Running Rich Rough Idle pls HELP

[glenn_a]

Rock Auto shows the Motorcraft SP500 AGSF22FM as suitable for a 1997 SOHC V6. I suspect they are finewire single platinum with a nickel plated shell. The Motorcraft AGSF22PP are double platinum and should last longer in one of the banks. I'd have to think about which bank fires from the outer electrode to the inner electrode and transfers metal in that direction. The Ford factory used to install different plugs in bank 1 than bank 2 because of the different direction of current flow

You wer saying that only one bank can use a double platinum/iridium..? So its different plugs on left amd the right side...? Is i possible to use double for both banks?
Pls let me know the item number on ebay or just send me the part number suitable for left and right...

Thanks

 

[2000StreetRod]

double platinum work on both banks

Double platinum plugs have platinum to reduce wear on both electrodes so they extend service life in either bank. Single platinum plugs only have platinum on the center electrode but are less expensive than double platinum. Single platinum installed in the bank that fires from center to outer electrode should last as long as double platinum. It looks like the Motocraft double platinum plugs are being phased out. I can't find a quantity of 6 available on eBay. Many members suggest the Autolite plugs P/N APP103 which also seem to be getting harder to find. Do you want the Champion Truck Plugs (copper) I gave you a link to in my earlier post?

 

[glenn_a]

I see.... will ring my supplier and see what is available here or i will try looking for all these. Ill check the link and see... thanks heaps! Yeah i cannot wait tmrw and try to replace rhe spark plugs and see if will make any difference (im hoping it should fix th problem)....

Autolite # PP103
Motorcraft # AGSF22PP
Champion truck # 4401

 

[rocketcouch]

have you done a compression test yet to make sure you have good compression?

 

[glenn_a]

have you done a compression test yet to make sure you have good compression?

Not yet my friend but yeah I thought of that too early today... I did not think that would be the problem because I just rebuilt this engine last year and im 100% sure but it did crossd my mind...
I will do the compression test soon I get my new plugs just incase

Thanks heaps for the reminder...

 

[rocketcouch]

one of those things where it sets a baseline before you start chasing sensors and other things. i had a motor i built and after a few months to a year ran rough and fouled out a plug. turned out i cracked a ring somehow. compression test was the last thing i thought of but if i did it sooner it wouldve saved me a lot of time and headache. (no pep talk intended, just stating one of my run-ins with chaceing a rough running engine)

 

[glenn_a]

one of those things where it sets a baseline before you start chasing sensors and other things. i had a motor i built and after a few months to a year ran rough and fouled out a plug. turned out i cracked a ring somehow. compression test was the last thing i thought of but if i did it sooner it wouldve saved me a lot of time and headache. (no pep talk intended, just stating one of my run-ins with chaceing a rough running engine)

Yeah true! I agree my friend, ill do that later and see how it all go... thanks mate!

 

[glenn_a]

Here's the plug I'll be using for now till I get the Autolite or Motorcraft plugs and see how it goes... (crossed fingers)

 

[2000StreetRod]

7401 rs12pyp

I think those double platinum plugs are the same physical size, reach and heat range as my 4401 Truck Plugs. If they work for 1,000 kms with no problems they should last a long time. I suggest waiting on ordering the Autolite or Motorcraft plugs until you try out the Champions. I think the SOHC V6 is less sensitive to plug Brands than the V8.

 

[glenn_a]

I think those double platinum plugs are the same physical size, reach and heat range as my 4401 Truck Plugs. If they work for 1,000 kms with no problems they should last a long time. I suggest waiting on ordering the Autolite or Motorcraft plugs until you try out the Champions. I think the SOHC V6 is less sensitive to plug Brands than the V8.

you were right my friend 2000StreetRod.... just did the spark plugs and its all bloody good! and I did a compression test just in case but its all perfect...

I guess this is the final for me unless something happen later (knock on the wood) I will test drive it later and hope for the best...

Just noticed I think I better change my IAC valve its seems the idle goes up and down for few seconds just after I let go on the accelerator...

 

[Dave 1955]

Double platinum plugs have platinum to reduce wear on both electrodes so they extend service life in either bank. Single platinum plugs only have platinum on the center electrode but are less expensive than double platinum. Single platinum installed in the bank that fires from center to outer electrode should last as long as double platinum. It looks like the Motocraft double platinum plugs are being phased out. I can't find a quantity of 6 available on eBay. Many members suggest the Autolite plugs P/N APP103 which also seem to be getting harder to find. Do you want the Champion Truck Plugs (copper) I gave you a link to in my earlier post?

