Jerking and Popping sounds. Help?

[BlackroadX]

I have a 1997 AWD V8 explore, 4 door. A few months back I was able to install Torque Monster Headers, and also replaced the spark plug / wires as well. It ran wonderfully, but then recently I have noticed it has been acting up. When I reach about 30-40 mph or over, the car begins to run sluggish and rough and begin jerking, with the additional popping noise that sounds to be coming from under the hood, and sometimes the exhaust.

When idling, it will also shake and rattle abit, popping noises included there as well.

Any suggestions? Thank you for those that pass on information, or thoughts. Sorry if this has been asked as well.

 

[BrianDye]

By jerking, do you mean like misfiring?

 

[BlackroadX]

Yeah. It is misfiring, and it seems to be jerking..like not wanting to actually go until I force the gas down quite abit. Then it will return shortly after it goes away.

 

[BrianDye]

Hm, I dont really know much about the TMH's but I doubt they'd have anything todo with it. My guess would be a bad plug, have you rechecked them all? Possibly a bad wire shorting out, or not pushed down all the way?

 

[BlackroadX]

Yeah. I had them looked at and played with, but with no results. I was hoping it would be plugs or wires, but that does not seem to be the case.

 

[BrianDye]

Any codes being thrown?

 

[BlackroadX]

Nope. Sadly not, atleast then I could see what could possibly be malfunctioning.

 

[celly]

Might be a leaky gasket. I DO have TMH and the gasket between the two pieces on the driver's side has caused me some grief in the past (twice actually). Have a listen with a stethoscope at the junction. Mine made one hell of a racket when listening up close like that (it's how the exhaust guy I know disgnosed it). It was sluggish too. Ran like crap.

Also check your plugs and wires closer if you haven't (i.e. removing them and checking from end to end). I use kickass heat protection and was very careful to route the wires, but have still managed to toast a few. I can't remember if it was 2 or 3 that gave me problems recently (passenger side). I ended up getting a custom built wire with a straight boot to keep it away from the headers. There was another thread in here discussing the same issue. The wire was connected fine and had a heatsock on it, but when I removed the wire to inspect, the boot was like mush.

Scour the archives. Lots of good threads in there from people who own the headers.