Black smoke

Tiny
BOBBY_LANGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
I have a 95 explorer and sometimes when I drive the check engine light comes on and the car acts like transmission slips out of gear then smokes black smoke restart the car or drive it a few blocks it kicks out of it had it to three mechanics one said computer one said the fuel pump and the other one dint get any codes any ideas been scratching my head for a month
Saturday, February 21st, 2009 AT 6:25 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
Some of the causes of black smoke would be the fuel pressure regulator and the mass air flow sensor. More likely the sensor than the regulator. Also, when mass air flow sensors go out of calibration, they do not always generate a trouble code.

Just a few quick ideas.
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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
BOBBY_LANGE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Do you think that maf would make the tranny act like its slipping and the check engine light flashes a bunch and I cant turn the overdrive off when its acting up its really weird
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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
There are a lot of possibilities here. Bad signals from the MAF can "confuse" the computer, causing many possible "reactions." The computer decides which gear to activate in the transmission based on inputs from sensors. It calculates for engine loading, RPMs, road speed, etc. If a sensor gives a reading that is not correct, but not out of range, it can cause the computer to select the wrong gear. This can give the impression of slipping. If the computer selects a higher gear than it should, it can seem very sluggish, like if you put a manual transmission in high gear at 5mpn. If this happens with an automatic, the torque converter is then the only reduction available, so it will rev up to stall speed without making the car move as it should.

There is also the possibility that you have more than one problem, in which case the two symptoms may be unrelated.

Start with the problem that is the most important, and then work from there to see if other problems exist.

As with any diagnosis, do not overlook the basic needs of an engine - fuel/air mix, spark, and compression. If one goes wrong, the other two will not matter. Too many people start out by guessing and changing parts. This is an expensive way to effect a repair.

A live reading from several sensors and a fuel pressure gauge while it is acting up would be a big help. If you have a scan tool with this capability or a friend that has one, that would be a good place to start. Good luck.
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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
JONATHAN MANGUAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'm having the exact problem with my 1995 Ford Explorer XLT. I had a tune up done and it stopped blowing black smoke out the exhaust and stopped shaking. All was fine. Then I turned off the truck and back on again and it started right back up. I then replaced the fuel pressure regulator, vacuum lines since they were brittle but the problem is still there. I have the fuel pump and will do that next but I can't get any codes. Not sure if the computer went bad. Not sure how to check that. Any advice?
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.
If you want to check codes for an OBD1 system here is the tutorial:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/ford-lincoln-mercury-obd1-1995-and-earlier-diagnostic-trouble-code-definition-and-retrieval

After reading, scroll the page to find Ford.Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
JONATHAN MANGUAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have an OBD1 reader but I can get any codes. Even with different machines.
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again,

Is the check engine light on ? Here is a tutorial for black smoke:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-black-smoke

Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
JONATHAN MANGUAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, the check engine light is on. Has rough idle and black smoke. Burning fuel fast too.
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

I do know that auto parts store AutoZone will check your codes for free. When you get the codes- get back to us with the code number and we can then help you properly diagnose the issue. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2019 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
DREAMER81080
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 226,746 MILES
My 94 ford explorer when started will idle low 200 - 600 for a second then turn off if i keep my foot on the gas in netural it will stay running then will run fine for a few then start back to running rough around 200-600 rpms then die unless i keep my foot on the gas in netural idleing around 900- 1500 rpms when idleing but not all the time black smoke (siut) out of the exhaust ?? plz help!!!!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/521213_smoke_1.jpg

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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Is the check engine light on? This happens when cold? Or all the time, even after re starting a hot engine?
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DREAMER81080
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes the light is on when the problem occurs it does it most the time cold or hot it will restart right after it dies. This problem just started a few days ago
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First step is to read the codes, Autozone does it free, then post codes found here.
Or try to read the codes yourself: Jump the two termnals shown together and turn key to "ON" and count the flashes... a 22 will flash as 2 flashes then a short pause, then 2 flashes, if more than one code is stored, the pause will be longer. The codes will display three times and end with 11 or 111. Write them down and post here. First do this with the key on engine off, then again with it running.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_OBDI_Connector_1.jpg

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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DREAMER81080
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay I will try that.
Here is a few things ive done so far (i have a autoshop next door that helps me out ) ive cleaned the egr vavle, idle control vavle/mortor cleaned intank manafold, air censors were cleaned, and that about it
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-1
Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Things to look at, O2 sensor VERY important, Coolant temp sensor, this acts kind of like a choke for fuel injected cars. Black smoke = too rich, too much fuel.
With 200,000 plus miles I would replace both! After parts replacement remove the negative battery cable for 5 minutes to clear the KAM(keep alive memory) or the computer may not know the new parts are there.
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBERTWES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
I changed my tranmission fluid and now there's black smoke coming out of the exhaust and it dosen't ldle right since I changed the transmission fluid. It's also putting. It has 195,000 miles and a V6 4.3 liter engine. Can you offer any advice?
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY22
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,375 POSTS
Changing the fluid shouldn't have caused this problem, im wondering if you may have bumped or pulled a wiring harness by the dipstick, sounds like iac, check the wiring and let us know, check everything close to where you were working up top

jim
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN PRENGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
My 1994 explorer engine light is on. I drove it like this for some time. The other day while entering the hwy from the ramp the truck would olny go 35 mph. Prior to this when on the hwy at 65 mph the engine light would go on and off periodically. When the light would come on you could hear a slight thump (like it was shifting gear). When turned over the exhast lets out a puff of black smoke. If placed is park while running and the gas pedal is pressed black smoke come out of the exhast.
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Pull the code/s from the computer-black smoke could be the oxygen sensor/s not adjusting fuel demand. Excessive fuel pressure due to pressure regulator/MAF sensor.
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CAROLLEBLANC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
1994 ford explorer. Idles rough and there is black smoke from tailpipe.
Please help
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)

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