Hot Engine / Won't Start or Rough Idle

[Psychopete]

The guy got me all confused as to which one I need. I'm assuming I need the one for the gauge, right? Thats the one that the computer uses to tell the temperature of the engine?

The sender for the gauge is only for the gauge.

You need (well, are you sure that is the problem? ) the engine coolant temperature sender, where are you calling to? It really does help to get the part number from their web site, there have been times that I've had to skip out on stuff because the parts guy just couldn't find what I was looking for or got confused like what you're dealing with now. It's likely they'll have it in stock, talk to the right person, and they'll probably know exactly what you need.

Pete

 

[Jspafford]

Yeah, mine was like $8.

 

[Kalwren]

I bought it at Advance Auto Parts. Cost me $16.99.

I'm putting it in tomorrow, so hopefully this will help my engine run better.

The next thing I need to do is track down a vacuum leak. I bought a propane torch, so I'm going to use that route and try to find the leak.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to use a propane torch to find a vacuum leak on these 4.0 engines? I'd appreciate any suggestions and I mostly have no idea what I'm doing.

I assume to just let out a little propane and hold the end of the torch (not lit of course!) near any place that I can see a hose connecting to?

If/when the engine idle speeds up, then I've found a leak?

 

[eric17mx]

howd it turn out man? my radiator has a small leak, im thinking maybe the senor itself not being in coolant because its so high up might have something to do with it, i bought some cheap radiator stuff because i dont feel like putting this spare radiator in, anyone know if a explorer one will work in a ranger? anyway it hasnt been doing it since, i went shooting yesterday and it was 100 out every 20 minutes or so i would start my truck and drive to the targets, i didnt have a problem in the 3 times i let it sit and started it back up, man i hope that fixed it.

 

[Kalwren]

howd it turn out man?

Lol, the sensor required a 1" diameter socket. I bought one a few days ago and haven't put it in yet. I'm hoping to do it tomorrow or Friday.

 

[sacksquash]

did you ever figure out what the problem was? It just happened to me

 

[eric17mx]

Yea got hot here yesterday and I went shooting truck sat for 20 minutes and started and died right away worse then before I don't know but it is only doing it after it's hot and sits for more then ten minutes really annoying but it hasn't been acting up for a week or more then just boom it happens?? Any help would be much appriciated

 

[Kalwren]

Just updating the thread, incase someone else has this problem.


8/21/09:
RESOLVED!

This entire issue turned out to be a FUEL PUMP that was going bad. It was providing ~20lbs of pressure. Just enough for the engine to run, until it needed fuel "on driver demand". It was fuel starved, as the pump couldn't provide the ~35lbs of pressure that it normally does. It cost me $278 to have a mechanic replace the fuel pump.

The mechanic stated that when you turn on the key and the fuel pump primes, it provides around ~40 lbs of pressure to start the engine. My pump was providing around 20, just enough to start and stay running, but it had a hard time under load but could provide enough fuel to drive it.

I've also posted the solution under the original message that I started the thread with.

I'd like to thank everyone who offered suggestions as to how I can fix it. Through all the troubleshooting, I'm now quite familiar with my engine and am more comfortable working on it.

Thanks guys!