94 Explorer-acts like starving for fuel when accelerating, but.....

When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.

I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
right up.

I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.

Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .

Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.

Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
I accelerate, slowly of course.

This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.

By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Jim

Easy to replace - the air filter.
While your at it, clean the IAC.

Charlie


"J Adams" > wrote in message
...
> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>
> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
> right up.
>
> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>
> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>
> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>
> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>
> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>
> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>
> Appreciate any suggestions.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jim

Pulled the air filter, it's dirty. I'll replace it.

What's the IAC?

Also, it just died on me, twice, and was hard to start. An observation
on that is that on restarting I did not hear the fuel pump cycle until
the 5th try when I heard it cycle and then it started. What are the
chances the fuel pump is bad after a couple of months?

On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
> wrote:

>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>
>Charlie
>
>
>"J Adams" > wrote in message
.. .
>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>>
>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
>> right up.
>>
>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>>
>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>>
>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>>
>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>>
>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>>
>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>>
>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jim
>

replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC. Everything
is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.

I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but not
always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
for fuel once its running?



On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
> wrote:

>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>
>Charlie
>
>
>"J Adams" > wrote in message
.. .
>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>>
>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
>> right up.
>>
>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>>
>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>>
>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>>
>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>>
>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>>
>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>>
>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jim
>

First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the fuel
pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
"J Adams" > wrote in message
...
>
> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC. Everything
> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
>
> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but not
> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
> for fuel once its running?
>
>
>
> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
> > wrote:
>
>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>>
>>Charlie
>>
>>
>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>>>
>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
>>> right up.
>>>
>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>>>
>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>>>
>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>>>
>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>>>
>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>>>
>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>>>
>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Jim
>>

Hi Rob

Here's the answers to your questions.

4.0 V6. The CEL does not come on. The fuel pressure at idle is 30PSI.

Thanks

Jim

On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:14:43 -0800, "Rob Morris"
> wrote:

>First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the fuel
>pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
>"J Adams" > wrote in message
.. .
>>
>> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC. Everything
>> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
>>
>> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but not
>> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
>> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
>> for fuel once its running?
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>>>
>>>Charlie
>>>
>>>
>>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
...
>>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
>>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>>>>
>>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
>>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
>>>> right up.
>>>>
>>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel pressure
>>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
>>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
>>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>>>>
>>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>>>>
>>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>>>>
>>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out as
>>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>>>>
>>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>>>>
>>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp on
>>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>>>>
>>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Jim
>>>
>

"J Adams" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Rob
>
> Here's the answers to your questions.
>
> 4.0 V6. The CEL does not come on. The fuel pressure at idle is 30PSI.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jim
>
> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:14:43 -0800, "Rob Morris"
> > wrote:
>
> >First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the fuel
> >pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >>
> >> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC. Everything
> >> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
> >>
> >> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but not
> >> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
> >> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
> >> for fuel once its running?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
> >>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
> >>>
> >>>Charlie
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
> >>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
> >>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
> >>>>
> >>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
> >>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
> >>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
> >>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
> >>>> right up.
> >>>>
> >>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel
pressure
> >>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
> >>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
> >>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
> >>>>
> >>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
> >>>>
> >>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
> >>>>
> >>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out
as
> >>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
> >>>>
> >>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
> >>>>
> >>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp
on
> >>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
> >>>>
> >>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks
> >>>>
> >>>> Jim
> >>>
> >

How old are the spark plugs and wires? Do you have any white smoke when you
first start it in the morning? Are you losing any coolant? I'm considering
the possiblility of a leaking head gasket or intake manifold gasket. Is
your temperature gauge reading normal?

Do you have any loose vacuum connectons, especially at the cluster on the
intake manifold? If you do check for signs of transmission fluid which
could indicate a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission.

The plugs and wires are 6 months old.
I noticed yesterday some white smoke when I first started it, then
after 5 minutes no smoke. Don't seem to have any coolant issues, but
it does run on the cool side.

The vacuum pressure is fine and don't seem to have any vacuum leaks. I
didn't notice any transmission fluid or coolant in the oil. How would
I determine if there is coolant in the oil? Or am I misreading that
part?

Regarding the head and intake manifold gasket, when I hook up the code
reader I get a '10' which says there is a problem with cylinder one,
but that has been reading that for a long time.

