94 Explorer Intake maintenance

You might be right..........

I think im mixing the 4.0 and the 3.0


"Tommy Wood" > wrote in message
...
>
> "JohanB" > wrote in message
> ...
> > it is impossible for the intake gasket to leak coolant into combustion
> > chamber on a 4.0 OHV.
> > if the gasket is leaking it will leak coolant into the valley where it
> > will
> > mix with the oil
> >
> > Only a leaking headgasket or cracked head will do that
> >
> >
>
> Sorry, I believe you are wrong. In fact, based on my personal experience,
I
> know you are wrong. The coolant gets into the combustion chamber somehow;
> it may be going in some other sneak path related to the manifold gasket.
>
> It will cost nothing to retorque the intake manifold bolts. Beats any of
> the other very expensive alternatives. The rear bolts are very hard to
> reach, requires a mirror to find them.
>
> Also, found out the spark plug order is
>
> Passenger
> Side --> 1 2 3
>
> Front
>
> Driver--> 4 5 6
> Side
>
>
>
>

I checked out my intakes and see it is going to be difficult as hell
to get to the lower intake bolts without taking the upper off.

So I ask, who out there has torqued the lower intake bolts without
taking the upper intake off? How did you do it?


Thanks,


Sam in Raleigh.

I did. Yes, it is somewhat difficult to do it, but with a long extension
and some contortions, you can do it. Probably the hardest part is locating
and seeing them.

I actually climbed into the engine compartment so I could get my eyes
vertical over the manifold to be able to see the bolts, but I was able to
get to them by removing the throttle body plastic cover and maybe the
throttle linkage (don't remember for sure).

I remember that the rear bolts were the toughest to get to. They required a
mirror to even seee them. Also, I might have had to move some sensor wiring
or wiring bracket.


"Sam" > wrote in message
...
>I checked out my intakes and see it is going to be difficult as hell
> to get to the lower intake bolts without taking the upper off.
>
> So I ask, who out there has torqued the lower intake bolts without
> taking the upper intake off? How did you do it?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Sam in Raleigh.

Ah hey thanks man. I just needed to hear from someone who has done
it. I got the Ford Service and Repair Manual in case I need any tech
specs plus a Haynes Manual and all the tools I need.

Thanks for your input.

The next time you will hear from me will be after I have tried to
torque down the lower intake manifold bolts. If it does not make a
difference then I will replace the upper and lower intake.

Cross my finger

-Sam in Raleigh.

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:37:38 -0600, "Tommy Wood" >
wrote:

>I did. Yes, it is somewhat difficult to do it, but with a long extension
>and some contortions, you can do it. Probably the hardest part is locating
>and seeing them.
>
> I actually climbed into the engine compartment so I could get my eyes
>vertical over the manifold to be able to see the bolts, but I was able to
>get to them by removing the throttle body plastic cover and maybe the
>throttle linkage (don't remember for sure).
>
>I remember that the rear bolts were the toughest to get to. They required a
>mirror to even seee them. Also, I might have had to move some sensor wiring
>or wiring bracket.
>
>
>"Sam" > wrote in message
.. .
>>I checked out my intakes and see it is going to be difficult as hell
>> to get to the lower intake bolts without taking the upper off.
>>
>> So I ask, who out there has torqued the lower intake bolts without
>> taking the upper intake off? How did you do it?
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>>
>> Sam in Raleigh.
>

Well I went ahead and tightened the lower intake manifold bolts today.
The bolts were not obviously loose however I did manage to torque each
one down via the torque pattern.
The driver side bolt closest to the firewall had to be done by a small
wrench as there was enough clearance between the firewall and the
upper intake to get my hand back there. The front passenger side was
the hardest and required a universal extension.

I was so happy to get it done that I did not change the spark plug
that was getting damp so I will do that this weekend.

None of the bolts were "loose" however most all of them needed
torquing down...if that makes sense.

Guess I will post an update once it is determined whether the engine
is still loosing cooland or not.

Thanks,

-Sam in Raleigh.

