97 Explorer Sport cold start problems - Ford Forums

01-20-2006, 10:01

I have a 97 Explorer Sport with 4.0 SOHC. What happens is when it's cold
out usually below 30 degrees it'll start fine then they rpms drop way down
and she'll sputter then rev then sputter. It'll do that for 30 or 40 seconds
then idle normal. Had it at the garage and it shows no error codes. The
check engine lite ie not lite. They suggested replacing the coolant temp.
sensor which was done. No difference. Also replaced the intake air temp.
sensor. It's still didn't help. Does anyone have any idea what may be doing
this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

01-20-2006, 18:01

If no codes, its usually dirt related.

Dirty injectors, IAC sticks cold, MAF dirty etc.

"John Mull" <xplorer@ptdprolog.net> wrote in message
news:fiOdnTXlq_vbuUzeUSdV9g@ptd.net...
> I have a 97 Explorer Sport with 4.0 SOHC. What happens is when it's cold
> out usually below 30 degrees it'll start fine then they rpms drop way down
> and she'll sputter then rev then sputter. It'll do that for 30 or 40
seconds
> then idle normal. Had it at the garage and it shows no error codes. The
> check engine lite ie not lite. They suggested replacing the coolant temp.
> sensor which was done. No difference. Also replaced the intake air temp.
> sensor. It's still didn't help. Does anyone have any idea what may be
doing
> this? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>

01-21-2006, 02:01

"JohanB" <ollieb1oREMOVE@THIScs.com> wrote in message
news:_8gAf.39$PO5.262@news.uswest.net...
> If no codes, its usually dirt related.
>
> Dirty injectors, IAC sticks cold, MAF dirty etc.

I had the injecters cleaned. Forgot to put that in my first post.
I'll try your other suggestions.
Thanks

> "John Mull" <xplorer@ptdprolog.net> wrote in message
> news:fiOdnTXlq_vbuUzeUSdV9g@ptd.net...
>> I have a 97 Explorer Sport with 4.0 SOHC. What happens is when it's cold
>> out usually below 30 degrees it'll start fine then they rpms drop way
>> down
>> and she'll sputter then rev then sputter. It'll do that for 30 or 40
> seconds
>> then idle normal. Had it at the garage and it shows no error codes. The
>> check engine lite ie not lite. They suggested replacing the coolant temp.
>> sensor which was done. No difference. Also replaced the intake air temp.
>> sensor. It's still didn't help. Does anyone have any idea what may be
> doing
>> this? Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>
>

01-21-2006, 16:01

o rings intake leak, running to lean,, if u can smoke it cold, u can see
it come out

01-22-2006, 15:01

I have to wonder about your garage of choice.... so far they have replaced
parts, apparently, on a whim. These motors are infamous (as in everyone
except your mechanic) knows there are concerns with the intake manifold
gaskets when cold. FWIW, if the motor is warm when they are looking for this
problem, they will not find it.

"John Mull" <xplorer@ptdprolog.net> wrote in message
news:fiOdnTXlq_vbuUzeUSdV9g@ptd.net...
> I have a 97 Explorer Sport with 4.0 SOHC. What happens is when it's cold
> out usually below 30 degrees it'll start fine then they rpms drop way down
> and she'll sputter then rev then sputter. It'll do that for 30 or 40
> seconds then idle normal. Had it at the garage and it shows no error
> codes. The check engine lite ie not lite. They suggested replacing the
> coolant temp. sensor which was done. No difference. Also replaced the
> intake air temp. sensor. It's still didn't help. Does anyone have any idea
> what may be doing this? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>

01-22-2006, 17:01

I usually only used this garage for inspections mainly. I've never had any
problems with this car since new. It just turned 75,000 miles. Actually this
car runs great except for this problem which just started, and then it
doesn't do it all the time. Today when I started it this morning it didn't
do it. It was 31 degrees out. It ran normally. When it does do it, it only
lasts for 30 or 40 seconds, if that. I guess I'll have to take it to the
Ford Dealer.
Thanks for the information about the intake manifold.

"Jim Warman" <mechanic@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
news:quTAf.109752$6K2.89730@edtnps90...
>I have to wonder about your garage of choice.... so far they have replaced
>parts, apparently, on a whim. These motors are infamous (as in everyone
>except your mechanic) knows there are concerns with the intake manifold
>gaskets when cold. FWIW, if the motor is warm when they are looking for
>this problem, they will not find it.
>
>
> "John Mull" <xplorer@ptdprolog.net> wrote in message
> news:fiOdnTXlq_vbuUzeUSdV9g@ptd.net...
>> I have a 97 Explorer Sport with 4.0 SOHC. What happens is when it's cold
>> out usually below 30 degrees it'll start fine then they rpms drop way
>> down and she'll sputter then rev then sputter. It'll do that for 30 or 40
>> seconds then idle normal. Had it at the garage and it shows no error
>> codes. The check engine lite ie not lite. They suggested replacing the
>> coolant temp. sensor which was done. No difference. Also replaced the
>> intake air temp. sensor. It's still didn't help. Does anyone have any
>> idea what may be doing this? Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>