'99 Explorer noise & poor gas milage

[saai865]

I am wondering if these 2 things are tied together. When I am driving, every once in awhile from under the hood, I'll hear what sounds like a whooshing noise, seems to do it more going up hills. I am also getting about 15.5 mpg, which seems very low. 4.0 V6. I also get a hesitation around 40-45 mph and after that it goes right on as usual. Any ideas would be appeciated.

[krayziazndragon]

Originally Posted by saai865

I am wondering if these 2 things are tied together. When I am driving, every once in awhile from under the hood, I'll hear what sounds like a whooshing noise, seems to do it more going up hills. I am also getting about 15.5 mpg, which seems very low. 4.0 V6. I also get a hesitation around 40-45 mph and after that it goes right on as usual. Any ideas would be appeciated.

me too, but i was never able to find an answer.. i have a 1997 explorer e/b 78,000 miles 4.0L SOHC.. i dont have any hesitation, but i do have the whooshing noise and some rattling at around 2500 rpm when the engine is cold or somewhat warm.. i'm getting around 13 or 14 mpg and have not been able to get anything higher than 15 even with almost all fwys.. as far as driving impressions, nothings changed, and i was never able to find an answer, so i just left the noises and poor mpg be and kept driving it.. its been almost a year already.. anyone know what might be wrong?

Michael N.

[bighillman]

There was the recall on the timing chain guides on these vehicles. I think that a tuneup did more for the one I worked on than anything. It gave me about 5 extra miles per gallon.

[adamhamrick]

I have the same problem and everytime I tune it up, it is fixed for a month or so but then I begin to have the same problem. I have heard that it is a lower intake manifold gasket but I have yet to find the time to replace them and see if it works.