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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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Messages Page 600 of 639

#5986 of 6385 Haunted Ignition 2000 XLT by movieguns

Feb 05, 2008 (3:35 pm)

I have a 2000 Explorer XLT V-6 that keeps showing the Check Engine light. Also, the engine chugs, pops, shudders and shivers. My local dealer (Galpin Ford) is unable to diagnose the problem. I have been forced to install new spark plugs about every 2000 miles, when the engine begins acting up. In addition to new plugs, I have new plug wires, new ignition module, I run 91 octane gas and I have had my injectors cleaned. A second delaer confirmed the diagnosis of the first and that is, "we don't know what the problem is". The only code shows fouled plugs. HELP!!!!

#5987 of 6385 Re: Haunted Ignition 2000 XLT [movieguns] by electricdesign

Feb 05, 2008 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: movieguns (Feb 05, 2008 3:35 pm)
I also have a 2000 Explorer XLT, but mine is a 5.0L V8, but there are a lot of things about engines that are similar in general. I am amazed that 2 different dealers can not figure out what is wrong with your vehicle. I doubt I can do much more over the internet, but I'll try, and I'm a little short on time tonight. So, explain exactly what is happening to the spark plugs that requires them to be replaced. Mine lasted 100,000 miles and still looked pretty good when I replaced them. If yours foul, are they wet black or dry black? Any sign of any physical damage, like to the electrodes or insulator? If they are fouling, it has to be determined if they are fouling with fuel or with oil. Do all the plugs look the same or similar? If the engine is running this bad, the exhaust will be polluted and will damage the catalytic converter. Check the exhaust to be sure the exhaust gas is coming out freely. What about the running of the engine, what happens as the problem progresses? Does the problem first appear as a high speed miss? Or bad idle or what? What DTC does the computer throw when the check engine light comes on? We need to check fuel system, ignition system, and exhaust system. Any possiblity the cam timing could have slipped? When the plugs are replaced, does the engine run as good as it's supposed to? Just give us as much concise information as you can, and we will see what we come up with.
Good Luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida

#5988 of 6385 1998 Merc. Mountianeer by sandpusher1

Feb 09, 2008 (5:40 pm)

Hi all,
New to the boards. Mom has the above Merc. She has been having a rumbling noise while driving. I do have some experience. I have narrowed it down to the front drive shaft. My question is, How do you remove the transfer case end of this shaft?
It is a c/v type joint. Does it just pop out like a regular c/v? Does it have a clip on the end of the shaft that just takes a good smack to remove it or what needs to be done.
Thanks in advance

#5989 of 6385 Re: Haunted Ignition 2000 XLT [electricdesign] by movieguns

Feb 09, 2008 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (Feb 05, 2008 8:33 pm)
E.D.,
 
     Thanks for the pretty comprehensive reply. After changing plugs (3 of 6 fouled with fuel, wet), the engine runs like it's supposed to run. As time goes by, I will notice a high speed miss every so often. Then, it will occur with more frequency and become more severe as well. Then the miss will become constant at both high speed, lower speed and at idle. Starting will produce a sharp "thump" as the engine turns over. Then comes the exhaust fumes as the engine runs very rich. Does this help you at all?

#5990 of 6385 Re: Haunted Ignition 2000 XLT [movieguns] by electricdesign

Feb 12, 2008 (9:37 pm)

Replying to: movieguns (Feb 09, 2008 7:17 pm)
I don't mean to ignore you, but have been very busy, I bought a 2004 Toyota Highlander last weekend, I've got to service the other cars, and I've got to get the stuff together to do my taxes and get them done, so i'm short on time.
Too many variables here, the miss is coming from the plugs fouling, so the problems boils down to what is fouling the plugs, could be too much fuel, could be bad ignition. I would check the spark at the end of each spark plug wire (don't get shocked), one wire at a time with engine running. See how long an arc you can draw from each wire to ground. All the arcs should be about the same length (over an inch long). A short arc means you found weak fire at a plug wire. Investigate the plug wire and/or coil pack to see where the problem is.
Otherwise, someone is going to have to scope out the engine and do a proper diagnosis. You are just going to have to find a knowlegdable mechanic somewhere.
Good luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida

#5991 of 6385 Re: Haunted Ignition 2000 XLT [movieguns] by electricdesign

Feb 13, 2008 (6:50 pm)

Replying to: movieguns (Feb 09, 2008 7:17 pm)
A few more things:
Since the plugs were wet, are you sure that the plugs are fouled with fuel? Could it be oil fouling? Look closely, try heating the metal body of the fouled plug with a torch, if it is fuel it will burn off and dry quickly. If it is fuel, I would continue to look into ignition, as I said before. If you are sure there is no problem with the ignition system, then check the fuel system.
If the plugs are fouled with oil, then you are looking at a different type problem, usually oil comes up past the piston rings, or past valve guides. If oil is on the plugs, do a compression check on the cylinders to be sure rings are sealing, however good compression alone does not insure that the oil control rings are working well, so it may take some interpretation of both compression readings and manifold vacuum readings.
Good Luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida

#5992 of 6385 Problem With Engine! by thestugots01

Feb 14, 2008 (10:11 am)

I have a 1997 explorer 4.0 6cyl. 4x4, and it ran great for the last year. Then just today it decided to act up, the engine sounded like it was bogging and just running like crap, then the check engine light came on and the CEL was blinking, what is the problem here, and what does a blinking cel like mean?
 
thanks for any help,
 
mike

#5993 of 6385 ABS Sensor shroud by dave166

Feb 17, 2008 (8:52 pm)

I have a '94 explorer 4x4 and while replacing the balljoints I broke the cast metal shroud that surrounds the abs sensor on the disc rotor side because I could not remove the small 12 pt. headed bolt. I have not found that part in my manual nor on any parts web sites for order. I do not think it is critical to the operation of the system since there is another bolt holding the sensor in place from the other side of the knuckle, however, it does appear to be a protective part for the sensor and I would like to have it fixed. Anyone know where to get one and what it's called? I really do not want to try the junkyard ticket.

#5994 of 6385 Re: ABS Sensor shroud [dave166] by movieguns

Feb 17, 2008 (11:07 pm)

Replying to: dave166 (Feb 17, 2008 8:52 pm)
Look into a Chilton manual. If that fails, try your local Ford dealer.

#5995 of 6385 97 Ford Explorer problems by rusie

Feb 18, 2008 (3:17 pm)

4.0 OHV engine runs rough intermittently.Scanner shows engine is running lean.O2 sensors show o voltage.Ive been told its a vacuum leak.Ive listened and sprayed to find a leak.Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Messages Page 600 of 639

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