SOHC Problem! - Engine SUCKS!

[WillieChu]

I have an '99 Explorer Sport with over 49,000 miles one it. So far I've gone thru 2 Jacobs kits, 1 engine, 2 re-programs of the Superchip. Here's what happened....

I purchased the Superchip shorty after I bought the truck. Ran fine but every time I went about 90MPH the OD light would start flashing. Once I turn the engine off the OD light would go out. I checked computer and there was nothing wrong.

Next purchase was the Jacobs kit, it ran fine until 35,000 miles, engine hesitated and then stalled. Called Jacobs to RMA it. Got the new one and worked fine until 40,000 miles, same problem hesitated and stalled. Called Jacobs again and they wanted to send me another one, this time I said "No, why would I want another one so it can fail again" I asked them to send me one for the Mustang 5.0L and they did with out any hassle. (My post is not intended to blast Jacobs, their customer service is actually very good.) IMHO, Jacobs hasn't perfected the DIS technology with their kits yet, so buyer beware. It works great in my 5.0L Mustang.

During the Jacobs problem, I was also getting detonation. (I always add 93+ octane.) The detention was actually there before I installed the Jacobs kit, I originally thought it was just the way the engine sounded, I even took it to Ford and they said it sounded normal but at about 40,500 miles it got really bad, the Check Engine Light went on. I took to it to Ford and this time they said my cam tensioner damaged the engine and I'll need a new one. They had my truck for 3 months. While my truck was at Ford, I sent the Superchip back to get re-programmed so the OD light would not flash. They fixed the problem.

After I got my truck back I added the Superchip and everything ran fine until 48,500 miles. I removed the Superchip to see it that was causing the problem. The the truck still started hesitating, stalling and now surging at idle. The Check Engine light went on. It wasn't the chip. I took it to Ford yesterday, they cleaned the fuel injectors and said everything should be fine. As I pulled out of Ford it ran fine for 1 block, it started surging at idle, not stalling yet but I can tell the problem wasn't fixed. I called them right away and they said to bring it back. I turned around brought it back. They ran it thru the computer, the fuel system look very good. THEN it started to surge and stalled. Apparently the surging was coming from one side of the engine only. They said they've never seen this before. Well, this time they updated the PCM and that reducing the surging. It was getting late so I left but the surging is now bearable and not stalling. Since they updated the PCM, I need to get the Superchip re-programmed, what a hassle!!! I'm going to ask the chip be re-programmed for my Mustang instead.

Sorry, just need someone to hear my story. Hope you're not having my problems!

-Willie

 

[bplein]

Not to be too picky, but I wouldn't say that your 4.0 SOHC sucks.

The fact is, if I read your post correctly, you've never really run the engine without chips/mods!

I've got 70k+ miles on a 4.0SOHC (1997) and it's great.

Try running without all the mods on it for a while. You need a baseline. After that, change one thing at a time.

 

[WillieChu]

bplein, thanks for reading my long post. After Ford installed the new engine, the only thing I added was the Superchip, it was running fine for about 8500 miles. I removed the chip shorty after the hesitating and surging so the truck has been running stock.

-Willie

 

[bplein]

Sounds like you are trying the right things.

There is the outside chance that the Superchip has led to damage of some other parts in the system (oxy sensors, etc.). Not that they'd give you those problems, but if Ford fixes it this time, drive without the Superchip for a few months. I know, you gotta love the power, but try it, and see if it stablizes.

 

[Robert]

I'm about to turn over 69K on my SOHC and besides the sticking throttlebody, lower intake manifold o-rings and the camshaft tensioners, the engine has been great. Now that I've had the items replaced again last November, it has been the quietest five months of my engine's life. I've had my Superchip, Borla and K&N FIPK in since late last summer without any of the problems you are experiencing.

 

[WillieChu]

bplien - I think you are right about the Superchip screwing things up. Once the problem is fixed I am no longer adding any more mods, I've given up on this engine. I'm going to have the chip re-programmed for my Mustang (once the heads & supercharger are done.)

Robert - Don't get me wrong, I love the Explorer and I would buy another one. I'm not one of those yuppies that drive it to the supermarket or to run erans. Take a look at my site: www.WillyChu.com I drive it like it should be driven, "Built Ford Tough" Did Ford give you any problems about your mods? My dealer was actually pretty cool about it.

-Willie

 

[Keach]

Check your throttle position sensor

My Exploder was doing similar things and I have the superchip, as well as other mods. The Ford guys seemed lost. I grabbed the head Mech. and he tapped on the sensor and the engine acted up. New sensor, $45.00 bones, no problems since.

