OMG OMG OMG! I'm SO SCREWED!

[410Fortune]

Wow good luck!

I bet its the fuel pressure regulator and/or vacuum line to it, did you ever check the fuel pressure????

if gas is coming out the exhaust then there is a problem with the fuel pressure, return line, or sensors

 

[Jtek]

I don't know how to check fuel pressure. I dont have the money to even BORROW one!! lol!
theres dark liquid leaking from what appears to be the rear main, but its not oil as when I viewed it hitting the garage floor, it splattered, which means its a water base, like gas. but it didnt smell like gas.
Perhaps it didnt smell like gas as it reeked so badly in there, it smelled normal.
well, I'll see what the owner officially wants to do...
Maybe that specific Explo(d)er is better off :roll: ? lol j/k
*puts on flame suit and RUNS!*

Well, I hope for the best and would be pleased if the owner pulls cash outta his ass like he says he does all the time. heh

 

[glfredrick]

As much as you are describing that thing flooding, the oil pan is FULL of gas/oil mixture by now, and if you have run the truck much the bearings are likely washed... Check the stick before starting it again! My kid's cherokee was doing that - would fill the pan in less than 10 minutes of running - cost him a motor. We discovered that the computer was fried, causing the injectors to fire constantly.

 

[Jtek]

is there a way to test the ECU? The owner has no money at all. hes worried about rent.

 

[410Fortune]

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, you need to test the fuel pressure at the rail, the gage is about $15 or you can borrow one.

 

[glfredrick]

In a pinch, you can test the fuel pressure with a tire guage (the dial type) just watch out for spray...

Cheapest way to test the ECU is to pull the cover and inspect with a light and a magnifying glass. Look for burned spots. Any burned spot will likely mean that it is failed. Of course, you mght not see anything, which only means that a chip may be burned and not the board itself. In that case, replacing with a junkyard box is one way to test.

I would lean towards the fuel PSI first... It's simpler and more common.

 

[Jtek]

Well, the owner took it back. I'm probably screwed out of $200 for what I've already done and a lot of time. Bout a week & ½'s worth.
Again, I do thank you guys for the help, however, this is the last time I mess with a ford thats got more than 100k on its ticker. Too many things go wrong with them. No offence to anybody that owns a ford, but they're too much for me. (of course going by my experiences with thise explorer and taurus-head gasket twice plus $700 addl' for parts) The worst experience I've had to date. Appreciate the help.

 

[Jtek]

ok, update (for the hell of it cause you guys are badass!!!)
The owner feels its not right for him to pay me in full as the head gaskets werent the issue in the first place, just the FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR **props to 410Fortune!**
BUT since I replaced ALLLL the parts, his engine is basically reconditioned, not rebuilt.
So he is going to pay me $130 and take the coil back for $75, plus washington state tax lol (kills everyone here in this godforsaken state).

So everyone wins and we're still friends lol
I wudda said F off, pr*ck if he thought paying me nothing was ok.

I'm not upset at ford anymore, just the idiots I talk to like at parts stores and other 'backyard' mechanics. (although that dont mean Id give my toyota up! =Þ)

 

[DeRocha]

Thanks for the added feedback. It's good to know the problem has been found and repaired.

 

[DMan446]

Possible Idea...

Hey, all new member here. I dont mean to be rude or crud, but I have to laugh at some of these posts. I know its not funny to those with the issue.

Ok, you said you replaced the head gaskets right.

1. Did you make sure ALL old gasket material was cleaned off the head(s) and the block?

2. Did you make sure the heads were reseated correctly and level?

3. Did you consult the manual for torque pattern and ft. lbs.?
3a. Did you use a torque wrench for this procedure?
4. After head re-install, did you do a compression test on each cylinder? Both before and after attempting to start it?

PLEASE NOTE: I am not criticising anyone, just possible things I thought I would ask concerning this problem.

DMan446

 

[DMan446]

Oops, sorry, missed the last message stated the problem was solved.....

 

[410Fortune]

Chalk one up for the good guys....

FYI the fuel pressure regulator is a common problem the little vacuum diaphram gets torn or worn out and it will quit functioning or function erratically.
It causes lots of problems in the first gen's (91-95 Explorer) likely because they are just getting older. However I have 180K miles on my 93 OHV, I have 160K on my last one, and never had a problem with the FPR, which to me means I better go buy one cuz its gonna need it soon!

