Urgent. Explorer died and won't start. Engine problem?

[KnightLightning]

Hi. I am a new member. Quick info. I drive a v6 mustang, my parents drive a 91 explorer sport with 160K original engine and trans, runs great. My mom's 2000 explorer with 91K just died. I need some help quickly as our car is currently in the shop.

On the day it died, it "rumbled/shaked/lurched" a bit once while she had the heater on (the check engine light turned on, and she immediately turned off the heater and the car appeared ok) so she drove fine to work. After work, she started it and it "rumbled" again, drove half a mile with the heater, then the check engine light went on it "rumbled" she turned off the heater again, but this time the car died.

We tried jumping the car, and it just would not go, the lights were on and everything and it would click, click, click, click, but not fire up. So, we've pretty much ruled out the starter or battery. My dad and the shop thinks something is wrong with the engine. I check oil fluid- full, radiator coolant- full. They think it's the engine, but I'm in denial about the engine because i haven't heard of any problems with engines at 90K. It was not overrevved abused etc. No problems of overheating, though we did replace the thermostat at like 86K. I haven't found steam coming outta the pipes, and don't think it's a blown head gasket. I am maybe thinkin...fuel pump or fuel related...last time i heard them crank it, i don't recall hear the fuel injection.

Please, I need help quickly, as it's in the shop and they are talkin' of rebuilding, replacing the engine 2-3 thousand bucks (Ouch) and I don't think they need to be tearing into the engine if not engine related. I've got some basic automotive knowledge, but am no engine guru. I could use all expert advice. Thank you very much for reading this long paragraph. I am in Orange County, CA if anyone would like to lend a hand. Thank you very much in advanced for any and all help.

Vince

 

[jimbo74]

spray starting fluid down the throttle body while someone trys to start it.. stand by the side though, you arent supposed to test it that way... but if it runs then its fuel related.... also..... the reason to stand to the side is that it may have a intake backfire and actually spit a fireball out of the throttle body... i have done it before and was scary

 

[KnightLightning]

hmm....good suggestion to see if it's fuel related...is there a safer, better way? thanks for the quick reply jimabena74. More responses or experience would be appreciated thanks.

 

[jimbo74]

its not really that unsafe.... you might want to verify spark first......

my moms fuel pump went out on her 96 x.... the first thing i did after i knew it was cranking ruling out the battery was pull a plug wire and placed it on the intake, then had my mom try to start it, i had spark, then tested another one, to reverify spark, same amount of spark... then figured fuel, and went into the garge and had her crank on the engine hwile spraying starting fluid... it ran..... checked the efi fuses, all was fine....... i replaced the fuel pump a couple days later and all was better.....

 

[KnightLightning]

oh ok, good idea about the spark plug. more ideas welcome.

 

[MustangShane]

Spark is a good one to check. What about the alternator. I know sometimes if it goes out the vehicle wont start. Not enough voltage to fire.

 

[marragtop]

When you turn the key to the ON position (but don't crank it), you should hear the fuel pump prime for about 2-3 seconds. If you don't hear that, it could be a bad fuel pump, or fuel relay switch. Fuel relay is a very easy fix. There is no way I would let anyone talk me into a engine rebuild until they can tell you what's wrong with it. Spark and fuel issues do not require a rebuild. Have you had the engine codes pulled yet? Might also want to do a compression check...

 

[TPLYNCH]

If it is only clicking, not cranking, then it's a battery/solenoid/starter issue. Check all connections and make sure battery is charged.

Your initial symptoms of rumbling when heat on would lead me toward an IAC problem (controls idle when compressor turns on and off) or compressor problem itself (causing excessive drag on the engine) since the A/C compressor runs in all positions except panel and floor. Not sure if seized compressor would lead to inability for the engine to crank?

 

[KnightLightning]

Thanks for the replies, i'll check up on your ideas when i get access to the car. Anyone actually think there is an engine problem?

 

[410Fortune]

which engine?
The sport in 01 came with the SOHC 4.0L or the OHV 4.0L, I think.
That might help

I agree it sounds fuel related. Also a shop who tells you you need a new engine right off the bat is not the best shop to have perform repairs, sounds like they want your $$$ not to help you fix your truck.

 

[KnightLightning]

4.0 sohc in the 2000 xlt

 

[KnightLightning]

Well, the fuel pump works, so guess it's not fuel. They say the only thing left would be that the engine is damaged. I dunno, they said they'd have to tear it open, either that or drop in a new engine. I think that's the route we're goin'. Is ebay the way to go? Jasper engines are on the expensive side. Really weird for an engine to go at 90K.

 

[goobenet]

Think you're still jumping the gun a wee too fast there. Engines are no small task to change out. Nor cheap. You say you hear the fuel pump, but have you verified fuel pressure at the intake? (had that problem recently) Also does the starter try to crank? I didn't see a response to the typical "take a wrench and bang on the starter" question. Also, get someone to pull the computer codes. They'll tell you everything that it thinks is wrong. Since it's clicking when you turn the key, i'd start looking at starters, solinoids, and batteries, after that, i'd find out if you can move the crankshaft. All these things are easy to do, and verify if you have or haven't locked up the engine. 90k is a wee bit too soon for an engine to die, unless you forgot to add oil for the last 10k miles. I wouldn't resign to an engine swap until you can say safely that there's something really messed up in the current one. I've seen people pay for an engine swap when all they needed was a new A/C compressor. (Compressor had locked up, causing the belt to smoke, and give you that nice squeal, dealer instantly said engine dead)

 

[witchdoctor]

i dunno, but to me that sounds like an alternator problem.

 

[ThespecialistKC]

I wouldn't let them do a damn thing till they pull the codes on the engine. Till I know for sure what the problem is, I don't let a single wrench touch the engine. I've seen too many mis-diagnosed problems from shops and dealerships alike to simply trust what someone has to say without seeing the evidence with my own eyes.
But that's just me.....

KC

 

[elkhunter]

I agree. Pull the plugs and see if you can turn the engine over with a socket on the dampner. If so, it isn't seized. While the plugs are out see if it will crank. If not the starter may be shot. If you CAN'T turn it over by hand with no plugs in it you do have some major problems.

 

[KnightLightning]

Thanks for the help guys. We had two other opinions and they tried to crank it by hand too. No go. So we ended up paying under 1200 for a 00 engine with 21K and the swap.

 

[spencerlonghorn]

I agree. Pull the plugs and see if you can turn the engine over with a socket on the dampner. If so, it isn't seized. While the plugs are out see if it will crank. If not the starter may be shot. If you CAN'T turn it over by hand with no plugs in it you do have some major problems.

Can someone tell me if this is what I need to do?
91 Explorer alot of the same problem just clicking noise
I checked and the fuel pump is working
Not the battery nor the starter
What is the silinoid and how would I go about checking that?

Thanks so much for helping a newbie.
I have had this thing forever without any major problems and it has 168K miles on it! I guess it's time for something new, huh?

 

[TPLYNCH]

Have you ever replaced the battery cables. On the early Ex's, they tended to rot on the inside. Can't carry the current needed to turn the starter. If still original, replace them and make sure the battery is charged.