darkstarp
New Member
- Joined
- July 27, 2011
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Huron New York
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 xlt/97 sport
I have a 1998 Ferd Explorer XLT 4 door, V6 SOHC (AKA E vin). This summer I changed the plugs and wires, NGk laser iridiums and just NAPA brand wires.
About two weeks ago I noticed it was idling a little rough, feel it in the cab a bit. A little shaky. Not the end of the world, but... noticeable. Last week while driving to Newark (about 30 minutes away), gas tank getting real low (Almost to E, did NOT "Check Gauge" on me) engine running VERY rough idle, only while idling or under 2k rpm, over that seems mostly fine. Check engine light started blinking (Its normally on, P0455), pulled into Autozone, codes pulled:
P0455 - Gross EVAP leak detected (known ongoing problem)
Cylinder 5 misfire (Cant remember specific error code.)
Started her (Gingerly), stalled out in parking lot. Started again, gave her some gas and got to a gas station, put 30 in. Ran better, not perfect, still rough, but noticeably better. No stalls after this. During this whole time, from a standing stop power was very poor, kinda bucking when you stepped on the gas at first, till she got to maybe 10-15 mph or so.
OK, to get to the point, Yesterday, I put a can of 99.9 Isopropyl alcohol and 55 bucks in gas into the tank, so about 3/4 full. Started her up, drove a little, gone. Not shaking or drama or rough idle. Great, I thought, maybe it was water in a tank/cylinder (Live right next to lake ontario, everything damp damp damp, plus this stupid frankenstorm). Went fine up until today, pulling in to my parking spot at home, about to cut the engine, and I notice shes shaking a bit. Nothing terrible, but still... noticeable. Might not be anything but I am skeptical, and I need some help.
So, what am I looking at, any ideas? I know that these engines suffered from a vac leak due to upper/lower intake manifold gaskets. Engine seems to have this issue even after warmed up so I am not sure if thats the problem. It could be a vacuum leak somewhere else as well, its been raining for the last week so I have not been able to check for vacuum leaks.
It could be an issue with the ignition system. I hate to think that a plug could have failed, or a wire, but I know manufacturing inconsistencies can sometimes cause such a failure shortly after something is installed. I am hesitant to blame the ignition coil, again not tested because of rain and lacking an Ohmmeter/ammeter.
It may be an issue of clogged injectors, or some other failing of the fuel system. I am hesitant to blame the p0455 leak, but its something that could conceivably have an effect. We do run it pretty close to empty a lot, which I have heard can increase the likelihood of sucking dirt from the bottom of the tank into the engine or fuel pump, damaging both. I replaced the Fuel Filter last year, so its relatively new at least.
I understand that isopropyl alcohol has the twofold effect of getting rid of water as well as possibly raising the octane rating of the gasoline, either one could possibly explain the instant improvement of running conditions. So any tips hints or ideas I can try?
Oh BTW, misfire code has not come up again thankfully.
read up a bit more on vacuum leaks, since i was unclear on how they worked, seems that this could certainly be the problem. The Isopropyl could raise the octane of the gas so its more stable, therefore could be burned at a leaner mixture, henceforth improved idle quality, even though the problem is still technically not fixed. Perhaps I should look into Vac. testing it and maybe replacing upper and lower intake gaskets. Still interested in any ideas though, thanks in advance!
About two weeks ago I noticed it was idling a little rough, feel it in the cab a bit. A little shaky. Not the end of the world, but... noticeable. Last week while driving to Newark (about 30 minutes away), gas tank getting real low (Almost to E, did NOT "Check Gauge" on me) engine running VERY rough idle, only while idling or under 2k rpm, over that seems mostly fine. Check engine light started blinking (Its normally on, P0455), pulled into Autozone, codes pulled:
P0455 - Gross EVAP leak detected (known ongoing problem)
Cylinder 5 misfire (Cant remember specific error code.)
Started her (Gingerly), stalled out in parking lot. Started again, gave her some gas and got to a gas station, put 30 in. Ran better, not perfect, still rough, but noticeably better. No stalls after this. During this whole time, from a standing stop power was very poor, kinda bucking when you stepped on the gas at first, till she got to maybe 10-15 mph or so.
OK, to get to the point, Yesterday, I put a can of 99.9 Isopropyl alcohol and 55 bucks in gas into the tank, so about 3/4 full. Started her up, drove a little, gone. Not shaking or drama or rough idle. Great, I thought, maybe it was water in a tank/cylinder (Live right next to lake ontario, everything damp damp damp, plus this stupid frankenstorm). Went fine up until today, pulling in to my parking spot at home, about to cut the engine, and I notice shes shaking a bit. Nothing terrible, but still... noticeable. Might not be anything but I am skeptical, and I need some help.
So, what am I looking at, any ideas? I know that these engines suffered from a vac leak due to upper/lower intake manifold gaskets. Engine seems to have this issue even after warmed up so I am not sure if thats the problem. It could be a vacuum leak somewhere else as well, its been raining for the last week so I have not been able to check for vacuum leaks.
It could be an issue with the ignition system. I hate to think that a plug could have failed, or a wire, but I know manufacturing inconsistencies can sometimes cause such a failure shortly after something is installed. I am hesitant to blame the ignition coil, again not tested because of rain and lacking an Ohmmeter/ammeter.
It may be an issue of clogged injectors, or some other failing of the fuel system. I am hesitant to blame the p0455 leak, but its something that could conceivably have an effect. We do run it pretty close to empty a lot, which I have heard can increase the likelihood of sucking dirt from the bottom of the tank into the engine or fuel pump, damaging both. I replaced the Fuel Filter last year, so its relatively new at least.
I understand that isopropyl alcohol has the twofold effect of getting rid of water as well as possibly raising the octane rating of the gasoline, either one could possibly explain the instant improvement of running conditions. So any tips hints or ideas I can try?
Oh BTW, misfire code has not come up again thankfully.
read up a bit more on vacuum leaks, since i was unclear on how they worked, seems that this could certainly be the problem. The Isopropyl could raise the octane of the gas so its more stable, therefore could be burned at a leaner mixture, henceforth improved idle quality, even though the problem is still technically not fixed. Perhaps I should look into Vac. testing it and maybe replacing upper and lower intake gaskets. Still interested in any ideas though, thanks in advance!
