I bought my 1999 Explorer (v6, 4liter, xlt) back in April. I didn't have any problems with it until about two months ago when it started getting cold. It's started to idle very rough for the first few minutes until it warms up. From time to time I will have to start two or three times because it dies. Once it gets warmed up I have no problems out of it....

Just yesterday though (Jan. 22) my check engine light came on while I was on my way to work. Once I got to work I checked all my fluids, belts, and hoses and they all seem to be fine. The vehicle seems to be running with out problems, but the check engine light just stays on. Any clues to what the problem may be?

Thanks!

 

You need to get the vehicle scanned for codes in the computer.

Get us the code and we can help you !

Common problems are
Iac valve
02 sensors
lower intake gaskets
dpfe sensor
egr valve
maf sensor
throttle senser

What happens is you go through so many drive cycles before the pcm post a code to a problem

With the code s we can help you

autozone will scan for free
Rich

 

I finally got a chance to go to Autozone today. After doing the scan they told me that my Bank 1 & Bank 2 Oxygen Sensors need to be replaced. Does that sound right?

 

I had the exact same problem with my 2000. Spent all kinds of money changing the MAF and the IAC. Finally after seeing the same problem on this site I change the lower intake gaskets. Fixed the problem and she runs perfect now. I'd bet its your lower intake gastkets leaking, but that just my opinion.

 

How much of a pain was it to fix the lower intake gaskets? And if you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost?

Thanks

 

I had a local mech. do mine and it was about 120 bucks labor. I went to the ford dealer and bought the lower gaskets for about 20 dollars and got the upper gaskets for another 10. I figured I might as well change them also since its apart. You may want to call your ford dealer, If you exporer is the right year and low enough miles they might warrentee it.

 

My local dealer told me the repair kit (gasket and tensioner) was $85 and the total cost for them to do the repair is $250. This sounds high based on ltfox's numbers. Am I being screwed by the local dealer?

 

I did'nt have to do anything with my tensioner. So mine was gaskets only.

 

Your quote included the camshaft tensioner, which is part of the recall, and should be done at the same time.

 

fords labor rate is getting out of control.