I acquired a 2002 Explorer XLT 4.0 2wd with 144,000 miles from my Sister-in-law.

She had the ignition coil changed out but it didn't fix the issue so it's been sitting for a couple months.

The codes I pulled with a scanner are: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P1000, and P1131.

I'm not a mechanic, but, I work on mine, wife's, kid's, and other family's cars from time to time. Anyone have some troubleshooting advice?

Thanks, Rich

 

Does it start at all, and if so, does it run like one with 3 cylinders misfiring? Do you have a way to check for injector pulse on the 3 cylinders that are reporting a misfire? I'd certainly be looking for something common to all 3 cylinders on bank 1, and if I recall correctly, the fuel injector wiring shares a common power wire for at least the bank. I'm unsure if the same power lead also powers bank 2 injectors. Also, check all fuses to make sure there isn't one blown.

-Rod

 

I would also check if all the plug wires on the passenger side are connected in the right order to the coil.

 

 

This is what I did since my original post.

I disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes. During this time, I made sure that all plug wires(labeled with numbers) were connected to the coil pack in order 1-2-3 and 5-6-4. Reconnected battery, hooked up scanner and looked for codes. It showed 'This vehicle has no fault codes'. I tried to start it. The first 2 time I didn't press the gas pedal. The third time, I pressed it down to the floor.


Fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank. Since misfiring when starting, I thought that maybe the fuel filter needs changing out, or maybe the fuel pump isn't working or stuck. I took a rubber mallet and hit the bottom of the tank a couple of times. With that maybe the tank is empty. I figured I should put a couple of gallons of fuel in the tank. Had to wait for the next day to go by fuel station.

I added the 2 gallons, tried to start it. The first couple of times it sounded the same at start up. The third time, it started and was able to stay running. It runs now, but, it runs rough and there is knocking sound coming from the driver's side engine block, valve cover, head, somewhere. I used a the tool like a stethoscope, and that's where the sound seems to be coming from the loudest. I'll post a video of it running, Hopefully this weekend sometime.



I don't know how to check for injector pulse. I'll try to check for power in the fuel injector wiring and I will check all fuses.

All plug wires are labeled with numbers and each set of wires have the clip that hold the wires together for each side. I'll verify that the labeled plug wires go to the correct location on the engine.

Rich

 

A couple of months ago, had a couple of mechanics(one works for the Power Co. and one works for the County) come by and take a look. They both thought that the knocking noise was possibly either the front timing chain or the back timing chain could be loose tensioners causing the timing chain to slap against the timing chain guide. They said that the front timing chain could be checked without pulling the engine, but, to check the rear timing chain, the engine would have to be pulled.

Towed the Explorer to a mechanic shop a few weeks, ago. He wasn't able to keep the motor running to be able to get a diagnosis, so he said that he would have to pull the motor out and start tearing it apart.

This past week, when he drained the oil, he said that there was a lot of fuel in the oil. He pulled the motor and took the heads off. He said that on the passenger side it was covered in black(like, possibly an internal fire).

He recommended that I start looking for a engine. He will be checking the fuel system to see if it is leaking, in the meantime.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts on a Re-manufactured engine?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving,

Rich