MyExplorer03v8Lim
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 20, 2016
- Messages
- 261
- Reaction score
- 14
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer 4.6L
2003 Limited 4.6L AWD. 156k on body, 76k on engine.
I've noticed oil pooled in the top bolt locations, on top of my passenger side valve cover. This vehicle has kind of a history, so this is just one small question among a sea of other issues that I'm working through.
At one point I did an oil change at night, and missed the funnel with maybe 1/4 quart of oil or less. It was a few good glugs. Poured it all over the passenger side of the engine.
I cleaned it up as much as I could in the dark, but this was several months ago. I figured whatever was left would just lubricate the area. I have to think that the oil I'm seeing now is new. There's no way pools of oil would reside in that area for long right, it'd just spread out during driving and bouncing around, I think.
So if the oil is new, where's it coming from? How would oil end up on top of the valve cover?
By the way, this vehicle has had a few misfires, and a current vacuum leak that I am tracking down this weekend. Furthermore, the battery refuses to stay charged, so I plan to run some youtube-inspired multi-meter tests on it and the alternator.
Vehicle History, if you're interested:
Here are the current codes:
I guess those codes all lead to oxygen sensors, and I'm sure I need to replace the one that was chiseled, but this to me seems symptomatic of something other than oxygen sensors.
Based on research/ watching lots of youtube videos, and reading repair manuals,
My best guesses are:
I've noticed oil pooled in the top bolt locations, on top of my passenger side valve cover. This vehicle has kind of a history, so this is just one small question among a sea of other issues that I'm working through.
At one point I did an oil change at night, and missed the funnel with maybe 1/4 quart of oil or less. It was a few good glugs. Poured it all over the passenger side of the engine.
I cleaned it up as much as I could in the dark, but this was several months ago. I figured whatever was left would just lubricate the area. I have to think that the oil I'm seeing now is new. There's no way pools of oil would reside in that area for long right, it'd just spread out during driving and bouncing around, I think.
So if the oil is new, where's it coming from? How would oil end up on top of the valve cover?
By the way, this vehicle has had a few misfires, and a current vacuum leak that I am tracking down this weekend. Furthermore, the battery refuses to stay charged, so I plan to run some youtube-inspired multi-meter tests on it and the alternator.
Vehicle History, if you're interested:
- Bought in April 2016, inspected by mechanic. Performed oil change. Engine seized on the highway in June, 100 degree day.
- Shop replaced the engine with a mountaineer engine @ 76k. They also charged my AC, but it was empty again within a month. Job finished in August. I believe they kept all of my original wiring, but I am honestly not sure if I have the original or mountaineer harness.
- Replaced front pass CV axle, rear pass tie rod, tires, and rear driver wheel bearing between Sept-Oct 2016.
- Then I started getting engine weirdness. Intermittent loss of power, hesitation, erratic idle, occasional stalling. I had thought vacuum leak, but wasn't sure, so I took it to a shop for diagnosis. They said it drove fine and to wait until the issue got worse.
- (I took it to a Ford dealership most recently, they confirmed vacuum leaks, and I've since done tremendous amounts of research in that area)
- Then I had some misfires. I took it back to the original engine shop guys, they diagnosed a bad coil and two bad plugs. Said there were no other issues and it should be fine. They also recharged my AC but said they didn't find a leak anywhere. They said maybe it just has a tiny imperceptible leak somewhere. (The AC was empty again a couple weeks later.)
- Next week I got more misfiring, as well as lean codes. Took it to a different shop, and they sat on it for a month. They replaced another two coils, an injector, a plug, and a fuel filter. They didn't mention the DPFE sensor, but mentioned that there were myriad wiring issues, as well as a "mysterious backpressure problem". They also said they took of the catalytic converters, inspected them, and put them back on. They did not report any issue with them, other than noting that it appeared that someone had spray painted them silver.
- When I got the car back it drove fine for about 4 miles (guess) and then it wanted to stall at a red light. It lacked power, but got the rest of the way home just fine (.5mi). I made an appointment with the dealer, and that was the next place I drove it. The entire drive it lacked power, and the engine seemed like it wouldn't rev. I would step on the gas and nothing would happen. If I pulled over and sat for a second it would then drive normally again for maybe 100 yards, and then completely lose power.
- The dealer identified that the codes lead to oxygen sensors. They also said someone took an air chisel to one of my oxygen sensors and left visible marks in it, which surely destroyed it.
Here are the current codes:
- P0053
- P0132
- P0172
- P2195
- P2196
- P2197
- The dealer also noted that someone replaced the DPFE sensor with a smaller one, and left it hanging loosely in front of the old one,which is still bolted in place.
- They also said there's a vacuum leak around the intake somewhere, but didn't get specific.
- They said that in general, the wiring is a mess and should be re-routed properly. They also told me to drive it into the dirt until the inspection expires. I felt that they wanted to sell me a new vehicle, so although what they said it probably true, I don't think the vehicle is junk. I'm done taking it to shops, and I am determined to learn to fix this vehicle myself.
I guess those codes all lead to oxygen sensors, and I'm sure I need to replace the one that was chiseled, but this to me seems symptomatic of something other than oxygen sensors.
Based on research/ watching lots of youtube videos, and reading repair manuals,
My best guesses are:
- Vacuum leak (hose somewhere)
- Vacuum leak (intake gasket)
- O2 Sensors
- DPFE (should at least be tested)
- Catalytic converter(s)
- EGR issue?
- Transmission? (pressing on gas, no revving or acceleration)