1998 Ford Explorer P1131

Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 207,000 MILES
Codes popped up, and is the only code. What shall I do and what exactly does this code mean? Some info, replaced intake gasket and gasket that goes between lower intake and the fuel rail. Had coolant leak in the oil till I tightened lower intake manifold after heat cycle. Ever since no loss of coolant. I did this about 4-5 weeks ago. Maybe the code popped up because I was low on gas?
Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 AT 8:22 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The means the 0/2 sensor is reporting a lean mixture. That could be anything from a vacuum leak, to low fuel pressure, to a clogged injector to a bad 0/2 sensor.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
ALEX_BUENA
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Ok thanks, well the code disappeared after putting gas and driving it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It didn't disappear unless somebody cleared it or disconnected the battery.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
I don't know what to tell you haha, I am the only one that drives it and I didn't clear the code. Drove like 30 min highway from work made like 5 min stop at home and came back to no check engine light.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Just because the light went out doesn't mean the code is gone. It's still in memory and likely will appear again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
Checked for codes and there is none. I will keep in mind the things you listed. Do you think that code came up because of low gas? Haven't changed my O2s in a long time anyway to tell if good or not? What type of brand I should look at? Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Motorcraft or Denso are the best.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
Ok, anyway to tell if they are bad? Looked at my Fuel Trims and they are stuck at -100 and never move. Been like that for a long time. Is that a sign they are bad?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The fuel trims are determined by the 0/2 readings so that's not surprising. You can monitor the 0/2 voltage with either a DVOM or live data on a scanner. Below.500v signals lean. Above that indicates rich. It should constantly cross between rich and lean. If it's reading lean, try to artificially enrich it with some carb cleaner or Propane and see if the 0/2 responds by going full rich.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
Which O2 sensors do I replace?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, September 25th, 2015 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The upstream sensors are the only ones that effect vehicle performance.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, September 25th, 2015 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
So got the code p0133, guess that can confirm need new o2. How many do I need to buy?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
You haven't confirmed anything but changing the 0/2s for maintenance is always a good thing to do. They lose sensitivity over time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
OHYEA
  • MEMBER
  • 153 POSTS
Oh ok, thought when o2 sensors are slow in response it is the beginning stage of failure. Any idea of how many up stream sensor I have to replace? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It has 2
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 AT 10:46 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links