Also it likely needed head gaskets anyways....

Glad its fixed and everyone is semi happy.
I have done favors for friends before, and had them get angry when another problem arose, thinkning they already paid me to fix it. Truth is poor maintenece = multiple problems and lack of $$$ = you can only fix one at a time...

 

[raiper]

Not to break the thread or anything but my Xploder engine lasted around 375,000 miles before it died

 

[Jtek]

Not to break the thread or anything but my Xploder engine lasted around 375,000 miles before it died

Someone knows how to maintain an engine. anyhow.

Like I said, I'm not upset at ford, they use bolts, metal, plastic and take gas with spark as toyota does and chevys and Opels.
GET THIS, THERE WAS 3 QUARTS OF GAS IN THE OIL! 8qt oil container was FULL almost overflowing. THAT wudda sucked and had I not said anything, the mechanic, who assumed the oil was already changed) would've went without a change.
Also the gas was pumping in so badly, the brake booster went bad. all the inner stuff was mangled and melted like. The owner told me, I didnt see it, but thats a lotta gas to be run through the intake for that to happpen...

 

[410Fortune]

Holey moley! GLad I have a fuel pressure gage It's been a year since I tested mine but I will be, my truck runs rich upon first start up, I always attributed that to my intake and exhaust mods messing with the computer settings

 

[raiper]

all i did was:
Changed the oil and filter every 3000mi
Replaced the plugs every oil change (dont get ****ty plugs by the way)
Replaced the plug wires every other year
Injector cleaner every month
Air filter at every oil change or 1 a month...depending on what i did.
A few body dings here and there
Never did change the coolant though.....
Lasted me till last year when i did donuts in my friends field only spinning the tires at 55+ and eventually sucking in the air filter along with all the dust. So if you ignore that it should have lasted me mostly to 400,000 mi. Still had 150PSI in 4 cylinders the other 2 were 125PSI after a pressure test. Decided the engine was junk after that and scraped it.

 

[Jtek]

Thats coo!
Not to bust everyones bubble, but I had a 1980 Toyota Corolla that had 260k with routine maintenance and still did 120 on the freeway (radars, got busted, so I know its true).
Only issue was the engine died randomly at stop lights, stop signs, etc. Good ol' carb'ed 3T!
Anyhow....I should stop with the toyota cause this is a ford site! =D

Well now the guy is having more issues with it and I'm glad I backed away from it. I told him that I was about to change the FPR right before he came to take it away.
He said I was completely right and wishes he never took it to that guy cause all he did was an oil chane, filter replacement and FPR. LOL! I WAS ABOUT TO DO ALL THAT!!!
He charged $200 for that! LMFAO!!!! So imma 22 yr old punk to him, hes a 24yr old dick to me! hahahaha I laughed at him when he told me that. good times..
I stay away from that specific Xploder now....no way.

p.s. dam, why cant other forums be like this. no flaming for stupid questions (yes these are real)...

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

i'm not sure how you can dis the 3.0 or the 4.0 even,

the 3.0 and the 4.9 liter is fords most reliable motors, and the 4.0 isn't bad either they run a really long time as long as they are maintenanced properly

 

[Jtek]

I'm not sure how you can dis the 3.0 or the 4.0

Explain to me how I'm dissing anything. Do quote me.
I was angry and all, but I think you didnt read all this thread, dude.
I prefer Toyota and Chevy over Ford any day. I'd rather have a Mustang than a explorer, personally.
Lets not turn this into a flame-fest...its easy mkuy!

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

"I thought these engines dont mast more than 130k????"

"Never saw one last longer than 100k-130k miles w/out something like this happening"

i've seen those 2 motors run a very very long time with no major problems,
especially the 3.0
i've even seen a 3.8 (kinda junky) in a lincoln with 365,000 miles on it and it ran decent yet,
my brothers ranger with the 4.0 has over 190,000 miles on it and runs great
i understand that once in a while a vehicle will get a bad motor, but very seldom a bad 3.0 liter
i'm not trying to start a fight or anything, i just can't believe that you thought these motors only lasted 130,000 miles