Still looking for more options on engine dignostics....

[CDblazers]

Ok my update is this I have a recently aquired 99 xlt with the sohc and I am having rough idle problems on cold start. and a "dieseling" pinging only for a few seconds on start up. I have replaced the plugs, cleaned the MAF, cleaned the IAC, I am now open to new suggestions on helping this annoyance, when I got this truck it would stall on cold start it was so bad. these few things have improved it to somewhat stable running ( it doesnt stall anymore) but it will idle rough for few min. I am looking for ideas My feeling is that this engine has not been poperly maintained and need some help. I have read ideas about running a 16 oz bottle of warm water through a vacume line to help clean it out? does it work? I have also toyed with using B-12 chemtool can into the motor then changing oil as it instructs. any feedback on whether this improves my problems ?
While im at it let me ask this too. .... I am not a mechanic by any means so what does it mean to have a coolant smell that resembles oil or light gas? I am having a gasket leak that could be causing this? I had my father tell me that if you have moisture coming out of exaust, then you could have problems with gasket leakage.... Thanks in advance for replys. This web site has an unbievable amount of great info about explorers and I will praise it to everyone I can tell about it. (only wish they had one of these for every vehicle)

 

[mrboyle]

Originally posted by CDblazers
Ok my update is this I have a recently aquired 99 xlt with the sohc and I am having rough idle problems on cold start. and a "dieseling" pinging only for a few seconds on start up. I have replaced the plugs, cleaned the MAF, cleaned the IAC, I am now open to new suggestions on helping this annoyance, when I got this truck it would stall on cold start it was so bad. these few things have improved it to somewhat stable running ( it doesnt stall anymore) but it will idle rough for few min. I am looking for ideas

My first guess would be that you have a bad IAC motor. Either that, or a vacuum leak.

My feeling is that this engine has not been poperly maintained and need some help. I have read ideas about running a 16 oz bottle of warm water through a vacume line to help clean it out? does it work? I have also toyed with using B-12 chemtool can into the motor then changing oil as it instructs. any feedback on whether this improves my problems?

I wouldn't recomend either. By adhearing to a regular maintainence sechedual and sticking with one brand of motor oil, you will benifit the engine far more than some gimic or bandade fix.

While im at it let me ask this too. .... I am not a mechanic by any means so what does it mean to have a coolant smell that resembles oil or light gas? I am having a gasket leak that could be causing this?

I'm not quite sure I understand what you are asking. If you want to know what it means if the coolant has a very stale almost burnt smell, it most likely means the coolant is bad (never serviced) and needs to be flushed.

I had my father tell me that if you have moisture coming out of exaust, then you could have problems with gasket leakage

It is not uncommon for drops moisture to come out of the tail pipe, especially on humid or cold days. The moisture is condensation that forms on the inside of the exhaust, due to the tempature of the inside of the tail pipe vs. the outside tempature. Now, if the moisture comes out in a white cloud, then, you have a problem. This is a sign of coolant being burned.
Have you noticed any sign of rapid coolant loss?
yes= poss. blown gasket
no= no bad gasket.

 

[Jason_25]

Do a search on the 00M12 warranty extension program offered from Ford.

It basically says that up to a certain amount of mileage (I think 70000) the warranty is extended on your Cam Chain Tensioners and Intake Manifold Gaskets.

I beleive those two things are what are causing all your problems.

 

[CDblazers]

Mrboyle ...Thanks I 'll stick to the good ole take care and change the oil and the occasional injestor cleaner then. thats what i needed to hear anyway... I did have someone tell me of the recalls that were mentioned since the thing has 62000 miles i think i will check into that first thing tomorrow. I do know that someone told me if the thing has had these items replaced it would show up on the carfax report and it does not so i will get it done and hope it fixes my problems. thanks so much for your help and ill update with the report ....

 

[Campo]

The 00M12 won't show up on a carfax report, mine showed up having it done once at the Ford dealer, and I had it done again for the same simptoms at 40K. The program only goes to 6 years or 72,000 miles

here's a link Dead Link Removed

I had the 00M12 done again then switched to synthetic oil and have none of the symptoms. don't know it this will work for you.

Hope it helps.