Well I proceeded to replace the intake manifold and valve
cover gaskets today and only got the upper and left side valve cover
off. Due to family obligations I had to leave the vehicle in the
garage until tomorrow.

I thought I would post what I have found so far. I removed the upper
intake manifold. When I looked inside the upper intake I noticed
there was a puddle of oil. Also most of the inside was very moist
with oil. Looking down the throat of the lower intake I see that the
ports are moist.
I am kind of excited wondering what I will find tomorrow when I remove
the lower and the right valve cover.

I got to ahead of myself. Once I had the upper and left valve cover
off I realized that I had not relieved the fuel pressure. I was upset
as I did not read the steps in the Haynes and went ahead at my own
progression.
Long story short...put the upper back on ...enough to be able to
control the air intake so to not run wide open.....disabled the fuel
pump by the inertia switch and ran engine until no fuel pressure.


So anyway I Sunday will be the big day. Kind of excited knowing I
will finally be able to see if the lower intake gasket was the source
of my problem or elsewhere.


-Sam in Raleigh.

On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 03:21:58 -0400, Sam > wrote:

> Well I proceeded to replace the intake manifold and valve
>cover gaskets today and only got the upper and left side valve cover
>off. Due to family obligations I had to leave the vehicle in the
>garage until tomorrow.
>
>I thought I would post what I have found so far. I removed the upper
>intake manifold. When I looked inside the upper intake I noticed
>there was a puddle of oil. Also most of the inside was very moist
>with oil. Looking down the throat of the lower intake I see that the
>ports are moist.

Are you sure it's oil and not transmission fluid? If the vacuum
modulator has a leak it will allow tranny fluid to get sucked up into
the intake. Eventually you would be low on tranny fluid.

>I am kind of excited wondering what I will find tomorrow when I remove
>the lower and the right valve cover.
>
>I got to ahead of myself. Once I had the upper and left valve cover
>off I realized that I had not relieved the fuel pressure. I was upset
>as I did not read the steps in the Haynes and went ahead at my own
>progression.
>Long story short...put the upper back on ...enough to be able to
>control the air intake so to not run wide open.....disabled the fuel
>pump by the inertia switch and ran engine until no fuel pressure.
>
>
>So anyway I Sunday will be the big day. Kind of excited knowing I
>will finally be able to see if the lower intake gasket was the source
>of my problem or elsewhere.
>
>
>-Sam in Raleigh.

The intake gasket can not only leak coolant but also have a leak from
crankcase/valley into intake area causing it to suck up more oil then usual


"Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 03:21:58 -0400, Sam > wrote:
>
> > Well I proceeded to replace the intake manifold and valve
> >cover gaskets today and only got the upper and left side valve cover
> >off. Due to family obligations I had to leave the vehicle in the
> >garage until tomorrow.
> >
> >I thought I would post what I have found so far. I removed the upper
> >intake manifold. When I looked inside the upper intake I noticed
> >there was a puddle of oil. Also most of the inside was very moist
> >with oil. Looking down the throat of the lower intake I see that the
> >ports are moist.
>
> Are you sure it's oil and not transmission fluid? If the vacuum
> modulator has a leak it will allow tranny fluid to get sucked up into
> the intake. Eventually you would be low on tranny fluid.
>
> >I am kind of excited wondering what I will find tomorrow when I remove
> >the lower and the right valve cover.
> >
> >I got to ahead of myself. Once I had the upper and left valve cover
> >off I realized that I had not relieved the fuel pressure. I was upset
> >as I did not read the steps in the Haynes and went ahead at my own
> >progression.
> >Long story short...put the upper back on ...enough to be able to
> >control the air intake so to not run wide open.....disabled the fuel
> >pump by the inertia switch and ran engine until no fuel pressure.
> >
> >
> >So anyway I Sunday will be the big day. Kind of excited knowing I
> >will finally be able to see if the lower intake gasket was the source
> >of my problem or elsewhere.
> >
> >
> >-Sam in Raleigh.

