first I want to say, thank god I found you guys. Second, I'm new to this site but have been reading quite a bit as a non-member. There is just soooo much to read. I don't want to be the guy that hasn't done the research but just don't have the time to read everything related. So anyway here goes.....

I have a 98 E150 4.2 with 91k miles. It's a work van with auto trans. My issues seem to be the same as many others, shaking, chugging, white smoke(periodically), loss of power and so on. I'm not sure what the code #'s are but was told, miss fire cyl 1+4. rich bank 1. Van has new plugs, wires,coilpack, oil change, trans service, drive shaft re-balance. I unplugged injector #1 and it seems to run a little smoother. I just found all the info on the common vaccum leaks so I'll be checking those tomorrow. Any how the big question is the rich bank 1. All the others I've seen have lean conditions. There doesn't seem to be any loss of fluids but it deffinetly smells like burning oil.

Help me please. There is just so much info. Where do i start? what should I be looking for? I got this van cheap from a local ice cream mfg. They did all the regular maint but parked it about a year ago and now I have it.

 

Well thanks for nothing.lol
Anybody?

 

Dude you need to be patient and wait for replies. Some people work for a living. Make sure the EGR ports are clear. If they are then check for coolant in the oil or cylinders from leaking intake gaskets. Make sure the firing order is correct.

 

he did wait a couple of days. Seems like this forum doesnt have as much traffic as some of the others.

 

I'm not being impatient. I guess I'm just used to other sites where people have nothing better to do than slam and redicule people about questions and or comments. I will wait and try any and all repairs as they come. Thanks.

 

How is it a couple of days when he posted on the 20th? Today is the 21st. Anyways did you get to try any of my suggestions?

 

Whoa boys. Whoa I say!
Easy.....easy......

Now.....

Hmmmm.....
rich on bank #1
Smoke
poor running

I doubt seriously an O2 sensor is the culprit.
based on what you describe, I would be thinking fuel injector(s).

If the problem is always isolated to Bank 1, you eliminate everything that is common to both banks (ex, MAF, fuel filter, etc)

The one thing that seems to fit everything you describe is a problem with fuel injectors.
If the Number 1 cylinder fuel injector is stuck, it would be dumping too much gas into the cylinder, causing a rich condition, smoke, and poor running.
Unplugging that injector would would likely result in an improvement.

No guarantees, but that is where I'd be looking.

OBTW - sorry for the slow response. Life has been less than cooperative for me recently.
But that's another story...

 

Appreciated. I did unplug #1 injector and it does run much better. The smoke smells like burning oil. So I'm almost positive its not an intake gasket. I'm leaning towards the bad injector and bad vaccum lines. Most of the lines seem to be very brittle. Can't find any holes, but if the lines are spongy. Won't that tech be like a leak?

 

umm he posted on the 19th lol

 

Sounds reasonable. Certainly possible you have more than one problem.

Maybe it is burning oil. Have you pulled the plugs to see what they look like? Any black crud cooked on the plug?

Absent somebody just knowing what is wrong, looks like you might just have to start a methodical process of checking and eliminating.
Injectors and vacuum lines, given the symptoms, seem to be a good starting point.

Keep us posted.

Thanks.

 

Plugs are all new. I didn't replace them so I didn't see what they looked like. Neighbor did plugs, wires, coil pack, oil change, trans service, fuel filter+ chassis lube. Van cam from his place of employment.

 

The lower intake gaskets can cause it to burn oil. They can also cause it to burn coolant. You can have a internal vac leak where the gaskets loose the seal between the head and intake. It doesn't set a lean code because the vac leak is going through the PCV system and is metered by the MAF. To check pull out the PCV valve from the valve cover and cap off the valve and hole. Then pull out the small breather tube in the air intake snorkel and cap it off too. Let the engine idle and feel for pressure coming out of the oil filler tube. The pressure is blow-by (which all engines have). If you start to feel a vacuum at the oil filler then the lower intake gaskets are leaking and all the blow-by is going into the cylinders. It also sucks in oil. The trick is to completely seal the crankcase and take the PCV system out of the picture.
On my screen it said he posted 7-20-2010 at 2:12AM. You have posted in this thread twice already and haven't tried to help anybody.

 

Good advice!
Thanks.

 

well here goes. I found a couple vac hoses that run down the back of the engine that seemed to be falling appart. I replaced those and it helped out. I'm almost possitive the #1 injector is stuck open. goingto junk yard this weekend to grab a few for cheap and hopefully one will work. I dont want to change all 6 if it's not the problem. So I think I have this part licked. New problem driving home today, I lost 3rd gear and OD. I assume no OD because it's not hitting 3rd. Haven't checked for codes yet. There were no signs of the trans going or even slipping. I'm hoping its just the selenoid pack or something easy. Archives here I come..............

 

Thanks for the update.
Be sure to check the transmission forum for info and don't just look here in the 4.2 forum for transmission help.

Keep us posted!