Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / February 2008

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

What is this "knocking"?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
wlwallick - 22 Feb 2008 21:22 GMT
We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
drive only, 53000 miles.

Have always had it serviced by the dealer.

Some time ago it started "missing" or what ever it is. This is
very erratic. Seems to happen most when doing 40 - 50 mph
and I slightly push on the gas pedal. It even happens with the
cruise control on and we start up a hill or bridge, etc.

I can "stomp" on it and nothing strange happens.

I have asked the dealer to check it out.

They did some "tests" and "reset the PCM". Six or so days later
it was back to the same old thing.

I did discover that putting a container of Techron in the tank
just before filling up completely stops this problem.

Chevron gas which contains Techron does not stop it.

I mentioned cleaning the injectors or replacing the spark plug
wires. They weren't interested in eith
lugnut - 23 Feb 2008 01:29 GMT
>We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
>drive only, 53000 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>I mentioned cleaning the injectors or replacing the spark plug
>wires. They weren't interested in eith

What you have may not be a misfire.  At the speed range you
state, it may be transmission torque converter shudder
although that should be rare with the transmission updates
and a change to synthetic fluid for that vintage.  Have you
had the transmission serviced in cluding draining the
converter.  I suspect you may be well beyond the recommended
interval if you have not had this service done.

Another problem IIRC, may be a bad coil.  IIRC, your has the
coil-on-plug where there is an ignition coil on each spark
plug.  I believe there have been some problems with water
getting into the boots of some causing a short and misfires
on #3 or 4 cylinders.  Don't recall for sure but, I believe
the cure was a now coil and boot for that cylinder.  You may
want to check for a service bulletin on it.  If that doesn't
do it, you probably need a personal touch on it by a good
technician.  Keep in mind that something like this is hit
and miss on the diagnosis if it won't do it while the tech
is working with it.  Every once in a great while, you will
find the guy who had this exact problem a couple of times
and knows what to look for up front.

Lugnut
wlwallick - 23 Feb 2008 18:18 GMT
>>We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
>>drive only, 53000 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
>
> Lugnut

At 30000 miles they did a transmission flush and replaced the
fluid. This is part of their usual maintainance. The problem
developed much later.

A coil on each spark plug? Good grief.

WLW
RustY© - 23 Feb 2008 09:34 GMT
> We have a 2002 Explorer

> Some time ago it started "missing" or what ever it is.

> I did discover that putting a container of Techron in the tank
> just before filling up completely stops this problem.

Then you have a fuel related problem.  The additive is either bringing your
fuel up to spec or compensating for some problem in the fuel system..  My
first plan would be to change where you buy your fuel.  Buy it from
somewhere with a high turnover and see how it goes after a few tanks.
wlwallick - 23 Feb 2008 18:28 GMT
>> We have a 2002 Explorer
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Then you have a fuel related problem. The additive is either
bringing your
> fuel up to spec or compensating for some problem in the fuel
system.. My
> first plan would be to change where you buy your fuel. Buy it
from
> somewhere with a high turnover and see how it goes after a few tanks.

I have changed stations, even put "hi test" in - no help.

Something that has concerned me is possible water in the tank.

Here in Florida, after the hurricanes, there was water in just
about all the gas. Of course that was several years ago.

On the other hand, the air is usually very humid and I have
wondered if that humidity in the tank would condense after we
put the car in the garage where it is usually cooler. Thus water
in the tank. "Grasping at straws"?

WLW
Shawn - 24 Feb 2008 00:37 GMT
> We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
> drive only, 53000 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> I mentioned cleaning the injectors or replacing the spark plug
> wires. They weren't interested in eith

Try a higher octane gas. If that works then the ignition timing may have to
be adjusted.
Eddie S. - 24 Feb 2008 03:24 GMT
DID YOU LET THE OIL RUN DRY??!!

> We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
> drive only, 53000 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> I mentioned cleaning the injectors or replacing the spark plug
> wires. They weren't interested in eith
wlwallick - 24 Feb 2008 22:10 GMT
> DID YOU LET THE OIL RUN DRY??!!

NOT YET!!!

We have always had the oil changed every 3000 miles. Never
been down much less out.

>> We have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 8 cylinder enging, rear wheel
>> drive only, 53000 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>> I mentioned cleaning the injectors or replacing the spark plug
>> wires. They weren't interested in eith
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2009 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.