 

[Jornum1]

I have a 99 SOHC, and I love it. It has 35k on it, and havent had a problem yet besides my driver seat breaking ;-) Anyway I did have the surging low idle, and it would stall sometimes on startup. I cleaned the MAS and it was fine. Now I am not a mechanic, but I just want to be able to look out for this chain tensioner problem. What are hte symptoms of it. What exactly is detonation also. Is that something that is covered under warantee? I only have 1000 miles left on mine. And finally what does it cost approx. to fix this out of warantee. I am really sorry to hear about your truck Willie. I hope everything is straigtened out. Scares me because I have similar mods as you and am almost at the same mileage when yours started. Hope everything works out for the better
Jason

 

[WillieChu]

Jason, thanks for the response. I'll try cleaning the MAS. Sometimes my engine takes a longer time to turn over on startup. When that happens my remote start doesn't work.

I just want to be able to look out for this chain tensioner problem. What are hte symptoms of it. What exactly is detonation also. Is that something that is covered under warrantee?

Upon startup you'll hear a rattling sound coming from the timing chain area. I didn't notice is at first but one day I was at a friends place and he had the same engine, I asked him to started it up. It didn't have the rattling sound like mine did. The easiest way to explain what detonation is, when you hear pinging coming from the engine (this usually happens when you put in a lower octane than what's rated for your truck or car). The cam tensioner problem will be covered under warranty. I bought the ESP (Extended Service Plan) so I didn't get any hassle, plus those guys at my dealership love me. I also did receive a letter from Ford basically saying that I needed to have my cam tensioner replaced. Since your warranty is almost up, I would suggest taking your truck to your mechanic (give him a few buck), ask him to look over EVERYTHING and list everything wrong. Good luck and I hope this helps.

-Willie

 

[kvo]

Jornum1 -

There was a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the cam tensioner issue. There was an effective built dates on it, if your vehicle was built between those dates, you can bring it back to the dealer to have it repaired/replaced at no charge, even if the warranty expired. Do a search on this site or may be the person who posted the information sees this and will tell you exactly where to get the post.

I have read that you could be looking at a repair bill of over $1000 easily.

 

[Jornum1]

Thanks alot guys. I will search for that post. Mine has never had any problem engine wise except for the low idle at startup, and like I said I cleaned the MAF and that was fixed. From what you say willie I dont think we have the same problem. YET ;-) I hope I dont, but only time will tell. I just dropped my truck off to the shop to get my repairs from my fender bender. I am getting my bumpers and flares painted red similar to what you did willie. I think it will look great.
Best of luck to you
jason

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by WillieChu


snip

Robert - Don't get me wrong, I love the Explorer and I would buy another one. I'm not one of those yuppies that drive it to the supermarket or to run erans. Take a look at my site: www.WillyChu.com I drive it like it should be driven, "Built Ford Tough" Did Ford give you any problems about your mods? My dealer was actually pretty cool about it.

-Willie

I remove my SuperChip and K&N FIPK whenever I take it to Ford. I leave the Borla on since it would be much more difficult to remove. It saves argueing with them about it. The 15 minutes to remove them is worth the argueing and possible law suits should they try and not cover it. Do a search for Owner Notification Program 00M12. It will tell you everything there is to know about the program. Basically any SOHC Explorer built through 4/2000 is covered under an extended warranty for the tensioners and manifold o-rings. The warranty was extended to 6 years, 72K miles. Bad manifold o-rings caused a surging idle on mine when it was cold. If Ford replaces either item under the program, they are instructed to replace both items (tensioners and o-rings).

 

[Jornum1]

You said manifold o rings? Is that exhaust or intake. I noticed I am getting a hissing sound when I step on the gas. Like a leak. Could this be what that is? They will replace this for under the warantee?

 

[Robert]

Yes, it is the lower intake manifold o-rings. I could swear I heard a hiss in mine when listening under the hood and "blipping" the throttle. I couldn't find anyone else that could definatively hear what I was hearing, however, I have owned my Explorer since new and it was a new sound. They were just trying to hear a "hiss" sound but weren't certian if they were hearing what I was describing. If your idle is surging when it is cold, then that should be enough to warrant looking at it. If you let it go long enough, you will get a Check Engine light as your leak gets big enough to let un-metered air into the cylinders. The lower intake manifold o-rings are the o-rings that are covered under the program.

 

[JDraper]

There is a relatively easy way to check for a vacuum leak under the hood. While the engine is idling, take a can of WD-40 and spray the area you suspect is leaking. If you do have a leak, the wd-40 will cause the idle to blip.

 

[WillieChu]

I cleaned the MAS last night and the problem is still there and it stalled again. This time the check engine light lite up. I haven't checked for any vacum leaks but I'll try that tonight.

 

[WillieChu]

Well, my truck is at Ford again. They checked the computer and determined the 4, 5 & 6 cylinders are surging due to the defective O2 sensor. They've ordered a new one, hopefully this will fix the problem.

-Willie