Sluggish throttle response

[Explorer75]

Hello all

I just got a 2010 Ford Explorer 4.0 V6. The truck is in great shape (suspension, frame), or it appears to be. It has about 34k miles. I have a concern about the throttle response and power. When coming from a stop and you try to accelerate the power is not very good (at small throttle openings), if you push the accelerator hard the truck wakes up and has good power. It feels like all or nothing throttle. If you apply small force to the accelerator the truck barely moves or it does slowly. I would say that the first 10%-15% of the accelerator (throttle) is very sluggish.
It´s difficult to explain, I hope you understand.

From the previous owner he only did oil and filter change.

As soon as I got it besides the oil and filter I replaced the air filter and it got a little better. Afterwards I got an aFe air filter and it got a bit better. But the problem is still there.

Fuel economy in the highway is good 19-20 mpg, but it is very bad in the city, about 8-10 mpg. The thing is that I really have to apply a bit of throttle to move, specially when coming from a stop.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[corkey]

well, it is a 2 ton SUV with a v6 engine,,
that could be a part of it,,

my 99 4.0 is the same way,, if you take off easy,, it does just that, takes off easy,,

 

[Explorer75]

well, it is a 2 ton SUV with a v6 engine,,
that could be a part of it,,

my 99 4.0 is the same way,, if you take off easy,, it does just that, takes off easy,,

Yep, it could be. But I still think it could be something related to ECU programming. I´m looking up at SCT Performance flasher and sounds very interesting.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Throttle response on the 4.0 for this generation has always had a bit of a lag on the pickup side. I use a Superchips 1865 and is much better regarding the throttle response on the performance setting... still a bit of a lag in terms of downshift for passing etc. but you learn how to compensate for it after a while. I find that there is a sweet spot that the vehicle likes for acceleration off of stop lights that is around 30-50% throttle. If you are only getting 8-10MPG around town then you must really be smashing that pedal to get going. Two things that could help you some considering the mileage if it has not been done yet and that is to change the fuel filter since it is due every 30K miles and clean the MAF sensor.

 

[corkey]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55449&highlight=throttle+cable+mod

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55449&highlight=throttle+cable+mod

Drive by Wire (2004+ Explorers)
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277382
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247917

 

[corkey]

oops my mistake,, i'm old skool

 

[Explorer75]

Throttle response on the 4.0 for this generation has always had a bit of a lag on the pickup side. I use a Superchips 1865 and is much better regarding the throttle response on the performance setting... still a bit of a lag in terms of downshift for passing etc. but you learn how to compensate for it after a while. I find that there is a sweet spot that the vehicle likes for acceleration off of stop lights that is around 30-50% throttle. If you are only getting 8-10MPG around town then you must really be smashing that pedal to get going. Two things that could help you some considering the mileage if it has not been done yet and that is to change the fuel filter since it is due every 30K miles and clean the MAF sensor.

Yes! I´m planning on replacing the fuel filter today, I´ll clean the MAF sensor while I´m at it.

Thanks!!!

 

[Explorer75]

oops my mistake,, i'm old skool

That´s too bad, I was hoping it would help me.

As I previously said, I bet is a programming thing. Can the traction control be doing that?

 

[swshawaii]

oops my mistake,, i'm old skool

Cool. Could you help me rebuild the carburetor, replace the distributor cap, points, and rotor on my 2005 ST?

 

[corkey]

only if it looks like this,

 

[swshawaii]

That's the biggest serpentine belt I've ever seen! Oh yeah, I forgot about the condenser.

 

[corkey]

k, back to the topic at hand,,
check this out,

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309618

 

[Explorer75]

k, back to the topic at hand,,
check this out,

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309618

Thanks Corkey, it totally explains what I´m experiencing.

 

[corkey]

i may be behind the times, but i can do research and learn too,,

 

[Explorer75]

Yesterday I cleaned the MAF sensor I think it´s a bit better, further driving needed to confirm. Couldn´t find the fuel filter to replace it JAJAJA, a friend mechanic is helping me today. Just for the sake of doing a tune up and see if it helps with my issue, I notice that every time I replace something the truck feels a bit better so I´m also thinking of changing the spark plugs, the ones I have are from factory and are platinum tipped. The ones I could find are copper. Thinking about swapping them out and see if threre´s a difference. I also have a new ignition wire set, thinking about throwing it in and call it a day.
Next on the list is a throttle body clean up...

 

[Flag Gibby]

I believe on your year that they didn't come from the factory with the platinum tip but with the nickel tips (SP412) which are a good plug but do wear fast so all you may need to do is reset the gap on them. Also, the wires from the factory are a good set and do last up to 100K miles so no need to change them out, but cleaning the throttle body is not a bad idea.
Like I mentioned before, if you want better programming get a Superchips 1842 (this product is specific for your year) and you will be getting the most out of the engine on 87 octane fuel.

 

[Explorer75]

I´m puzzled with the plugs. From factory the truck comes with AGSF22FM (PLATINUM), Motorcraft web page and dealer have the SP-412 or AGSF24N (NICKEL) plug. I did swap them out and with the sp-412 the truck feels more sluggish, so tomorrow I´ll put back the factory ones. :scratch:

 

[swshawaii]

Strange thing is RockAuto only lists the Motorcraft SP412 Nickel plug for your application, not the upgraded SP500 FineWire Platinum that cross references to the OEM AGSF22FM6. :scratch:

Just FYI, Motorcraft has been using the shorter "SP" part number designation for a while.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=949946

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1444725,parttype,7212

 

[Explorer75]

If you do a search at www.fordparts.com by VIN the sp412 is the only plug that you´ll find listed. I just did a search at ebay and the SP500 also has the AGSF22FM part no. on the box (IT´s slso listed as AGSF22FMF6).

They´re cheap ($25), I´m going to pick up a set of those.

Flag Gibby, I´m thinking about the SCT programmer. I see advantages over the Superchips that the SCT can be custom tuned by a dealer, buy a custom tune file or you can even buy a software to do it.