Starting problem

[dcmaynard]

Well once in a while I start up my 96 eddie 4.0L and I turn the key and it wont start unless I hold it on for 5 or 6 seconds and then when it starts the RPM's are so low that it almost wants to die, then they kick up and everything is fine. What might be causing this?

[shorod]

When's the last time you had a tune up performed on the Explorer? What's the condition of the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires? Have you used fuel injector cleaner on a regular basis?

Once the vehicle is running fine, if you turn the A/C on, does the engine speed drop or remain pretty constant? If it drops, you may have an Idle Air Control (IAC) servo that is not working as quickly as it should, or it may have restricted passages.

Also, you may want to consider cleaning the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor with the appropriate tools (security Torx bit, MAF Sensor Cleaner, and a very steady hand).

-Rod

[dcmaynard]

well I have changed the plugs and wires about 5000 miles ago and the filter last month. So correct me if I am wrong but I am getting 13 MPG in town and i would think that that would be caused by dirty injectors over a dirty MAF?

[shorod]

Not necessarily. Think about what would cause poor fuel economy -- using too much fuel. What happens if a fuel injector is dirty? Restricted flow of fuel. Now there is a caveat that if the fuel flow is so low that the engine is struggling more than usual to pull the load due to one or two injectors/cylinders not contributing. However, if that were the case, I'd expect you'd feel it in the way the engine runs and you'd probably even get a bank x lean code.

That being said, it won't hurt you to add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank and see what happens.

Injector cleaner is inexpensive and something that I suggest using at every oil change.

-Rod

[dcmaynard]

would putting sea foam be in your gas tank be work as a fuel injector cleaner?

[shorod]

Originally Posted by dcmaynard

would putting sea foam be in your gas tank be work as a fuel injector cleaner?

Yep, I would say that would count.

-Rod