 in fuel.

I knew what the codes were and the reasons, but what I can't seem to find is a way for water to get on TOP of intake valve. I guess the head has to be cracked.

I'm assuming you meant banks 1 & 2?

Thanks for your reply, Bob.

 

[chandler1981]

Is there any way for water to get on top of the inake valve unless the head is cracked? I don't see any way for antifreeze to get into this intake. 4.0 SOHC

Anybody???

 

[shelbygt]

Is there any way for water to get on top of the inake valve unless the head is cracked? I don't see any way for antifreeze to get into this intake. 4.0 SOHC

Anybody???

See my thread we may have similar issues http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271943

 

[BobWiersema]

See my thread we may have similar issues http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271943

Dave, I see you found the thread I was referring to. I think he could be in the same boat here. Chandler1981, we didnt forget about you here.