The beginning of the end

[Sndsational]

Well, I am just about at the end of my rope with my explorer. I have changed numerous parts and also spent hundreds of dollars. The truck still runs like crap!!!

No one can seem to figure out what I am talking about when I say it isn't "right"! I have been told by numerous mechanics that the truck is fine and runs nice. I know my X.... it never ran like this before?!?!?

Basically, it seems as though there is no power....that it struggles to get to speed. seems like it is restricted somehow.....then other times I get on it and WHOA....this thing can go! I will be on the highway and go to accelerate up a hill and the truck will "jump" into higher RPM's rather than a gradual increase in speed....all while feather the pedal. Not a high hill either....more of a steady incline. Same thing in passing a car.

I have experienced hard downshifts and significant "banging" in the drivetrain to the point where I thought the bottom end was falling out. And much more!

The truck has a remanufactured Tranny in it that has about 5000 miles on it now.

Thought that it was fuel pump pressure so I changed the fuel pump....not the problem.

Running out of ideas, thoughts and money. Think the truck may be going up for sale!! Sad, because I like(d) the truck, but so much has been done to it that I really do not know where to start or look now.

Unless someone can help, this may be the end of the exploreera for me!

 

[2000StreetRod]

Trans instead of engine?

When the PCM detects a problem with the transmission it limits the engine performance. I suspect your transmission is not performing properly. There was another member who posted (in the last few months) similar complaints about his engine. Eventually, it was determined that his transmission was at fault.

 

[Sndsational]

Hard nut to swallow

Not that I doubt what you are saying, but this is a remanufactured transmission that was installed after 2 rebuilds on the old. Also, as luck would have it, ran like a dream this AM!?!?!? Possible that it could have something to do with the valve body?

I am also trying to determine weather conditions at time of occurence....yesterday was warm and humid, today it is currently cool with very low humidity. A factor??

 

[Paraphoe]

I am also trying to determine weather conditions at time of occurence....yesterday was warm and humid, today it is currently cool with very low humidity. A factor??

Doubtful, in my unprofessional opinion. I don't see a swing of a few degrees from one summer day to the next being relevant. Summer - to - winter changes, possibly, but not from one day to the next.

 

[Sndsational]

so the valve body maybe

is it possible it is the valve body? I was reading older post that said something about the gasket. could this be an issue?

Also, what about the PCM....is it possible it needs to be " flashed" this truck has had so much work to it, is it possible that the computer needs a "reboot"

Also, I was considering a bad injector somewhere....I do have a rough idle and was thinking that the injector(s) intermittently have "episodes" could this affect the shifting and lack of power/performance.

Problem is I cannot spend money to chase a possible cause...it basically needs to be found!

Thank you all!

 

[2000StreetRod]

which engine?

Do you have the SOHC or the OHV V6?

Do you have any diagnostic trouble codes?

Did you measure the fuel pressure before and after replacing the fuel pump? Did you replace the fuel filter when you replaced the fuel pump? Have you ever replaced the fuel filter? Have you tried adding fuel injector cleaner to your fuel tank?

Have you cleaned the MAF sensor?

 

[Sndsational]

Yes to all but...

Changing the fuel filter after the new pump and also checking pressure after install. But nothing has changed from before to after. Also, the fuel filter was less than 3 mos. old before the pump was replaced.

I have tried injector cleaners and have a newer MAF Sensor that has also been cleaned.

I have the OHV engine

 

[2000StreetRod]

engine compression?

I also would not have replaced a 3 month old fuel filter.

How old are the spark plugs and wires? Also, some members have had problems with Bosch platinum plugs failing early.

Significant misfires should be detected by the PCM and reported as diagnostic trouble codes. You didn't mention if you have any.

I suggest that you perform a compression test on all cylinders (make sure throttle is at WOT). While you have the plugs out check them for normalcy. If the plugs are old then replace them during the compression test. Even though plugs are hard to replace on the Explorer I don't purchase expensive plugs because they seem to fail early with the waste spark ignition system. I suspect its because the current flows in the opposite direction on half of the plugs.

Did your rebuilt transmission include a new or rebuilt torque converter? I would not tear into the transmission until after doing more testing of the engine. One disadvantage with integrated engine/transmission control is isolating to a problem source.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Need to run the diagnostic codes... You're shooting in the dark unless you have some codes, it might point you in the correct direction. I am also voting transmission right now. New or not, they're all mechanical, and they could have set things incorrectly, forgot something, or who knows...

 

[thunderhorse]

similar issues

I had similar issues with a 92, truck just was not right, at times would run like a rabbit, others it felt like it had to labor to get out of it's own way. Harder than normal shift and shifting more often. This was after a trans rebuild. The problem was the trans, the tec had pinched an O-ring somewhere, and caused all the problems.