This morning, after driving for 15 minutes it started sputtering and
coughing (like I was out of fuel) then died. It did that the rest of
the way home, not all the time just occassionally. I wasn't driving it
hard or accelerating, just driving 25MPH.

Thanks Jim

On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:08:37 -0800, "Ulysses" />
wrote:
>
>How old are the spark plugs and wires? Do you have any white smoke when you
>first start it in the morning? Are you losing any coolant? I'm considering
>the possiblility of a leaking head gasket or intake manifold gasket. Is
>your temperature gauge reading normal?
>
>Do you have any loose vacuum connectons, especially at the cluster on the
>intake manifold? If you do check for signs of transmission fluid which
>could indicate a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission.
>
>
>"J Adams" > wrote in message
.. .
>> Hi Rob
>>
>> Here's the answers to your questions.
>>
>> 4.0 V6. The CEL does not come on. The fuel pressure at idle is 30PSI.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:14:43 -0800, "Rob Morris"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the fuel
>> >pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
>> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >>
>> >> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC. Everything
>> >> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
>> >>
>> >> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but not
>> >> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
>> >> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
>> >> for fuel once its running?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
>> >> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>> >>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>> >>>
>> >>>Charlie
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>> >>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the engine
>> >>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>> >>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit dying
>> >>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>> >>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would start
>> >>>> right up.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel
>pressure
>> >>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as in
>> >>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the pressure
>> >>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes out
>as
>> >>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I stomp
>on
>> >>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanks
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Jim
>> >>>
>> >

"J Adams" > wrote in message
...
> The plugs and wires are 6 months old.
> I noticed yesterday some white smoke when I first started it, then
> after 5 minutes no smoke. Don't seem to have any coolant issues, but
> it does run on the cool side.

Intake minifold gasket leaks are common on the early Explorers. White smoke
at startup could mean it's trying to burn some coolant along with the
gasoline. Sometimes, from what others have said, when it warms up it will
stop leaking (at least as much). Possibly it's leaking more once you get
going but it doesn't sound to me like that would account for the engine
running THAT poorly. Plus you'd probably notice a significant coolant loss.
Keep in mind that I'm no expert, just another guy that has some Explorers
who has (so far) always managed to fix them. I was thinking maybe a stuck
thermostat but that also doesn't seem like it would cause the engine to crap
out.

>
> The vacuum pressure is fine and don't seem to have any vacuum leaks. I
> didn't notice any transmission fluid or coolant in the oil. How would
> I determine if there is coolant in the oil? Or am I misreading that
> part?

What I was refering to was the cluster of vacuum lines on the intake. If
you have a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission it could
cause the vacuum connectors to swell up and leak. You can pull a couple of
connectors off and see if there is any red trans fluid on the inside of
them. But, once again, burning a tiny bit of trans fluid doesn't seem like
it could make the engine runs so rough. BTW be careful with the small
vacuum lines as they can break easily.

To me it's now sounding like a bad electrical or vacuum connection. Take a
really good look at the battery cables, especially the positive one. They
can be completely deteriorated on the inside and look OK on the outside.

Since you have a code telling you that cylinder one is acting up pull out
the plug and see if it has coolant on it. You might also want to have the
cylinder pressure checked.

There was a recent argument, er, I mean discussion about adding Stop Leak to
our engines. My personal opinion is that it is unlikely to help with an
intake manifold gasket leak but it might help a lot with a head gasket leak.
It also might clog your heater core or thermostat. I used about 1/4 of a
can of Justice Brothers (or something like that) stop leak that was supposed
to stop head leaks. In my case it seems to have worked. The first time I
used a whole can and had to flush the radiator and heater core. And clean
the thermostat.

I have replaced the intake manifold gaskets on both my '91 and '92. I just
followed the instructions in my Hayne's manual and labeled everything,
especially the plug wires. The first time it took me a few days working on
it now and then. The second time it went fairly quickly though there is a
lot of stuff that has to be removed. In both cases it was successful. On
my '92 it had white smoke and ran rough and idled poorly. On my '91 it was
gushing out so diagnosis was simple.

I've not had any fuel pump problems (yet) but when you said it cycles
"sometimes" are you trying it right after it just cycled? I'm thinking it
might not cycle because the system is already pressured at that point.

