Won't idle for first 3 minutes when cold

[barneyhyphen]

2000 4.0 SOHC Explorer XLT 190,000 miles. CEL on.

In the morning, when cold, the car will start and immediately climb to approx 1,600-2,000 rpm. It will then immediately drop back to 200-300 and die. start it again and same thing happens.

The only way I have fornd to combat the problem is to rev to 2,500 rpm, pull quickly in to "D" and attempt to pull away. If I can drive for 2-3 minutes without having to come to a stop, the car will then behave fine. put new plugs in two weeks ago which has made NO difference to the cold start problem.

Took the car to Autozone a month ago to have the codes pulled and they came up with 0171 0174 (I believe).

I'm pretty capable with doing just about anything that might need to be done. Any advice or help would be most apprecaited. Thanks.

 

[steventadams]

do a search for "00m12"...

But before you go replacing gaskets clean out your idle air control valve and mass air flow sensor because those will give you a terrible idle if they are dirty...

 

[barneyhyphen]

Steve,

Thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the MAF sensor and IAC a number of times over the past couple of months and the CEL will stay off for about 50 miles but on again it comes. I actually forund the 00m12 kit this morning for $ 54 + tax so I bought it. I'll get it all done one evening this week or at the weekend and report back with the results. The more I experience the problem, the more I think the gaskets ARE the cause. Thanks again to all who responded.

 

[steventadams]

Definitely let us know how it goes

 

[barneyhyphen]

For anyone who's interested...

Actually stripped down and rebuilt four times this weekend!!!!!

Each time, the car gave me a horrible clacking sound and within 90 seconds, dumped 6+ quarts of oil on my garage floor!!!!

After the fourth attempt (I learn slowly) I have noticed that the oil appears to be SPEWING from the lower edge of the new tensioner.

In my four attempts, I used the new tensioner gasket/washer, twice, the old gasket/washer and a self made copper crush washer. The oil SPEWED at every stage.

Going to try for the fifth time this evening, with a NEW gasket/washer I mortgaged the house for this morning ($ 8.25!!!!). I've got the tear-down down to about 25 mins and the rebuild down to about 40 mins.

I have posted a new question on this site regarding the orientation of the seemingly "only works one way" gasket/washer.

Thanks everyone's interest.

 

[barneyhyphen]

Well...Long story short..The Tensioner threaded in off centre so that when snugged home, the top edge of the tensioner shoulder was in contact with the head surface whilst the bottom of the same shoulder was about 1/16' proud. I eventually managed to spot the oil gushing out the bottom of the tensioner shoulder by cranking the engine with the intake off. It actually fired!

So, unfortunately, no way to correct the thread problem in the head without removal of the head and probable replacement.

Enter JB Weld. Why don't hey use this stuff to glue the tiles on the shuttle?

I totally cleaned and dried the head surface and the whole tensioner, inside and out. Threaded it in to the head to about 3/16" from snug. Mixed up a glob (Technical term) of JBW and applied same, with a toothpick, to the under shoulder of the tensioner, being careful to not get any in the tensioner iol feed hole. cranked the tensioner down at 38 lbs.

Unfortunately, it was 23 degrees that night so...took a trip to Goodwill and bought myself a small hairdrier. Turned the HD on low and wedged it in to about 4" from the tensioner. Left it 36 hours to dry/harden.

reassembled all the top bits last night and fired her up. Result......

NO leak, NO cold idle problem any more (because I changed the intake gaskets) AND, now running way quiter than for the past 40,000 miles.

JB weld rules. It DOES work.

 

[gijoecam]

Umm, for the record, I believe I called it halfway into the other post... I suggested a cross-thread, but was shot down.

Can I get an 'I told ya' so' outta this one?

Glad she's back up and running.

-Joe

 

[exploder72]

Same thang with mine!

Barneyhyphen, i now it has been awhile since u posted this.
I did the same thing with my 99 explorer. I tried a metal washer, fiber washer
& JB weld & still am having leaks. On the last successful install you performed with jb weld , did you use a washer & if so what kind?