I hate to hi jack but is that the reason one side of my 5.0 had diff numbers on the plugs?
A few were a bish to get out..broke one,but got it out with a easy out!
97k on the car and i think the plugs..lol.

 

[2000StreetRod]

G for ground?

I think the G suffix identifies that the platinum is on the normally grounded outer electrode. I doubt that they were ever available anywhere except on the assembly line. For my own information, which bank had the G plugs (passenger or driver)?

 

[glenn_a]

Oops!

After an hour drive it felt same hesitate when ever im trying to accelerate but when i give it a rev more than 2000-2500 it feels it cleared out.....

But its better than before, before i replace the spark plugs it only takes 1min then problem come up.

Damn! Whats the problem now....!;(

 

[2000StreetRod]

Vis?

Your 1997 SOHC V6 is equipped with a variable intake system (VIS). The PCM shortens the length of intake manifold runners when the engine speed exceeds 3,000 rpm. Make sure the vacuum hose from the vacuum solenoid to the VIS vacuum motor is connected and not split. Make sure the mechanical linkage between the vacuum motor and the actuator lever arm is still connected. Make sure the actuator lever can move freely when the link is not connected. See the following for more information: VIS Conversion

 

[Dave 1955]

I think the G suffix identifies that the platinum is on the normally grounded outer electrode. I doubt that they were ever available anywhere except on the assembly line. For my own information, which bank had the G plugs (passenger or driver)?

The g plugs were on the passenger side.

 

[Dave 1955]

Ok I found out the pass side fires from ground to center on the plug.
The g apparently stands for ground on that side.
so those plus did make it to 97k. i wish getting a little skip fir a few secs when first starting cold is why I changed them out.

 

[kindred4x]

It could just be the angle of the picture messing with my vision, but the picture of the two Mass Airflow Housings (black plastic, grey aluminum) are of different sizes.

The MAF is tuned for a specific engine size and housing size. If I remember correctly the first gen guys are able to use larger maf housings due to not as much software in the pcm. 2nd gen's do not like larger housings and will run really rough and sputter at idle with the wrong sensor, or housing.... Trust me... I have a 2nd gen 4.0 and swapped the housing to a larger 5.0 housing and it ran like crap..

It might be worth a look to make sure your old MAF and housing are the same size and part numbers as your replacement

 

[2000StreetRod]

Same question

I had the same question but when I read thru the other "Registry" type thread the only documented engine related mod after the engine swap was about the aftermarket headers. Also, if a larger than stock diameter MAF sensor was installed the engine would run lean instead of rich. The larger diameter would decrease the measured air mass flow and the PCM would decrease the injector pulse width accordingly.

 

[glenn_a]

Your 1997 SOHC V6 is equipped with a variable intake system (VIS). The PCM shortens the length of intake manifold runners when the engine speed exceeds 3,000 rpm. Make sure the vacuum hose from the vacuum solenoid to the VIS vacuum motor is connected and not split. Make sure the mechanical linkage between the vacuum motor and the actuator lever arm is still connected. Make sure the actuator lever can move freely when the link is not connected. See the following for more information: VIS Conversion

yes i have checked this and its all good no leaks and the lever is working...
would the IAC vsalve will make the Explorer run rich and rough if its faulty?
the idle settle time to time but sometimes it drops all the sudden but not switch off the engine...

 

[glenn_a]

It could just be the angle of the picture messing with my vision, but the picture of the two Mass Airflow Housings (black plastic, grey aluminum) are of different sizes.

The MAF is tuned for a specific engine size and housing size. If I remember correctly the first gen guys are able to use larger maf housings due to not as much software in the pcm. 2nd gen's do not like larger housings and will run really rough and sputter at idle with the wrong sensor, or housing.... Trust me... I have a 2nd gen 4.0 and swapped the housing to a larger 5.0 housing and it ran like crap..

It might be worth a look to make sure your old MAF and housing are the same size and part numbers as your replacement

oh! yeah its just the angle of the camera, the size are same except the plastic and the original is alloy...
I got this from the wrecking yard and hey supplied me the plastic, but i noticed the last three letters (part numbers) were different from the original. then I rang and they says this Air Flow Meter came from Ford Taurus...
would that make a difference..?