Please help...

[jennster5]

Hi everyone! Wondering if anyone could help me out I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport- when I try to start it in the cold it turns over but will either sputter or stall. I have to keep turning it over to finally get it start. When it finally does - black exhaust comes out. Thought maybehad to do with the gas so I put dry gas in it and a treatment. No luck.. It will work fine if it hasn't sat for long just if it sits overnight or for very long periods of time. I have been browesing all day- is it possible it's the ECT sensor or would it be the OS one? If so how do I replace the ECT one? It's not the battery or starter. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

Was the check engine light on or is it on now when its running?

 

[jennster5]

Nope no check engine light at all

 

[410Fortune]

okay in 2001 the Explorer was available with two different 4.0L V6 engines, a OHV and a SOHC (Over head valve and Single Overhead Cam) wich of these two do you have?
Is the truck an automatic?

Once it starts and runs does it run fine?
Have you checked the oil?

 

[jennster5]

It's the SOHC one- thanks for your help!

 

[jennster5]

sorry its automatic transmission too

 

[jennster5]

Yup it runs perfectly once it finally gets started-I checked the oil it was fine too -I had my oil changed about a month ago. And have only driven about 800 miles since the oil change.

 

[jennster5]

Yup it runs perfectly once it finally gets started-I checked the oil it was fine too -I had my oil changed about a month ago. And have only driven about 800 miles since the oil change.

 

[410Fortune]

how many miles on the engine? and when you say it puffs black smoke when it first fires, how much and for how long?

The SOHC engine has had some recalls, but I would expect to see a check engine light if this was the case.

Does your check engine light come on when you turn th ekey to ON before you crank the starter?
How long have you had the truck?
How long has it been doing this?

 

[jennster5]

Umm there is about 123,000 miles- it puffs the black smoke only for like 2 seconds- once it starts. No check engine light at all- not even when I crank it. Only had the truck for a month and 2 weeks :0(. It just started last week. This morning it started fine- it jsut depends- usually when it's really cold it won't start up right away.

 

[Kaleb]

Take it to a dealer and tell them to check your spark plugs

 

[jennster5]

ok thanks!