Worsening stalling/idling issues....

[jjay66]

Hi all
Could do with some advice. I've only owned my explorer for about a month. I thought I'd resolved my idling problems a couple of weeks ago when I cleaned the MAF and IAC and it seemed to be running ok except for cold start probs (which are a minor irritation).
Today in traffic she started cutting out again. Not easy to get home across North London in the rush hour when you have to rev like crazy in neutral and then flip it into gear with your foot still on the accelerator!!!
The car was meant to have had the timing chain tensioner and gaskets replaced a few months ago by the previous owner (I have the receipts for the parts).
When it first cut out today there was a slight smell of burning. Now will barely idle at all. Any suggestions?

JJ

 

[Howard]

If you look from the front just under the intake pipe you can see if the tensioner has been done. If the tensioner has a large protrusion on top of the nut then it is the new type if the nut is flat then its the old one. It also might just want the lower manifold bolts tightening a bit or some other vacuum leak.

 

[jjay66]

Cheers Howard,
do you know of any images/diagrams that illustrate what I should be looking at?
JJ

 

[Howard]

This might help you. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=487634&postcount=33 I don't know of any others at the moment.

 

[jjay66]

Yeah I've been looking at that. Very helpful. Only problem is that the old tensioner protrudes above the bolt too! I'm thinking I should be able to identify whether it's a replacement by the condition of it though.
The receipt I have from Newport Ford is for tensioner-£24.90/gasket-£8.12/cassette-69.11. The part numbers are not the same as the ones attributed to the 00M12 kit I saw on eBay though
So you think it's possible that the lower manifold bolts weren't tightened sufficiently (assuming the work was done at all). I'm going to search the forums for "checking for vacuum leaks now". All fun and games....
JJ

 

[jjay66]

Well, well...
flat bolt head - lying b@$tard didn't change the tensioner!
Thanks for that tip Howard. I seem to recall noticing someone thanking you for helping to source the 00M12 kit. Any suggestions?
JJ

 

[Howard]

They may have changed the tensioner just not used the revised part, just a new old one. If you are in a hurry then try http://www.usautomotive.co.uk/ as all the ones that I got from the USA have gone now. I suspect that Christmas would delay any more but I can get them if you can afford to wait.

 

[jjay66]

Yes you may be right about the "new old" tensioner I suppose.
Anyway it appears that the problem is with the LPG conversion. I didn't think it was relevant as originally it was behaving the same way with both fuels but at present it runs like a dream on petrol and not at all on gas so I'd say it's a dead cert thats it's to do with the way the LPG is fed into the intake.
It's even cold starting ok (with the current frosty weather) and what a great drive on petrol! Just a bit pricey.
I'll have to see if I can get this LPG system tweaked. I have no info on it except that it's a LandiRenzo set up and, given the lack of injectors it looks like a single point system.
Will hold off on the 00m12 for now.....
JJ

 

[jonsco]

Hi
I have dual fuel as well and a very similar problem with stalling when warm. Cleaned the IAC today and am doing the MAF tomorrow.
Stalling is due to the A/C Compressor clutch kicking in about every 20-30 seconds. A fairly regular thing if it needs a gas recharge.
Dont remember having this problem last winter though

 

[jjay66]

Hi Jonsco
Interesting. I dare say we'll be swapping some notes.
Did you install the LPG conversion or was it in there when you got the car? Also what kind of system is it?
My car is running fine on petrol but I have to get something sorted out soon as I'm only getting 200 miles on 70 litres in town!
My A/C is super cold so I'd be surprised if it needed gassing.
We'll have to start are own thread!
Happy New Year by the way
JJ

 

[jonsco]

Hi JJ
Happy New Year
The conversion was there when I bought it 18 months ago and is a multi point, though it is due for gas service this month and MOT and Tax. Ouch!
I cleaned th MAF this morning, it didnt really look that dirty.
One thing I did find looking through postings was that if you put the right hand heater control to floor only, it stops the A/C cycling, and it seemed to work over the weekend. It didnt stall once. It is a pain having to remember to reset the switch though.
Your fuel consumption is high on petrol, I get that running LPG, even more if I take the lead wellie off.
Would suggest you have a look through or do a search for Ex mechanics, local to you. Howard is probably best for that sort of info.
Cheers
John

 

[jjay66]

No it was the IAC that seemed to be the culprit. I used WD40 and cotton buds to dissolve/scrub out all of the sooty deposits and then cleaned that out with Carburettor cleaner. Also cleaned and turned over over the little gaskets which were a little crimped.
The LPG isn't working at all - cuts out as soon as I flip so I'm thinking it's one of the system components thats failing but hey, I'm no mechanic.
I did see on a couple of sites that a single point shouldn't be used on an Explorer because of the plastic manifold....
I'm going to call a LPG specialist in the next few days (eek)
I'm going to take some pictures of the system tomorrow and start a new thread (if I can figure out how to upload them).
I'd be interested in your observations (compare and contrast type stuff!). Always keen to try and get a head start before approaching a "specialist" if you know what I mean!!
Keep your eyes out for an "LPG" thread
Cheers,
JJ

 

[jjay66]

Hey jonsco
I tried flipping to LPG with the fan on on legs only and it worked! It still idles a bit rough but I've been for a spin and it didn't cut out. Staerted new thread - PMing you,
JJ