Need help with my explorer

[francisferris]

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER V6 OHV. I AM ONLY ONLY GETTING 200 MILES TO THE FULL TANK AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM LACKING POWER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A EGR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A DISCONTECTED WIRE. THEY CHARGED ME 70DOLLARS AND SAID MY VEHICLE WAS GOOD. THEN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, MY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WENT BACK TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME AGAIN IT WAS MY EGR SYSTEM FLOW. I GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I BELIEVED AUTO ZONE MORE THEN I BELIEVED FORD. SO I CHANGED MY EGR VALVE, ALL FILTERS, ALL FLUIDS FLUSHED AND CHANGED. THE EGR VALVE WAS ABSOULTLEY NASTY. BUT AFTER CHANGING ALL THAT THE LIGHT POPPED UP AGAIN AND THE DIAGNOSTIC SAID IT WAS STILL A EGR FLOW PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX MY VEHICLE SO I CAN GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE AND BETTER POWER. THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO CAN GIVE INFORMATION. O yeah, and yes I had my codes resat and the engine light came on again.

 

[chrisis]

for start pull out the code and let us know what you got.

it can be anything, but we can`t help without more informations.

 

[Turdle]

DPFE sensor and hoses.

 

[francisferris]

well the let everybody know, the code that popped up was 0401

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

That code is "Insufficient EGR flow detected".
Since you've already installed a new EGR valve, then JTSmith's advice is good, maybe a bad DPFE or related hose cracked or loose.

 

[francisferris]

?

That code is "Insufficient EGR flow detected".
Since you've already installed a new EGR valve, then JTSmith's advice is good, maybe a bad DPFE or related hose cracked or loose.

What is a DPFE? I dont know much about vehicles, but im trying to do it myself to save money and I got a few friends that know about this stuff. But before I go and ask them for my help, id like to know the things im going to replace, so thank you for the help

 

[Turdle]

OK
Look on passenger side exhaust manifold.
(remove intake tube for good view if needed)
You will see a metal pipe coming straight up from it.
This is the egr tube.
You will also see 2 rubber hoses, going from egr tube to the DPFE sensor.If you follow the hoses, they lead you to it.
take the hoses off and look real well at them for blown out spots, or splits.

Also, yours is a 98, I would look the egr tube over real well, and as I stated earlier--listen for an exhaust leak, this is a very common problem.

Please post back if you find something

 

[Turdle]

I wanted to show this
Passenger side header from my 98
See how the tube is cracked and re welded. The top tube is stainless, which is welded to cast material for the "belly" tube

An exhaust leak on passenger side, will cause low egr flow--that is the EGR bung sticking off the top tube.

This is shown with the metal heat shield removed

 

[francisferris]

Okay, it looks like I have a brand new DPFE on my vehicle, but who knows, maybe its clogged already or messed up. BUt you know that hose that connects to the top of the EGR valve. Well, I was trying to get a look at something and I broke it. I thought it was a maluable hose, but really its hard plastic. So I have to replace that now also, but it should be cheap. It runs up to some black looking cylinder sensor thing. That sensor is where the two hoses for the EGR pipe runs to. It is mounted to some rubber stuff and it moves very easy. Is this normal.

 

[Turdle]

can you post a picture to a hosting service-and post a link?

Are you sure the tube you broke isn't metal?

A picture or link would be helpful

 

[Turdle]

oh oh
I think I get it
the vacuum line, from egr vacuum solenoid to egr valve!!!

yes, if there is a leak, or if the solenoid was broken, the valve would not open,
low egr flow!!

 

[francisferris]

Yes, the one to the soleniond. But I just broke that trying to look around. I have fix that now too. My vehicle is going to ford today to get a free diagnostic and im gonna see how much that plasic hose costs. Hopefully they can tell me what else is wrong

 

[Mic_]

Sounds like the EVR (egr valve regulator) sends a duty cycle of EGR to the PCM..those are relative cheap, compared to the DPFE and EGR

 

[francisferris]

Well I replaced my hoses and the DPFE sensor. So far so good, but im gonna drive around today and see if my engine light pops on again. Thank you brotha.