sohc problem

[97pos]

Ok Ive read some of the posts here but not sure this is the death rattle cause its really not rattling. Its a 97 xlt with the sohc. Problem is it ran fine when we bought it and two days later it started idling rough in drive and sitting at a stop it sounds like its idling rough enough to die sometimes. The guy before changed the coil pack and I've changed plugs, wires and idler pulley. The codes are both saying spark problem and fuel problem. Those were common on both codes but there is others on each like vacuum and maf sensor. This thing is driving me nuts. The mechanic said replace plug wires try that. It helped some but still sucks. Its only a 3rd vehicle for us and has 107,000 miles. Any help would be appreciated. It also before the wires were changed looked like it needed a motor mount cause the engine shook alot. Also when you put it in gear it has a air flow sound that kind of sounds like a vacuum leak.

 

[IZwack]

Maybe the IAC or an O2 sensor?

 

[97pos]

I think the o2 sensor may have came up on one of the codes. If everything wasnt a pain in the a$$ to get to on this truck I'd have no problem throwing in whatever but when I have to change plugs from underneath..... I knew I shouldnt have bought another one.. lol

 

[baron4406]

Mine started doing the same thing right as soon as it got a bad death rattle. Idles real low and shakes like crazy. Ive changed the plugs, wires, IAC, both O2 sensors, Cleaned the MAF 3 times, TB 3 times, installed new front cam chain tensioner, new upper and lower intake gaskets. Things still rattles, still gets 12 mpg and still idles real rough. I'm a very experienced mechanic and don't mind tackling the timing chain job, but you gotta buy $150 tool kit to do it then the tool kit becomes a paperweight. This Explorer has the honor of being the last American vehicle i will EVER buy. Its actually a quest to get this thing running right, its would be easier to just push it off a cliff- but i hate taking the easy way out.

 

[97pos]

thats kind of her take is to get rid of it but its only a month old. got it reasonably cheap with those miles and a perfect leather interior. like I said its a 3rd vehicle we only have it for a lil more room with kids and 4 wheel drive. I've only owned american when its been a muscle car, lowrider or 4 wheel drive truck so most of my cars and stuff has been on imports. in fact we have a 2008 galant thats hers and mine which is a 2003 maxima se which I love. its been a vehicle that runs perfect even with 133000 miles. so basically blow it up is what I've been saying and swap in a v8. lol or burn it to the ground.

 

[97pos]

ok here's the codes it gets p0171, p0175, p0304. I got an 02 sensor yet to intall cause I've searched and seen some people say its that and some say its the maf or the intake gaskets. all the ignition has been replaced runs a little better but after it warms up rough idle. any help now on the possibility of what it is or actually is? thanks

 

[SoBeLover]

ok here's the codes it gets p0171, p0175, p0304. I got an 02 sensor yet to intall cause I've searched and seen some people say its that and some say its the maf or the intake gaskets. all the ignition has been replaced runs a little better but after it warms up rough idle. any help now on the possibility of what it is or actually is? thanks

I don't know what your problem is but the codes indicate the following: P0171 System too Lean (Bank 1), P0175 System too Rich (Bank 2), P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Hope this helps

 

[97pos]

yeah I got those. just trying to figure out wtf is going on. I know a bad 02 can cause the ecu on cars to lean out or enrichen fuel. I have one I can put on just wanted to see what else it could be. I know a few posts up he said he replaced everything and his still runs bad. I was just hoping that wouldnt happen and maybe someone had narrowed it down to what their cause was and I could check it but maybe not lol.

 

[budwich]

I would run a compression test on a few cylinders and see what you get. That may give you a better idea of where to look.... mechanical or elsewhere.

 

[97pos]

ok so narrowed it down to the timing chain guides and cassette. I'm having one problem and I've read that 15 page write up about this and am still a little fuzzy. When I get the crank with the tool on tdc one cam tool will slip in fine but when I put it on the drivers side its a lil off. Is this due to the timing slipping? or should that tool fit both at tdc? Or just the passenger side should fit? Its starting to get irritating and all I need to know if it thats right or is that drivers side gonna have to be retimed when the new gear goes on? Thanks.

 

[ThePhoenix]

This Explorer has the honor of being the last American vehicle i will EVER buy. Its actually a quest to get this thing running right, its would be easier to just push it off a cliff- but i hate taking the easy way out.

well said...

visionquest

 

[97pos]

ok so update is its fixed. when I broke it open my timing guides are in great shape but the guide for the cam was broke. I installed the new cassette and tensioners and now it runs and idles great. Thanks to this site and the book I have for getting it right the first time.

 

[bluestream1]

ok so update is its fixed. when I broke it open my timing guides are in great shape but the guide for the cam was broke. I installed the new cassette and tensioners and now it runs and idles great. Thanks to this site and the book I have for getting it right the first time.

97pos, do you have a part number for the front cassette? Is there a kit that includes the chain and sprockets as well?

 

[97pos]

luckily I found the paper I wrote the number on. I've thrown all the receipts away I think but the number I found is 4L2Z-6M289-AA. I believe it was 96 bucks at the dealer and yeah it came with both sprockets the chain and the guide which is a better metal reinforced plastic one. They may say something about it being a 2002+ part number and it is because they redid the design then. Its the right one. hope that helps.

 

[bluestream1]

Thanks! Was your original guide made of all plastic?

FYI: Part number 4L2Z6M289AA was superseded by part number 5U7Z6a257AA which was also superseded by part number 7U3Z6A257A.

 

[97pos]

the 6a257 one sounds more like the one I had written down somewhere or was on the receipt. sorry I didnt think I'd need them anymore. The dealership only ever wants the middle part of the number like 6a257, 6m289 etc. Yes the bottom guide was all plastic upper was metal reinforced. its like a scissor deal. Its hinged. I wasnt even gonna do the chain and sprockets but since it came with it.

 

[chance942]

you said it

 

[joker1457]

Sounds like your going in the right direction. Check out my post of 4.0 Sohc Help.... long story short had a bunch of tensioners replaced ran like crap mechanic left bolts loose, he tightened them pures like a kitten. Also check your Mass air flow and crank position senson they tend to get dirty and cause all sorts of issues.

 

[rtayloria]

2002 4.0 SOHC with same issue

I have a vacuum line hanging from the air pressure Reservoir, one line comes out of globe and goes to brake and the other heads up and then drops straight down connected to nothing. I feel that this is why my air will only blow out defrost vent, but when I disconnect the MAF the idle smoothes out so I think I may have a bad MAF if the loose vacuum line is not causing the issues. I also have errors 1074,1401,0171, 0300, but I have a feeling they are all related to the loose vacuum line that I can not find a home for. A friend thought in his Ranger the line looped back around and went into the globe on the side and although there are photos of the globe and vacuum lines on a forum here, there are no photos of where the two vacuum lines connect after leaving the globe. Anyone know where the lowest price MAF sensor would be to buy, and any help finding the dangling vacuum lines home would be of great help.

RT

 

[chance942]

p1074? fuel air metering,aux emission control,emissions,fuel lean,bank 1,multiple cylinder misfire...find out where those lines go before you buy a maf,it's a pain in the ass i know but it might save you a buck er 2.