Idle Problem 2.3 DOHC 2002

[Incinr8]

2002 2.3 DOHC, 5Speed , 130K Miles. Drove home and it ran great. Went to start it up a couple days later and idled like crap from the second it started and can hear "Popping" In the intake manifold every couple of seconds. Comp Test=185 +/- PSIx4(Good) Fuel Pressure 65 PSI(Good) Coil pack, plug wires, plugs And plug color (Good). No oil in water or water in oil, All the Vacume lines look hooked up. Also seems to drive ok when I get it past idle. No check engine light, No codes when I tried to pull them. What am I missing? Any Ideas? Thanks in Advance. Curt.

 

[Incinr8]

Ok, Does anyone know how much vacume i should have at idle? Thanks.

 

[Sunk]

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm

 

[kickenit]

2001 2.3 had a po171 code so i started loking for a vacuum leak and im thinking anything under 16 psi means you still have a leak cant remember for sure

 

[Incinr8]

Soooo.... it turned out to be a vacume leak from a plastic threaded plug that had blown out/fallen out of the side of the manifold. It couldnt been seen with the manifold on. I found it by spraying some carb cleraner around different parts of the manifold. thanks for the help.

 

[lemmy999]

Can you tell me where the plug was? I am having almost the exact same symptoms, including the popping . The only difference is that I will sometimes get a misfire cyl 1 code (301) and a lean condition on O2 sensor (2195). I have check the O2 out of the vehicle and it is working. when I spray carb cleaner around the base of injector one the RPMs increase (still doesn't completely smooth out though, but it is better). So I was thinking something around that area.

 

[lemmy999]

I took my manifold off and I think I had the same problem you did. I called Ford and they said it definitely should be plugged, but you can't buy that plug. I am curious what you did to fix it and seal the leak. Ford said a new intake, but I am sure something can be rigged up.

 

[chaditude]

Had this problem. Removed p.s. pump found plug resting on head tucked in a nice little cuby. Located my epoxy and told ford to keep the intake no problems for the last 2000 miles!

 

[Incinr8]

Sorry so late to reply lemmy. Thats exactly the plug that blew out. I ended up JB welding it back in place and also stuck a larger metal washer on top of the plug, All JB wealded together. Its running great!