When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1993 Explorer sport that will not idle when I start it up. The motor starts quickly,it revs to about 2500 and then backs down as if it was shut off. No sputtering or chugging just quits. If I hold the gas and keep it running it is fine. After it has been run for a few miles it is ok too. If I sit in a drive through for a long time it will do the same.
I have changed the plugs and wires, I have cleaned the Idle air control valve, I have cleaned the MAF, changed the air filter, fuel filter.
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 14-Jun-01 AT 09:38 PM (EST)[/font][p]exp, sounds like you have thought of about everything. The only other thing that I can add is maybe the EGR valve is stuck open at idle. Test it by pulling vacuum hose off and see if that changes idle.(be sure and plug the manifold side of hose)
One other thing, try cleaning inside the throttle body, around the butterfly valve.
"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford trucks." (Willie Nelson)
I tried to find the EGR valve, and maybe I am just not "hittin' on all six" , but I can not find it or any info in the repair manual as to where it is.........Can someone help me? Thanks so much for this spot on the web, It has saved me a ton of money and lost sleep.
Check your vacumn hoses on the driver's side of the engine at the rear. The little vacumn hoses get swollen from tranmission fluid and cause rough idle.
The hoses seem to be fine. Is that a problem on a manual transmission as well as an automatic? I have a manual transmission. Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.
Updated info:
I checked the fuel pressure reg and found it to be within all specs. Last weekend I replaced the thermostat. I have heard that the t-stat can get stuck open and keep the computer in the wrong "loop" The new t-stat is showing comfortably in the middle, where the old one never left the cold normal line .............but the idle problem is still there. I am wondering if it could possibly be the cat converter. I have 106000 miles on it and am wondering if it is plugged. I still can not idle when cold, but engine runs fine at temp. Do I need to change the 02 sensor? Does it have any input in the idle cycle? And what would happen if (whisper) I removed the cat converter and placed a piece of exhaust pipe there instead. Or would it be better if I just drilled a few holes into it.(dad's suggestion) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for all of the good advice!!
There is a procedure in one of the haynes manual to test the cat converters. It involves using a vacuum gauge. You plug it to a good vacuum source and you rev the engine. THe vacuum should drop and immediately come back up. If it does it really slow or does not do this then it could be a plugged converter. Look for this procedure as I might be missing some steps. GOod LUck.
LAST UPDATE!!!!!
Problem solved.
It was the upper intake manifold gasket. I finally sent it to the mechanic to have it checked, and he fixed it for $150.00.(which sucks since I have spent at least that much in wasted repairs.) But it runs better than it ever has. Thanks for all of the response and help. This site rocks!!!