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Rough Idle

johershey

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November 14, 2007
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Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Explorer Eddie Bauer
My 2002 explorer, when it warms up idles rough like when i stop at a light or something, but not all the time. i've tryed doing a basic tune-up but didn't help any. anyone have any ideas
 



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Common issue with the Explorers is the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. It controls the amount of air going into the motor at idle. It is attached to the intake right behind the throttle plate. Sometimes they can be cleaned, and other times they just need to be replaced.
 






Gasoline...

Hi there... Did we talk about using techron in the gas tank once before? My 03 doesn't tolerate anything else. What kinda rpms when you're at a stop?
 






sorry i failed to mention that i have the 4.6 V8 and not the 4.0 . the idle rpm is about 800 to 900
 






ok i want to piggyback this question.......took an 04 4.0l with the electronic throttle in for rough idle. the dealer said it was a idle control valve problem, but last time i checked, wasnt that eliminated by the whole electronic throttle? ive looked all over the throttle body and its just not there.
 






Are you both using Chevron or adding techron?

A major problem with rough idle is from not using the proper fuel type. As long as the octane is at least 87, try using Chevron if you are not. If you are using an off brand gas, try adding techron. Actually, just use Chevron and see how it goes.
 






we don't have any chevrons around here. and the fuel is octaine 87 so i know for a fact that isn't the problem.
 






Understood...

If you've done the below, please disregard: but I never had any of those items replaced due to failure or rough idle. :cool:


Of my 3 Exs, the only two that ever had rough idle (94,96) was from using off brand gas. Once I started using Chevron, Texaco, problems gone... BP, 76, Mobil did okay too, but with an additive, rough idle passed. Suerte!

I don't have rough idle with the 03, no off brand gasoline used... Suerte!
 






ok i want to piggyback this question.......took an 04 4.0l with the electronic throttle in for rough idle. the dealer said it was a idle control valve problem, but last time i checked, wasnt that eliminated by the whole electronic throttle? ive looked all over the throttle body and its just not there.

I just had my 04 repaired by the dealer for a rough idle. He replaced the harmonic balancer. Mine doesnt have an IAC, and a tank of E85 didnt help the roughness. It's supposed to be roughly 125 octane.

-dickm
 






125 octane!

I just had my 04 repaired by the dealer for a rough idle. He replaced the harmonic balancer. Mine doesnt have an IAC, and a tank of E85 didnt help the roughness. It's supposed to be roughly 125 octane.

-dickm

Minimum 87 octane with a fuel additive... What is the purpose of 125 octane? :confused:
 












Ethanol


I wonder where they are getting this advice from - I know Ford says E85 is okay on the gas door, but come on! And 125 octane, isn't that what they use at Nascar? Just fill the tank with good quality 87 octane, and add an additive if you can't find Chevron, Texaco, etc... :D

Where can you buy 125 octane? :confused:
 






ok i'll try another tank full and see what happens. but it seems to be a little better now i ran a can of the seafoam cleaner through the tank. so i'll try and see what happens thanks for the help
 






Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. However, E85 also has a much higher octane (ranging from 96 to 105) than gasoline. FFVs are not optimized to E85, so they experience a 10-15% drop in fuel economy. This will vary based on the way one drives, the air pressure in the tires, and additional driving conditions.

Taken from.....

http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faqs/range.php
 






Soapbox time

87 octane with techron. :thumbsup:
 






Gooooooo Jo! (I sound like a girl,

ok i'll try another tank full and see what happens. but it seems to be a little better now i ran a can of the seafoam cleaner through the tank. so i'll try and see what happens thanks for the help

You'll be happy you did.. :salute:

:frospecta
 







That car used to idle smooth as glass when I filled with E85. You couldnt tell the engine was running unless you looked at the tach. On regular gas, it just kind of had a minor vibration that you could feel. I havent tried it since they replace the balancer.

I just kind of assumed that E85 was much higher octane than regular gas and thats why the idle was so smooth.


-dickm
 






When I had my wife's 2002 XLS serviced, the transmission service I mean, I had them check things out and they reprogrammed the ECM (for $40) due to a TSB on rough idle, which her's had the symptoms of. I can't say it 100% fixed it, but it's a LOT better at idle now than it was. I think she's due for a tune-up though, so we'll see after that.:salute:
 



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When I had my wife's 2002 XLS serviced, the transmission service I mean, I had them check things out and they reprogrammed the ECM (for $40) due to a TSB on rough idle, which her's had the symptoms of. I can't say it 100% fixed it, but it's a LOT better at idle now than it was. I think she's due for a tune-up though, so we'll see after that.:salute:

Do you know what the TSB number is?
 






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