>Are you sure it's oil and not transmission fluid? If the vacuum
>modulator has a leak it will allow tranny fluid to get sucked up into
>the intake. Eventually you would be low on tranny fluid.
>
Yes I am sure it is not tranny however, I suspected my modulator was
defective several months ago and replaced it.


I just got home after test driving my vehicle for 1 hr. I have
finally replaced the lower intake manifold gasket, upper intake
manifold gasket and the fuel rail manifold gasket. I replaced the
valve cover gaskets. I replaced the thermostat and flushed the
coolant. I installed new spark plug wires, new platinum spark plugs
and a new Coil pack.
I installed new fuel injectors.

Now for the results.... BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE. After I got out of the
car just now..I noticed that this was the first time in I do not know
how long that I have not smelled coolant. You see I was loosing
coolant on a regular basis over the last year. I could always smell
coolant however none was left on the pavement or anywhere...eaten up
internally.
When I had the lower intake off I could see the discoloration of the
gasket in a few spots where the coolant was flowing.
Time will tell if the coolant leak is resolved and I suspect it has
been solved.
Spark knocking is present every once in a while but not anywhere like
it used to be. I might have some bad gas in this tank full and will
fill up with from different location tomorrow.
Interstate speeds showed performance increase. It is so much easier
to maintain a constant speed now and less effort is required to
navigate hills, etc. By effort I mean how far and long I have to
depress the accelerator cable.

The old fuel injectors needed to go. They were very dirty looking and
had crud on them..a residue if you will plus some dirt. I guess I
could have tried to wet soak them with a couple tank fulls of fuel
injector cleaner but the way I saw it was that I was in there so I
will make the best of it.

Anyway thanks to all who helped.

If anything happens I will post an update....anything negative.


Sam in Raleigh.

On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:25:17 -0400, Sam > wrote:

>
>>Are you sure it's oil and not transmission fluid? If the vacuum
>>modulator has a leak it will allow tranny fluid to get sucked up into
>>the intake. Eventually you would be low on tranny fluid.
>>
>Yes I am sure it is not tranny however, I suspected my modulator was
>defective several months ago and replaced it.
>
>
>I just got home after test driving my vehicle for 1 hr. I have
>finally replaced the lower intake manifold gasket, upper intake
>manifold gasket and the fuel rail manifold gasket. I replaced the
>valve cover gaskets. I replaced the thermostat and flushed the
>coolant. I installed new spark plug wires, new platinum spark plugs
>and a new Coil pack.
>I installed new fuel injectors.
>
>Now for the results.... BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE. After I got out of the
>car just now..I noticed that this was the first time in I do not know
>how long that I have not smelled coolant. You see I was loosing
>coolant on a regular basis over the last year. I could always smell
>coolant however none was left on the pavement or anywhere...eaten up
>internally.
>When I had the lower intake off I could see the discoloration of the
>gasket in a few spots where the coolant was flowing.
>Time will tell if the coolant leak is resolved and I suspect it has
>been solved.
>Spark knocking is present every once in a while but not anywhere like
>it used to be. I might have some bad gas in this tank full and will
>fill up with from different location tomorrow.
>Interstate speeds showed performance increase. It is so much easier
>to maintain a constant speed now and less effort is required to
>navigate hills, etc. By effort I mean how far and long I have to
>depress the accelerator cable.
>
>The old fuel injectors needed to go. They were very dirty looking and
>had crud on them..a residue if you will plus some dirt. I guess I
>could have tried to wet soak them with a couple tank fulls of fuel
>injector cleaner but the way I saw it was that I was in there so I
>will make the best of it.
>
>Anyway thanks to all who helped.
>
>If anything happens I will post an update....anything negative.
>
>
>Sam in Raleigh.

Glad to hear you seem to have it all sorted out. If you haven't tried
Techroline Fuel Injector cleaner (Fuel additive) you might give it a
try. I've used it in several cars I bought with high mileage and it
always seems to help as judged by smoother idling, which is often the
sign of dirty injectors producing a poor spray pattern.