>
> Regarding the head and intake manifold gasket, when I hook up the code
> reader I get a '10' which says there is a problem with cylinder one,
> but that has been reading that for a long time.
>
> This morning, after driving for 15 minutes it started sputtering and
> coughing (like I was out of fuel) then died. It did that the rest of
> the way home, not all the time just occassionally. I wasn't driving it
> hard or accelerating, just driving 25MPH.
>
> Thanks Jim
>
> On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:08:37 -0800, "Ulysses" />
> wrote:
> >
> >How old are the spark plugs and wires? Do you have any white smoke when
you
> >first start it in the morning? Are you losing any coolant? I'm
considering
> >the possiblility of a leaking head gasket or intake manifold gasket. Is
> >your temperature gauge reading normal?
> >
> >Do you have any loose vacuum connectons, especially at the cluster on the
> >intake manifold? If you do check for signs of transmission fluid which
> >could indicate a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission.
> >
> >
> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >> Hi Rob
> >>
> >> Here's the answers to your questions.
> >>
> >> 4.0 V6. The CEL does not come on. The fuel pressure at idle is 30PSI.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> Jim
> >>
> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:14:43 -0800, "Rob Morris"
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >> >First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the
fuel
> >> >pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
> >> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
> >> .. .
> >> >>
> >> >> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC.
Everything
> >> >> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
> >> >>
> >> >> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but
not
> >> >> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
> >> >> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
> >> >> for fuel once its running?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
> >> >> > wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
> >> >>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
> >> >>>
> >> >>>Charlie
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
> >> >>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the
engine
> >> >>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
> >> >>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit
dying
> >> >>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
> >> >>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would
start
> >> >>>> right up.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel
> >pressure
> >> >>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as
in
> >> >>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the
pressure
> >> >>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes
out
> >as
> >> >>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I
stomp
> >on
> >> >>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Thanks
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Jim
> >> >>>
> >> >
>

After your comment on the white smoke I decided to pull the heads. And
lots of anti-freeze residue inside the combustion chamber. I'm
surprised it even ran. There was definitely leaking and I'm cleaning
them thoroughly and will check for warppage. While I'm at it I'm going
to replace the thermostat.

What a lot stuff to remove!!!! Took your advice and labelled
everything. That will be a great help when putting it back together.

Once I get it back together and running then I will be able to
determine if there is another problem, i.e. electrical or vacuum etc.
No doubt the head gasket was a big part of the problem. Thanks for
your advice.

Jim

On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:25:57 -0800, "Ulysses" />
wrote:

