still having idling issues and out of ideas, help?!

[Darian Key]

Let me start with this, it'll periodically run ok but most the time its just crappy. On cold starts when I start it it revs up and imediatly drops down (from 1700 to about 900 rpms) and idles very rough and smells very heavily likes exhaust fumes. Once warmed up, if I can even get it to run normal, it'll idle fine then all of a sudden drop down and start hesitating REALLY bad and again still heavy in exhaust fumes. Now here is the thing... When its running crappy its very very hard to rev almost sounds like I'm running out of gas and I have to put it to the floor just to rev it to like 3 grand or so. I noticed if I rev the crap out of it when its running like crap it seems to smooth it out a little. When I was going to clean the injectors I noticed I had coolant leaking from in between the heads, blown headgasket ok. So now I replaced the headgaskets, every gasket, and soaked my injectors in a fuel treatment over night. She is running again but still the EXACT same problems, along with it idling very high until I come to a COMPLETE stop so downshifts are harsh and I can't take off smoothly it just jumps up. My only idea is a bad fuel regulator but I don't have the money now to keep trying stuff. What do you guys think? I'm starting a new job soon and I need my explorer running tip top very soon. Its a 97 4.0 ohv 162k. I've replaced the IAC, tps, checked the iat sensor, cleaned and checked the mass air flow, new plugs and wires, tested the coil pack and I believe its ok, new fuel filter about 3k miles ago, fuel pump reading correct pressure, the list goes on.

 

[Frustrated9]

Sorry . Sounds close to my issues. Will watch your thead for ideas

 

[Darian Key]

I was told clogged cat(s) as a possible problem. I have no clue, I went to start it today and it won't even run or rev, it just bogs and dies. It even backfiring thru the intake a few times

 

[Darian Key]

I'll also add that when I did I did the head gaskets the number 1, 2, 3, and 6 cylinder exhaust valves seemed burnt from the last time it ran, the number 5 one was slightly burnt and the number 4 one wasnt burnt at all. And like I said when I rev the crap out of it usually around 4000 or so it smooths out, for a few minutes.

 

[ford_67]

Are there any diagnostic codes showing? I will have to agree with the clogged CATS. They will make an engine do all sorts of crazy stuff. Hell disconnect the CAT(S) and see if it will at least stay running. Don't forget your ear plugs.