1992 Ford Death Trap, I mean Explorer Mechanical advise.?

Question

I have just started having a problem with my car, and my mechanic can't recreate the problem. I'll describe it as best I can:
The engine seems to hestiate or sputter intermittently, either as I accellerate from a stop, or while crusing at highway speeds. It's not like it's missing, more of a jerk or a lurching feeling.
Sometimes the "Check Engine" light comes on. Then it will go off.
My mechanic cleaned the fuel injectors and replaced the choke trottle, I think. He said the fuel filter looked new, so he didn't replace it. It's a lot like when the fuel pump went off on
It is has started leaking water from the intake manifold. The mechanic also said something about head gaskets.
I also just had a tune up, and the car does not have an EGR value, I'm told.
I want to know if:
The water leak could be causing the check engine light to come on.
The Oxygen Sensor may be the problem.
The Head Gaskets may be the problem.
The Fuel Pump may be the problem

Any other thoughts?

Funny, Paris.
Considering it's a Fix Or Repair Daily, I'm surprised it's lasted this long.
I'm just want to know if it's worth keeping running for a while longer.

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath to find out the answer. Here it is: The Mass Air Flow Sensorl. Go figure. Here's an article:
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/l/bl827d.htm

Answer 1

I'm going for a TOP CONTRIBUTOR badge in auto maintenance and repairs since the bastards took my L. A. badge....JK

You might need a new alternator....that's what they always tell me.....LOL

Scheeeesh---How long did you expect to drive this vehicle???

Answer 2

Usually a miss or stutter in the ignition can seem like the vehicle is jerking or lurching because of the intermittent loss and resumption of power and being an intermittent problem may be an indication of a bad ignition coil(s) or module.....sometimes they go bad from the engine heat and do not display the problem until warmed up or under load. Could also be a bad ignition wire. See what Check Engine codes are stored, if any, when this occurs to isolate any computer problems as well....light will only come on if a computer, computer-operated device or sensor is involved, won't come on if its fuel pump, head gasket or water leak problem unless it affect's a computer sensor or system. Loss of fuel pressure at times may cause this condition also....like from a weak or bad fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator. Another forum or board to check for info is...........
http://www.therangerstation.com/
Trouble code info---http://www.batauto.com/

Answer 3

I'm going to assume that it has a 5.0 in it. If that is true then you really have little to worry about. The suspension bushings and the normal degradation of materials in the suspension were done long before you got your hands on it, so as long as you are happy with how the car handles then you really don't have to worry about that. As for the engine there is never really a time to think that engines are going to take care of themselves. A cheap good investment is an OBD1 code reader. If you have any check engine lights this will help to track down which sensor is telling you what. They run around 30 dollars, so they aren't too much of an investment, and they give you what shops will charge hundreds of dollars to tell you. Preventative maintenance is a far more effective way to take care of a vehicle than repairing each problem as they surface. Although it may seem counter intuitive to replace parts that are in working order it is far worse when you are stuck on the side of the road because a $5 sensor decided it was going to quit that day. As long as you continually change the oil on a regular basis and keep everything else in check then the car will continue to run as long as you continue to maintain it. Good luck.

Answer 4

If the check engine light came on you need to see what code made it come on. It is probably related. I would start with the water leak. Could be head gaskets, cracks in the head. Intake crack. The code will probably be lean fuel mixture but check it out.

Answer 5

find out how,
and see what the check engine light is giving for an error for.

I had a 1991 Mitsubishi have the check engine light do that, I finally hooked up a reader (1 resistor and an LED for that car), left it connected, and pulled over to see what the code was when it came on next.

it might give you some direction

Answer 6

Sorry. If a qualified mechanic can't recreate the problem, hands on...

Answer 7

Junk it!!!