Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

2000 Explorer Idle Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 08:20 PM
  #16  
al martinez's Avatar
al martinez
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I had the same symptoms, hope this info works for you.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 09:56 AM
  #17  
Nash Bridges's Avatar
Nash Bridges
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
What exactly is the separator, and what does it do? I have never heard that term.
Does a 2000 Explorer have one?
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 01:00 PM
  #18  
al martinez's Avatar
al martinez
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
It keeps the engine oil from entering your vacuum system, the part number is F77Z-6A785-AB sometimes with the heat they become very brittle and crack, they are made of plastic, they cost about $18.66 and it also comes with the o-ring seal that I told you that cracks with the heat generated under the manifold. These are the additional parts you will need to do the job:
F77Z-6C342-AB PVC hose assy $41.98
YL2Z-9E436-AA Intake Gasket $3.69
YL2Z-9461-AA Intake gasket $1.64
a small tube of silicone lube to coat the o-rings and gaskets.
I would replace the separator even if yours looks good, just to make sure!
al martinez
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 01:07 PM
  #19  
Nash Bridges's Avatar
Nash Bridges
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thanks.
I check my oil regularly and it is never low. I haven't even seen any traces of oil in my air filter. Would this eliminate the separator seal being bad?
I also just had the PCV valve and hose assembly replaced.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 01:54 PM
  #20  
al martinez's Avatar
al martinez
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I've never had any oil leaks either on my Explorer or an oil stained air filter, but I did notice oil stain from the top rear of the engine block, by the seperator. You might have to get a small mirror amd good flashlight to see.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 02:11 PM
  #21  
Keith Smith's Avatar
Keith Smith
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Mason, Ohio
Al, Did you replace your intake O rings at that time? I'm not sure what level that seperator would be at.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 05:39 PM
  #22  
al martinez's Avatar
al martinez
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
It's best if you do, It will elimate an extra problem when you re-assemble your tear-down.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 08:19 PM
  #23  
Keith Smith's Avatar
Keith Smith
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Mason, Ohio
Roughly, how much time was involved in this? Is it a Saturday afternoon job?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 08:26 PM
  #24  
al martinez's Avatar
al martinez
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
4 hour job or less
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 06:58 AM
  #25  
Keith Smith's Avatar
Keith Smith
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Mason, Ohio
So Nash, did you give the intake gaskets a try? What was the outcome. I haven't had time to have our Explorer down. It's my wife's daily driver, and I do mean daily.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 10:32 AM
  #26  
Nash Bridges's Avatar
Nash Bridges
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Me, too. I have to drive it to work daily, and I can't afford to take another day off or get a rental car.
I am not technically inclined enough to do it myself, I'll have to take it somewhere.

The dealership says that they spray the intake area, and if the spray is not "sucked up", they eliminate the intake gaskets as being leaky.

When I first crank it up, I feel an ignition miss. When it warms up, it's less noticeable. It is not noticable at all during accelration or cruising. Coming to a stoplight, the idle hovers around 900, then drops to 500 when it stops, and then idles rough.

My "list" of culprits is; oil separator/gasket, minor vacuum leak somewhere, throttle body, IAT, intake gaskets, TPS, EGR, EVAP, and TPS, for starters.

What is the difference between intake gaskets and o-rings?
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:19 PM
  #27  
Keith Smith's Avatar
Keith Smith
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Mason, Ohio
No difference as far as I know. The o rings sit in a grove under the intake manifold. I understand that they shrink over time and start to leak. I had them replaced on my sons 99 Explorer and it took care of his problems. The leak was hard to find using the spray method, but I could track it down on cold mornings when he first started the motor. Just sprayed starting fluid around the manifold and the idle reved up and smoothed out. As soon as the motor warmed up, I couldn't make that trick work. The mechanic argued with me that it had to be something else, but I talked him into relacing those o rings. No problem with that one since. I think my wife's Explorer is headed down the same path, but I can't seem to find a vacume leak on it.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:28 PM
  #28  
Nash Bridges's Avatar
Nash Bridges
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I don't understand why I only have a "miss" during idle. I don't have any problems during cruise or acceleration.

Also, it seems that this problem came on suddenly, where I think an aging gasket would give you "gradual" problems.

Another baffler is that it seems to do better if the air outside is cooler. When I first start it up and all the "choking" mechanisms are working, the only thing I notice is a miss by feeling the "pops" holding on to the steering wheel. It's intermittent, with no rhythm, However, the tach stays STEADY, and does not fluctuate at all. I would expect fluctuation with a vacuum leak.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 01:58 PM
  #29  
Keith Smith's Avatar
Keith Smith
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Mason, Ohio
I'm not sure about those symptoms either. I asked about using smoke to check for vacume leaks and was told to use a regular smoke bomb like they sell for 4th of July. I guess you would have to remove the fan belt though, or it would just blow around. The person I spoke to said that the leak would suck in the smoke and be very visible. I may try that next.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 02:22 PM
  #30  
Nash Bridges's Avatar
Nash Bridges
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
My Explorer is 9 years old with 135K miles, so I'm suspecting something major internally, like timing chain, bad valve, fuel injector or cam shaft.
I think it's time to get rid of it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:00 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE