Power Problems with 1st Explorer, No get up and GO!..

[FoxxRocket]

Guys,, Im new to your Forum but it was recommended highly by some friends for your knowledge of this vehicle.!! This is my first Explorer and am loving it. but..........

Situation: I just bought a 1992 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0L V6 PushRod Engine from my bank as it was reposessed with 83,000 miles on it showing and is in very good shape inside and out with everything working except for the 4X4.

Problem: The Explorers' engine is running very smoothly with no missing, ticking, knocking, or other strange engine sounds, (to the best of my knowledge),,,,but....for a 4.0L V6 I dont seem to have the power that I think i should have from a stop and acceleration power on the highway. .........This is gonna be a multi response thread from me because I am soo ignorant of the way it should run. My RPM's never exceed around 2K at any time,, but the transmission seems to be shifting quite smoothly,, but just dont have ANY power to the response of the gas pedal. I am really having problems getting it up past 75 MPH on the highway without just flooring it!, and my gas mileage is about 13.5 MPG.....

I have checked the spark plugs, (they're new),, dont see any sparks or breaks in the plug wires, changed the air filter, checked the PCV valve, and checked all the vacum hoses off of the intake manifold.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?...I am seriously out of ideas on the problem,, If someone could tell me the proper RPM ranges for the speeds of my explorer maybe i could judge if it is a transmission or engine problem.

I have not checked the fuel filter, or the timing of the engine.

Guys,, Thanks very much for any info and help you may be able to give me.

-FOXXROCKET ( I race superbikes! )

-Chris

 

[asp84]

Sounds perfectly NORMAL for a 4.0L Explorer.

I had that same problem too......bad gas mileage no power. I couldnt stop on a big hill in fear that I would not be able to get it going. (felt as if the torque converter would just spin if If I floored it)

Anyway, I fixed my problem permanently.......I put a 5.0L V8 in it. Now, I got more power and better gas mileage.

Al

 

[jimbo74]

never going past 2k rpms...even at that 75 mph? something is really wrong if that is the case.... however... no power is actually normal.... a 4.0l in a heavy truck is always going to feel way slower than a superbike that you are used to.....

 

[1991XLT]

I wont agree with the NO POWER is normal.... I dont know if you expect it to rip the world apart or not.. but mine will get out and haul if I want it to.. no problems getting it to 75 or 85 for that matter.. and if I am rolling down the highway at lets say ... 65 and I punch it.. it will kick down and bring RPM up to around 3800-4000... sounds to me like your kickdown isnt setup properly.. I dont know if its cable on these or not.. I guess I will have to check into it.. or maybe mine isnt setup right.. and is allowing it to get to higher RPM then supposed to be? and also.. gotta remember.. these are heavy SUV's and a engine of that size will only create more torque and power the faster the engine turns..

 

[asp84]

I am really having problems getting it up past 75 MPH on the highway without just flooring it!,

1991XLT: Sounds like he can get it past 75, but he doesn't like how he has to floor it in order to get past 75. (ie: doesn't like the downshift to obtain this result)

FoxxRocket: Gas mileage for a 4.0L explorer ranges anywhere from 12-20 MPG. it all depends on how you drive and the terrain. (I got 275 miles per tank with my 91 explorer 4.0, and 200 miles per tank with my 1990 ranger with 1994 4.0L in it, and 310 miles per tank with my 5.0L V8 1991 Explorer) Average Overdrive cruise speed at 60-65 MPH is usually around 2,000-2,400. This all depends on your gear ratio and tire size.

For better gas mileage: change over all oils to synthetics, give complete tune-up, check tire pressure, take the lead off your foot.

 

[FoxxRocket]

Thanks guys,,, and my mistake on the RPM,,,its at 3K when at about 65 to 75 MPH,,,,

Its does a WHOLE lot better on the power when in Drive and not OverDrive,,,,,,,
Is there any consequences to driving this vehicle in Drive and not OD?

I dont expect the 4.0 to just squeal tires from a stop but a little chirp would be nice! ......

Guys anymore suggestions on the Gas Mileage would be greatly appreciated seeing that i drive about 50 miles to work 1 way a day,,,,,,,

I have stock tire size and have checked all the tire pressures,,,,,,,and changed the oil when i bought it,, (1 week ago),, and put the Valvoline Max Life in it.

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GREAT!,,,,,,,,thanks for all the info youve given!..

(OH,, as for the speed of the superbike thing,, THERE is nothing,, absolutely nothing that compares to 200 MPH on a machine that can tear through 90 degree, 10 foot radius turns at over 170 MPH!.... .. BUT I LOVE THE EXPLORER TOO!.... AGAIN,, THANKS GUYS!)

-Chris

 

[88vert]

What is your gear ratio

 

[FoxxRocket]

..I dont know,, stock?....

........I just bought it at 83,000 and I assume that all is stock..no visible aftermrket changes.........



-Chris

 

[88vert]

Check the axel code on the inside of the drivers door

 

[FoxxRocket]

okay thanks 88,, be right back!

 

[FoxxRocket]

its says D4

 

[88vert]

Hold on a sec I will check it out

 

[88vert]

Looks like you have a limited slip 3.73 which is good I wish I had that in my sport I have 3.27's and i get great gas mileage 23 higway 20 city.

 

[FoxxRocket]

Whats good about it Brad!!!!..lo.. I get 13 MPG and have no power in overdrive,,!.....lol

-Chris

 

[88vert]

My 3.27 sucks for pulling my pop up it has zero get up and go,have you thought about a KKM mine gave me at least 2 more miles too the gallon I custom made my own intake tube too and it increased power too.I would love to have a bigger gear ratio in mine.Your gas mileage does suck.How is your exhaust?Does the motor stumble at all when you take off from a stop?

 

[FoxxRocket]

No stumble at all brad, but just not HMMPFF when it comes to transfering that torque to speed.
What is a KMM,, is that an air filter,, K&N?

But in Drive it has a little punch to it,, ALOT more than in OD,, can the OD be going out on the tranny?

-Chris

 

[88vert]

Overdrive is a weak gear its mainly there for gas mileage purposes mine doesnt have any power either but it does hold nice while I have cruise on.KKM is the best mod I ever bought for my ex,check it out Kustomz

 

[88vert]

Do a search on them

 

[88vert]

try this

www.kustomz.com

 

[FoxxRocket]

Thanks brad,,,,,,,,,,NOW ABOUT THE 4X4,,, but thats another post,,,lol