jlrohio
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- August 10, 2004
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 28
- City, State
- Virginia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1999 Ford Explorer XL
Recently we were having some variable idle issues - also got a 1507 error code for low idle.
Today, I grabbed some Throttle Body Cleaner, some Carb Cleaner, and some MAF cleaner and decided to do some spring cleaning.
I took the Idle Air Controller (IAC) off (Two 10mm bolts) and cleaned it first with Carb Cleaner (making sure to keep it aimed down (motor on top)) and let the carb cleaner soak in there and do it's thing. Then I let it air dry.
I then took off the air supply hose from the air filter to the Throttle Body housing (I have 4.0 OHV engine).
I sprayed the MAF Sensor with MAF Cleaner and placed it down to air dry as well.
I then got some rags and attacked the Throttle Body (many video's on YouTube showing how) with some Throttle Body Cleaner (don't use Carb Cleaner - Carb Cleaner is too strong for some coatings on the Throttle Body). I did a really good job of cleaning the throttle body and flapper until my rags came back mostly clean. I used a small wooden dowel to hold open the throttle plate as it air dried (while putting the IAC on).
I then put the IAC back on (my engine only has a rubber gasket (still in good shape) so no need for a new/replacement paper/cardboard gasket).
I then put my air supply hose back on the vehicle (Note: I shook out my air filter - I have one on order from Amazon - damn those have gone up a price) and connected it up to the throttle body.
After starting the car - there was about 10 seconds of surging, etc... (probably Throttle Body cleaner burning off inside the engine) but then she was back to purring like a kitten in the 800 RPM range. Took her out for a ride and she had much better acceleration, etc... She felt Soooooo much better for a 26 year old car.
So, reminder to all w/our generation of Explorers - time to do some spring cleaning. Clean your throttle body, the MAF Sensor, and IAC - Your Explorer will run much better. Make sure you have Throttle Body Cleaner and MAF Sensor Cleaner (DO NOT USE Carb cleaner on either the throttle body or the MAF sensor - Absolutely do NOT use brake cleaner for anything related to this job).
Get a new Air Filter - your Explorer needs to breath!!!
Today, I grabbed some Throttle Body Cleaner, some Carb Cleaner, and some MAF cleaner and decided to do some spring cleaning.
I took the Idle Air Controller (IAC) off (Two 10mm bolts) and cleaned it first with Carb Cleaner (making sure to keep it aimed down (motor on top)) and let the carb cleaner soak in there and do it's thing. Then I let it air dry.
I then took off the air supply hose from the air filter to the Throttle Body housing (I have 4.0 OHV engine).
I sprayed the MAF Sensor with MAF Cleaner and placed it down to air dry as well.
I then got some rags and attacked the Throttle Body (many video's on YouTube showing how) with some Throttle Body Cleaner (don't use Carb Cleaner - Carb Cleaner is too strong for some coatings on the Throttle Body). I did a really good job of cleaning the throttle body and flapper until my rags came back mostly clean. I used a small wooden dowel to hold open the throttle plate as it air dried (while putting the IAC on).
I then put the IAC back on (my engine only has a rubber gasket (still in good shape) so no need for a new/replacement paper/cardboard gasket).
I then put my air supply hose back on the vehicle (Note: I shook out my air filter - I have one on order from Amazon - damn those have gone up a price) and connected it up to the throttle body.
After starting the car - there was about 10 seconds of surging, etc... (probably Throttle Body cleaner burning off inside the engine) but then she was back to purring like a kitten in the 800 RPM range. Took her out for a ride and she had much better acceleration, etc... She felt Soooooo much better for a 26 year old car.
So, reminder to all w/our generation of Explorers - time to do some spring cleaning. Clean your throttle body, the MAF Sensor, and IAC - Your Explorer will run much better. Make sure you have Throttle Body Cleaner and MAF Sensor Cleaner (DO NOT USE Carb cleaner on either the throttle body or the MAF sensor - Absolutely do NOT use brake cleaner for anything related to this job).
Get a new Air Filter - your Explorer needs to breath!!!
