stupid engine question

[fun_in_mud]

alright ill make this short and sweet i have a 91 explorer eddie baure with a 4.0 i bought it knowing that i needed freez plugs but i drove it home anyway. it drove fine for a little bit now it takes about 5 min of constant cranking, then runs like crap any sugestions?:exporange

 

[little x]

is the CEL on?

 

[fun_in_mud]

cel?

 

[snoborder42]

CEL is Check Engine Light...

Did it overheat when you drove it home?

 

[ExploderHOKIE]

CEL-check engine light
make sure you didn't run dry on coolant and overheat the thing, if u did it could be any number of things

 

[ExploderHOKIE]

after u finally get it to start does it run ok? or does it hesitate, spit and sputter?

 

[fun_in_mud]

after u finally get it to start does it run ok? or does it hesitate, spit and sputter?

it runs like hell and no i never let it overheat and the cel is not on

 

[fun_in_mud]

in more detail i have to keep my foot on the gas or it will die,more of a sputter like it is misfiring,when i put it in drive it dies instantly

 

[little x]

Things to check: general tune up: plugs, wires, filters, fluids.
I think it might be that your MAF is unplugged? or a wire to it is shorted out? Clean the MAF, TB, and IAC. (You can find posts on here about how to clean all of those). See how it runs after that.
I would also sugest resetting your computer (unplug the batery for atleast 30 min).
Also check for vacume leaks, especially at the 'tree' on the back drivers side of the block.

It's odd that you arn't getting a CEL. I'd buy a code reader from an auto parts store (~$30) and check the codes anyway. Something may be stored that will help. Or the CEL bulb may even be burned out and it's throwing up codes all over the place, who knows?

BTW: It's def. NOT good for your starter to crank it for 5 min. straight. You are supposed to let it cool for a peroid of arround 2 min. after cranking it for no more then 30 sec. continuously at a time. Otherwise your overheat the motor and burn it up very quickly.

 

[fun_in_mud]

Thanks man ill try all of that today, iv got a heated garage so i wont freez to death but iv got a new starter, i know it not good to crank it like that, im just trying to get it to start to listen to it and maybe find something stupid thats wrong. a few of my dummy lights are burned out so me cel might be one

 

[Vinniety]

Thanks man ill try all of that today, iv got a heated garage so i wont freez to death but iv got a new starter, i know it not good to crank it like that, im just trying to get it to start to listen to it and maybe find something stupid thats wrong. a few of my dummy lights are burned out so me cel might be one

When you turn the key to the on position did the CEL come on or at least flash. At elast if it did youknow its not the bulb. Back in the days alot of people use to take out the bulb becasue the didnt want it on.

 

[Stew-2]

Hmmm, before checking all those sensors you should start with a compression test. If you did overheat severly you could have numerous mechanical probs such as worn rings, leaking head gasket, valve issues, cracked heads. Check compression first.

 

[97greenmonster]

He said he didnt over heat it.