>
>"J Adams" > wrote in message
.. .
>> The plugs and wires are 6 months old.
>> I noticed yesterday some white smoke when I first started it, then
>> after 5 minutes no smoke. Don't seem to have any coolant issues, but
>> it does run on the cool side.
>
>Intake minifold gasket leaks are common on the early Explorers. White smoke
>at startup could mean it's trying to burn some coolant along with the
>gasoline. Sometimes, from what others have said, when it warms up it will
>stop leaking (at least as much). Possibly it's leaking more once you get
>going but it doesn't sound to me like that would account for the engine
>running THAT poorly. Plus you'd probably notice a significant coolant loss.
>Keep in mind that I'm no expert, just another guy that has some Explorers
>who has (so far) always managed to fix them. I was thinking maybe a stuck
>thermostat but that also doesn't seem like it would cause the engine to crap
>out.
>
>>
>> The vacuum pressure is fine and don't seem to have any vacuum leaks. I
>> didn't notice any transmission fluid or coolant in the oil. How would
>> I determine if there is coolant in the oil? Or am I misreading that
>> part?
>
>What I was refering to was the cluster of vacuum lines on the intake. If
>you have a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission it could
>cause the vacuum connectors to swell up and leak. You can pull a couple of
>connectors off and see if there is any red trans fluid on the inside of
>them. But, once again, burning a tiny bit of trans fluid doesn't seem like
>it could make the engine runs so rough. BTW be careful with the small
>vacuum lines as they can break easily.
>
>To me it's now sounding like a bad electrical or vacuum connection. Take a
>really good look at the battery cables, especially the positive one. They
>can be completely deteriorated on the inside and look OK on the outside.
>
>Since you have a code telling you that cylinder one is acting up pull out
>the plug and see if it has coolant on it. You might also want to have the
>cylinder pressure checked.
>
>There was a recent argument, er, I mean discussion about adding Stop Leak to
>our engines. My personal opinion is that it is unlikely to help with an
>intake manifold gasket leak but it might help a lot with a head gasket leak.
>It also might clog your heater core or thermostat. I used about 1/4 of a
>can of Justice Brothers (or something like that) stop leak that was supposed
>to stop head leaks. In my case it seems to have worked. The first time I
>used a whole can and had to flush the radiator and heater core. And clean
>the thermostat.
>
>I have replaced the intake manifold gaskets on both my '91 and '92. I just
>followed the instructions in my Hayne's manual and labeled everything,
>especially the plug wires. The first time it took me a few days working on
>it now and then. The second time it went fairly quickly though there is a
>lot of stuff that has to be removed. In both cases it was successful. On
>my '92 it had white smoke and ran rough and idled poorly. On my '91 it was
>gushing out so diagnosis was simple.
>
>I've not had any fuel pump problems (yet) but when you said it cycles
>"sometimes" are you trying it right after it just cycled? I'm thinking it
>might not cycle because the system is already pressured at that point.
>
>>
>> Regarding the head and intake manifold gasket, when I hook up the code
>> reader I get a '10' which says there is a problem with cylinder one,
>> but that has been reading that for a long time.
>>
>> This morning, after driving for 15 minutes it started sputtering and
>> coughing (like I was out of fuel) then died. It did that the rest of
>> the way home, not all the time just occassionally. I wasn't driving it
>> hard or accelerating, just driving 25MPH.
>>
>> Thanks Jim
>>
>> On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:08:37 -0800, "Ulysses" />
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >How old are the spark plugs and wires? Do you have any white smoke when
>you
>> >first start it in the morning? Are you losing any coolant? I'm
>considering
>> >the possiblility of a leaking head gasket or intake manifold gasket. Is
>> >your temperature gauge reading normal?
>> >
>> >Do you have any loose vacuum connectons, especially at the cluster on the
>> >intake manifold? If you do check for signs of transmission fluid which
>> >could indicate a leaking vacuum diaphram on the automatic transmission.
>> >
>> >
>> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >> Hi Rob
>> >>
>> >> Here's the answers to your questions.
>> >>
>> >> 4.0 V6. The CEL does not come on. The fuel pressure at idle is 30PSI.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks
>> >>
>> >> Jim
>> >>
>> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:14:43 -0800, "Rob Morris"
>> >> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >First things first. What engine? Does the CEL come on? What is the
>fuel
>> >> >pressure at idle? The IAC won't cause problems over 2000 rpm.
>> >> >"J Adams" > wrote in message
>> >> .. .
>> >> >>
>> >> >> replaced air filter and cleaned IAC , and I tested the IAC.
>Everything
>> >> >> is Ok except now it misses at higher RPMs.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I'm beginning to think the fuel pump is going bad. It cycles, but
>not
>> >> >> always. I pulled the relay and jumped it and sometimes it would not
>> >> >> come on.. But would that cause it to act as though it were starving
>> >> >> for fuel once its running?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:39 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
>> >> >> > wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >>>Easy to replace - the air filter.
>> >> >>>While your at it, clean the IAC.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>Charlie
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>"J Adams" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >>>> When I accelerate hard, as in pulling out into traffic, the engine
>> >> >>>> coughs and sputters. Loss of power. When I ease off then the
>engine
>> >> >>>> operates normally. This basically happens over 2000 RPMs.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> I've added fuel additives, injector cleaners, octane boosters, you
>> >> >>>> name it. The performance did improve somewhat. At least it quit
>dying
>> >> >>>> when I accelerated. When that was happening, I would pull over and
>> >> >>>> restart it, sometimes it would take a while and others it would
>start
>> >> >>>> right up.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> I have installed new fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Fuel
>> >pressure
>> >> >>>> is constant at 30PSI. Fuel pump relay OK. When I jump the relay as
>in
>> >> >>>> remove it and and add a jumper for continuous operation the
>pressure
>> >> >>>> continues to increase up to 40PSI. Vacuum tested OK.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Tested the coil pack and Ignition Control Module. Tested OK .
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Replaced PCV, EGR, and a few other items.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Also it idles a little rough, intermittent misses, but smoothes
>out
>> >as
>> >> >>>> I accelerate, slowly of course.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> This happened once before, but stopped after it sat over night.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> By the way, on the freeway I can get it up to 85MPH, but if I
>stomp
>> >on
>> >> >>>> it, it cough and sputters until I ease off.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Appreciate any suggestions.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Thanks
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Jim
>> >> >>>
>> >> >
>>
>