Please Help; Explorer Engine Problem..
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Please Help; Explorer Engine Problem..
1998 Ford Explorer with 100,000 miles... A few days ago then engine started sputtering (as if it wasn't getting gas) while in gear. (It doesn't sputter while idling in Park) It gets a little better when run for 10-15 mins but is still there. I put gas treatment in fuel tank to help clean any clogged injectors. I changed the fuel-filter, checked the Spark Plugs, and changed the oil just for giggles. The problem is still present. Yesterday, the "Check Engine" light came on and I could start to hear a bit of a strange whirring that seemed to be coming from inside the engine block area. (The sound is something like what you would hear if you were shaking a spray-paint can around and around, with the little ball whirring around inside the can.) Oh, and after I changed the fuel-filter I noticed a small pool of liquid directly below the tail exhaust pipe.... it was water and it had dripped out of the pipe.
Any ideas as to what I might be dealing with here? My biggest fear is that it may be a crack in the engine block, so I'm going to have it checked for that, any ideas on what else it may be??
Thank you very mush for your time.
Dan
Any ideas as to what I might be dealing with here? My biggest fear is that it may be a crack in the engine block, so I'm going to have it checked for that, any ideas on what else it may be??
Thank you very mush for your time.
Dan
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
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From: UT
Please Help; Explorer Engine Problem..
That "spray can" sound is called detonation, engine ping, or spark knock. Water coming from the exhaust pipe when the engine is cold is normal.
Water is a product of the combustion process, and it condenses in the exhaust system, until the exhaust system gets hot enough to keep it vaporized.
If you get a scanner or take it some place where they can do a computer diagnosis, the check engine light means that the computer has seen a problem that it wants to tell you about. Some parts places (Autozone in particular) will read trouble codes for free in the hopes of selling you a part.
That all said, which engine do you have (4.0 OHV, 4.0 SOHC, 5.0)? Gut instinct makes me think you have the SOHC and what you are describing could easily be intake manifold o-rings, if they've never been done. Ford issued an "owner notification" program and extended the warranty on this because it was a common problem with the SOHC. Let us know which engine you've got. It will help us help you.
Water is a product of the combustion process, and it condenses in the exhaust system, until the exhaust system gets hot enough to keep it vaporized.
If you get a scanner or take it some place where they can do a computer diagnosis, the check engine light means that the computer has seen a problem that it wants to tell you about. Some parts places (Autozone in particular) will read trouble codes for free in the hopes of selling you a part.
That all said, which engine do you have (4.0 OHV, 4.0 SOHC, 5.0)? Gut instinct makes me think you have the SOHC and what you are describing could easily be intake manifold o-rings, if they've never been done. Ford issued an "owner notification" program and extended the warranty on this because it was a common problem with the SOHC. Let us know which engine you've got. It will help us help you.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
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From: Fort Smith
Please Help; Explorer Engine Problem..
I am going to guess on the CEL- IAC or O2 sesnors. If you have never cleaned the IAC or mass air, then those could be causing the problem. The O2's would do it also.
Go by Auto Zone and have them check the codes like mrshorty said (I had to edit - mrshorty beat me by 2 minutes
). Let us know the codes and we can go from there...
P.S. - off topic = MrShorty - where are you in UT?
Go by Auto Zone and have them check the codes like mrshorty said (I had to edit - mrshorty beat me by 2 minutes
). Let us know the codes and we can go from there...P.S. - off topic = MrShorty - where are you in UT?
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