1997 Ford Explorer Low acceleration

STARDUST1176

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

We have a 97 Ford Explorer 4.0 ohv. The check engine light is on and flashes when you go up a hill. It shakes and sputters when going up hill, and sometimes on a flat surface. When it is on a flat surface the engine rems up a little before it will shift. To get it to go you have to find the spot in the accelerator to give it gas. We so far replaced 3 oxygen censors, a fuel pump, the fuel filter, coil pack, a fuel injector, catylitic convertor, head gasket, lower and upper intake gasket, valve seals, spark plug and wires before head gasket was done, cleaned the maf sensor. We checked the codes and first it was a misfire on 4, then on 6. We are running out of money trying to find the problem please help.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

It sounds like fuel starvation, check fuel pump pressure, could be a failing pump. Or bad fuel pressure regulator, test like this.
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm
Go here and checkout our video.
The other possibility is a bad(clogged converter) Check it by rapping it with a rubber mallet, if you hear rattling sounds, the "bed" inside is damaged, and can cause pieces to lodge in the exhaust pipes and muffler, choking the engine.