Older vehicles & ethanol

Berenice · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 10:18 AM

My 1998 Ford Explorer lately will not idle, it stalls when you take your foot off the gas. I have been told by some "shade tree mechanics" that using gas with ethanol will cause this. Is there anything I can do to correct it? I have stopped buying the gas that has the ethanol warning on the pump. Otherwise, the car runs very good for one with 150000 miles.

IcemanV8 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 10:49 AM

Is the check engine light on? If so, you should go get your codes pulled. I haven't had any problem with some of the 10% ethanol gas that I've used in anything. Maybe you have a bad coolant sensor?

ccecilm2 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 04:38 PM

I have a 1997 MM w/5.0 liter and do not have problems with 10% ethenol but about a year ago I had big problem with the 15% stuff; Filled the tank, drove 2 blocks CEL came on, started running like crap and everything stayed that way 'til I ran out 3/4 tank of the stuff and filled up with regular unleaded. Then CEL went off and it started running good again.

Bear River · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 01:06 AM

Gas with 10% ethanol is just fine in my '90 B2600i, which is a much older vehicle than your '98. If vehicles were designed to handle it back then, newer ones will handle it even better.

srercrcr · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 05:54 PM

Clean the bottom of the throttle plate twice a year.

Rangerman Stan · #6 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 07:17 PM

Berenice, it sounds more like your idle air control valve is not working, so it won't idle. With that many miles on it I'm sure it needs to be cleaned or replaced if the cleaning doesn't make it better. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out. They get dirty no matter what fuel you use. The 10% ethanol fuel should be ok, but like has been mentioned, I would stay away from the 15% stuff. They just don't run right with that mixture.