Rough idle/Check engine light

[Lefty2053]

I am wanting to buy a nice Explorer with the 5.0. The engine bay and under the car is totally dry as a bone. The only thing I see is the Check Engine light is on and there is an intermittent stutter. While driving and while parked. It is an automatic. I was told that it started it's life as a Police car. They said it had a chip in it which may or may not have anything to do with the problems. I just called them and they are going to have the codes for me today. WIll post them soon I hope. In the mean time does anyone have any idea if the stutter and the check engine light are brought on by one problem?

Oh yea,he also said he had both O2 sensors replaced and the code removed but it came back. They said they have been driving it for 75k miles this way.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Lefty2053]

Talked to the people selling the car and they didn't have the paper with them but said Autozone printed out a report and it said.

It has something to due with the Vapor Canister. I checked and for the canister and every thing for it is a total of about $100.

Does this sound like something that would cause the Check engine light and or the slight miss? Or does it sound like they are avoiding telling me what is wrong with it? I planned on picking the car up on Monday and would hate to drive it home and then find something really wrong with it.

Any help is very appreciated.

 

[Lefty2053]

OK I found a few things out. One the Evaporative canister may have a leak and or the gas cap is bad. This can set off the Check engine light. Two I might need to change out the fuel filter before it causes damage to the fuel pump. Which can cause the stuttering.

I will question the Owners of the car and ask them when they last changed out the fuel filter. I will also figure out where the canister is at and see if I can find a leak and or check to see if they tighten the gas cap when they fuel up.

 

[bobflood]

OK I found a few things out. One the Evaporative canister may have a leak and or the gas cap is bad. This can set off the Check engine light. Two I might need to change out the fuel filter before it causes damage to the fuel pump. Which can cause the stuttering.

I will question the Owners of the car and ask them when they last changed out the fuel filter. I will also figure out where the canister is at and see if I can find a leak and or check to see if they tighten the gas cap when they fuel up.

Fuel filter is not a big deal to change; either DIY or get a mechanic to do it. It's just inside the frame rail underneath the drivers door.

The Evap system will definitely turn on the CEL; could be any number of issues. On thing to look for is cracks in the fuel filler neck behind the fuel door and down into the fuel tank - a known weak spot on these vehicles.

 

[Lefty2053]

Fuel filter is not a big deal to change; either DIY or get a mechanic to do it. It's just inside the frame rail underneath the drivers door.

The Evap system will definitely turn on the CEL; could be any number of issues. On thing to look for is cracks in the fuel filler neck behind the fuel door and down into the fuel tank - a known weak spot on these vehicles.

Well I went ahead and bought the Truck. It runs great and drives nice. When I went to pick it up I took a OBDII scanner and checked the codes myself. It was code 0443.
THis matched the code she had from Autozone. I went to fill it up with gas and didn't like the fell of the gas cap and there was a lot of pressure in the tank when I released the cap. It hissed out of the tank pretty good. Is this normal? I could not remember if it was or not on a gas vehicle as I have had 2 Diesels for years now.
I would assume if there was a crack the air would leak out of it.

 

[drdoom]

You can also check the wires at the canister, some dam mice chewed mine off completely down to the connector. I made the repair and the code went away. Not saying this applies to your situation, but it is a possibility. Also, there are two valves on that system, one under the battery tray (which is known to corrode the wiring), and one on the canister itself. Best wishes.

 

[Lefty2053]

You can also check the wires at the canister, some dam mice chewed mine off completely down to the connector. I made the repair and the code went away. Not saying this applies to your situation, but it is a possibility. Also, there are two valves on that system, one under the battery tray (which is known to corrode the wiring), and one on the canister itself. Best wishes.

Glad you said that. I have a VW TDI that the sound cover under the hood is totaled out because of mice. I bought it that way but as I was looking at cars one lady told me that mice messed up their A/C on their Ex. I will try and check out some things today if it ever warms up. 15 Degrees out there this morning at 8 MST.

 

[bobflood]

Well I went ahead and bought the Truck. It runs great and drives nice. When I went to pick it up I took a OBDII scanner and checked the codes myself. It was code 0443.

Check out this post; very good info. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201047