95 explorer problems

i have a 95 explorer eddie with the 4.0 approx 165k. The wife has been driving it for about the past 3wks due to bad weather. the last 3yrs this explorer has mainly been used for holding the driveway down and we just drive the cars. She called me yesterday at work and said that it would only due about 45mph held to the floor with normal rpm. She drove about 15miles this way to limp it home. I drove it today to work and it seems fine. I am now hessitent to let her drive it the 50miles one way to work if its not going to be realiable. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas or if its time to let the giant paperweight go? also it has had a recent tune up.

Check for diagnostic codes. Report back if there are (and what they are) or are not codes.

-Rod

That might be OBD1 or a pre "official" OBD2 car....codes might be hard to get out of it. How old is the gas in it? was it running rough when it was only doing about 45? (did it feel like it was missing?) What does the tranny fluid look/smell like? (nice and red/no odor, or brown and burnt toast smelling?) I have seen those old 4.0's go for 250k+ miles. I work for ford, as a tech, but I am young, and these are before my time, where I don't have hands-on experience with anything before 2000. But I have seen a few of these.

Actually, codes for the OBD-I (EEC) systems are almost easier to get since you don't need any special scan tools to read them. Many of the chain auto parts stores that do free code checks can also scan codes on the "Big 3" domestic brands, but you can also do it at home with only a jumper wire and the ignition key. Check the bottom of the page at this link (http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_dtcs_70a.htm) for the connection diagram, the code definitions are listed at the top.

Leaking intake manifold gaskets are pretty common on the 4.0L, but that's usually accompanied by a severe misfire. Diagnostic codes will likely get you pointed in the right direction.

-Rod

I finally got a change to check it out yesterday, The tranny fluid looks fine and smells like regular tranny fluid, plus we recently had it flushed, there are no codes that come up we i use the jumper wire. I have only drove it twice since it messed up on the wife. Only one of those times was i able to get it up to highway speeds, i drove 75mph just fine, was driving like a dream (as well as the 4.0L does with its whole underpowered issue.) I don't really have any other ideas i figured if it was pendalum gaskets is would stay messed up, am i right?? anyway any input is greatly appreciated. I'm about to sell it and buy a dodge.....lol jk!

You should use the "Search this forum" feature from the Explorer main page for "intake gasket" to see what symptoms others have had due to intake gaskets. I don't know if others have found them to be intermittant (show up when the engine's hot) or not.

-Rod

So today i drove it to the store and ran in for about 15 min. I came back out and i had problems starting it back up had to keep foot on the gas to keep it from dieing. Then after it was running it ran fine but had a whistle under the hood for about half way home. and now that i think about it i have heard that whistle before but never thought twice about it because it never effected the way it ran.

is the whistle a vac. leak? ( I assume it is) that can cause all types of issues make sure none of the vac lines are broken or anything is unplugged

The Idle Air Control (IAC) servo has been known to cause a screech-like noise when failing and would also help explain why holding the throttle part way open allowed the vehicle to start. A bad IAC though won't explain the lack of power like a vacuum leak would.

-Rod

well i replaced the IAC and it starts and idles smoother...the wife went back to driving it and so far has not had any problems with it. Although i drove it the other day while it was snowing and while having it in 4x4 i went around a corner and got into it, i heard a ding and the 4x4 quit working. I had to shut off and restart the truck for the 4x4 to work again. Any suggestions??

I had the same problem. I changed: 2 oxygen sensors, spark plugs, plug wires , coil pack, egr valve, plenum gaskets. Nothing worked come to find out there is a egr tube retainer seal in the upper intake manifold. $7.20 at the dealer, Auto Zone does not carry it or any other parts store I tried.

An EGR retainer caused the 4 wheel drive to stop working?

Sounds more to me like a problem with the transfer case motor which seems to be somewhat common on the 4WD Explorers.

-Rod