The mechanic says.....

[gwynn1975]

I have a 2004 Explorer 4.0 SOHC V6 that I have been dumping a ton of money into, and my problem is still not solved.
My Service Engine Soon light came on and I noticed a rough idle and "shaking" while in "drive" and at a stop.
I had the mechanic run the codes, and it was showing misfires and running lean.

He has changed the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and did a vacuum leak smoke test. After I paid for all that, it is still running rough with a shake at a stop and idle.

The mechanic says that he thinks my timing chain has "jumped" and he will charge me $2800 to fix it.

Here's my dilemma:
It only idles rough at times. (Not a constant)
I have done a search on here, and everything that I see doesn't ever mention the timing chain.
I cleaned my MAF and it seems to run a little bit smoother, but it is still throwing codes and running rough. In my search, I have also read that the 2004 does not have a IAF.

One other thing that I noticed today, was if I really give it some throttle going down the road, I hear a strange noise that seems to be coming from where my MAF is located, but of course, I can't tell exactly, because I'm driving down the road when I hear the noise.

Please help. I really don't want to pay the mechanic all that money, when it might not fix my problem.

Thanks in advance.

 

[swshawaii]

Please post your trouble code numbers if you already have them.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2054355&postcount=2

Before you spend another dime on that "mechanic", call around for an auto parts
store that scan trouble codes free. Write the numbers down and report back. GL

 

[ccm2001]

Clean your idle air control and check the PCV line elbow for a crack. Also clean your throttle body , and adjust your idle a little bit higher. I had the same problem.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

goto oreilly, advanceauto or autozone and have them check for codes. post it here.

2004-up don't have IAC anymore, it's throttle by wire.

goto a different mechanic and have them clean the throttle body.

 

[Number4]

04 and 05 had improved hoses. Most likely won't find any cracks. All you can clean I believe is the TB. But the TB issue seems to only reside with the 4.6l.
My 05 4.0 has a feeling at idle that seems like a miss. Give it gas and it goes, no problem at all. And not every idle is the same. Sometimes it's a little "miss" feeling other times it's more predominant.
Absolutely no codes and no CEL on mine. I've wondered if it isn't an issue with the plastic intake but have never checked. I know others have posted similar symptoms in the past.

 

[swshawaii]

ccm2001- Ditto above. 2004 and newer are "throttle by wire" and do not have IAC valves. (No throttle cable)
The KCV190 PCV elbow is not used on this engine, it's only used on 2001-03 Sports and 2001-05 Job 2 ST's.
Also, there is no idle speed adjustment, the screw is an idle stop to prevent the TB butterfly from sticking.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280738

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_by_wire

 

[gwynn1975]

UPDATE:
I cleaned the MAF and the TB and then disconnected my negative battery cable. The Service Engine Soon light went off, and I took the Explorer for a drive. It was running a little rough and missed for a few minutes. It seemed to start running better. I got back to the house and let it idle for about 30 minutes. Still no SES light. I left the vehicle sit for about 2 hours and had to go to the store. I started the vehicle, let it idle for about 30 more minutes before I left, and when I got in, the SES light was back on.
The Explorer ran better than before, but it still idles a little rough when at a stop light.

Is it possible that I just need to keep cleaning out the TB? It seemed to do the trick for an hour or so. Possibly left over gunk from cleaning it?

 

[lincolnshibuya]

the fact that the check engine light is on means that you have to figure out what the codes are. ignoring that might destroy your catalytic converters and/or 02 sensors soon.

 

[boominXplorer]

Get the check engine light code and report back. You could have a vacuum leak to bad head gasket with what you have described. You don't have to shoot in the dark if the CEL is on, it's going to tell you what is wrong.

 

[IIGood]

UPDATE:
I cleaned the MAF and the TB and then disconnected my negative battery cable. The Service Engine Soon light went off, and I took the Explorer for a drive. It was running a little rough and missed for a few minutes. It seemed to start running better. I got back to the house and let it idle for about 30 minutes. Still no SES light. I left the vehicle sit for about 2 hours and had to go to the store. I started the vehicle, let it idle for about 30 more minutes before I left, and when I got in, the SES light was back on.
The Explorer ran better than before, but it still idles a little rough when at a stop light.

Is it possible that I just need to keep cleaning out the TB? It seemed to do the trick for an hour or so. Possibly left over gunk from cleaning it?

Having pulled the battery cable will temporarily clear the SES light. If there's a code in the system still present, it will eventually come back on. I just did this with my girlfriend's truck; she had her engine light on for a while pending a catalytic converter replacement, but before the cat got replaced she ended up needing a new battery. I replaced the battery and for about a day, the engine light was gone. But it did come back on. The cat has since been replaced and the light has remained off.

Get the code checked out and really see what's going on. Any chain parts store can pull the code for free.