'00 SOHC torque < '98 SOHC torque?

i have a 2000 ford explorer sport with the Standard OverHead Cam
enginel. it runs great (other than the fact that it whistles a little
bit at around 3000 RPM at about 50% throttle) and has not required any
engine work since i bought the vehicle. However, the I dont seem to
get as much low end torque from it as i can from the 1998 4Door XLT
with the same engine. I even have a K&N air filter and Flowmaster
exhaust on it and the low end torque still doesnt match the stock '98
XLT's. Is there anything wrong with my Sport's engine? Is the
whistling a possible vacuum leak? Could my engine timing be off any?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

almfreak

by the way, i changed the plugs in the Sport less than 2 months ago
hoping it would help, and yes they are properly gapped

I know that problem. Sounds exactly like my '97 Limited with 104,000
kms. I looked around the group for files and info and I narrowed it
down to the IAC (idle air control). I can't remember where the info is
but it is here somewhere. The IAC is a flanged device with a wired
connector on the opposite end of the two-bolt flange in the air intake
pipe after the throttle body.

Disconnect the connector (don't force it, it unplugs easy once you
release the lock right) and remove it by loosening the two bolts with a
10 mm spanner of box wrench.

There is also what looks like a black knob on the side of it. Its isn't
a knob. its the housing for the felt wad that serves as some kind of
air filtre. The black outer cylinder comes off with a little persistent
but careful pulling.

Wash off the felt pad with detergent (dishwashing stuff works) and set
it aside to dry.

Set the IAC itself on some kind of metal pan and spray liberally with
carburator cleaner. You should get quite a collection of soot and dirt.
I air dry it with canned air--photographer's stuff. I know, I know,
thats pricey. You can use shop air too but be careful the thing doesnt
get blown away and into the floor.

Spray the bits inside the flanged ports with some wd40 or something
similar and reinstall in reverse order.

You will notice that the problem won't immediately go away albeit a
distinct reduction in the whistling. Drive around a bit and it
eventually goes away. i hope this helps.


wrote:
> i have a 2000 ford explorer sport with the Standard OverHead Cam
> enginel. it runs great (other than the fact that it whistles a little
> bit at around 3000 RPM at about 50% throttle) and has not required any
> engine work since i bought the vehicle. However, the I dont seem to
> get as much low end torque from it as i can from the 1998 4Door XLT
> with the same engine. I even have a K&N air filter and Flowmaster
> exhaust on it and the low end torque still doesnt match the stock '98
> XLT's. Is there anything wrong with my Sport's engine? Is the
> whistling a possible vacuum leak? Could my engine timing be off any?
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> almfreak
>
> by the way, i changed the plugs in the Sport less than 2 months ago
> hoping it would help, and yes they are properly gapped

Here's some info:
1. While the engine is basically the same, Ford changed the output
slightly--the '98 SOHC engine had 5 more ft-lbs of torque than the
1999/2000 but in exchange those years had 5 (or 10?) more horsepower. I
remember comments at the time that this wasn't a good tradeoff because
the higher torque was more useful than the higher horsepower.
2. Your '98 may have had a higher axle ratio(certainly did if it had the
trailer tow package)
3. The 2000 may weigh more than the '98.

Ken


wrote:

> i have a 2000 ford explorer sport with the Standard OverHead Cam
> enginel. it runs great (other than the fact that it whistles a little
> bit at around 3000 RPM at about 50% throttle) and has not required any
> engine work since i bought the vehicle. However, the I dont seem to
> get as much low end torque from it as i can from the 1998 4Door XLT
> with the same engine. I even have a K&N air filter and Flowmaster
> exhaust on it and the low end torque still doesnt match the stock '98
> XLT's. Is there anything wrong with my Sport's engine? Is the
> whistling a possible vacuum leak? Could my engine timing be off any?
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> almfreak
>
> by the way, i changed the plugs in the Sport less than 2 months ago
> hoping it would help, and yes they are properly gapped
>

Thanks guys for the help, i'll be sure to check the axle ratio on the
'98 and see if it has any different gearing. As far as the weight, i
dont think the 2 door explorer sport would weigh more than the 4 door
explorer XLT. But thanks for the tips anyway. I'll be sure to check
it out!

thanks,
almfreak

Thanks guys for the help, i'll be sure to check the axle ratio on the
'98 and see if it has any different gearing. As far as the weight, i
dont think the 2 door explorer sport would weigh more than the 4 door
explorer XLT. But thanks for the tips anyway. I'll be sure to check
it out!

thanks,
almfreak