Are they connected?

My power steering started getting sluggish about a week ago, about the same time that my idle got shaky at stops. Now when I come to a stop, the Explorer almost bucks because it wants to stall so bad. I have regular oil changes with high-mileage oil and generally maintain the vehicle well.

I also normally get about 300 miles to a tank of gas (I reset my trip every time I FILL the vehicle), but now I'm only getting like 250-275 MAX. I thought maybe my injectors needed cleaning, so I put a thing of Lucas injector cleaner in with this tank and also put in 94 Octane gasoline to try and clean the motor out. Is this my problem?

Do you have any other suggestions or troubleshooting tips? The plugs and wires were changed within the last 10K miles and the air filter is clean.

I'm at a loss.

Thank you in advance.

Greg

 

I am not an expert, but I would check the belt and accessories for added tension. The power steering pump is on that as well. And if there is too much of a load on the belt, it can cause idling problems as well because it is putting a load on the motor.

 

I don't do that while it's running do I? Also, if there IS too much tension on the belt, how do I adjust? Don't most cars these days have auto-tensioner pulleys? Do I need to just grease it or work it loose a little or something?

Thanks,
Greg

 

no not while running. And sorry for saying "tension". I am trying to figure stuff out at work.

I am thinking, one of your accessories, i.e. Power steering pump, AC pump, whatever else is on the belt, is dragging, causing a load to the belt and motor.

 

sorry to be so ignorant, but how do I go about diagnosing the problem? Replace the PS motor/pump? How do I find out what it is?

Thanks,
Greg

 

That is something I also don't know without having assistants on how or a repair book for troubleshooting.

 

anybody have any other ideas? I don't want to just replace the power steering pump if it's not necessary....besides the fact that it's really buried beneath the A/C compressor and such.

Could I test the voltage/resistance to it or something else electronically?

 

bump...sorry

 

The problems could be related in a sense that lower idle speed also slows the PS pump causing more effort to turn the wheel. I would look for vacuum leaks around the intake manifold or air leaks anywhere on the engine side of the MAF sensor. Another little trick you can try is to simply disconnect the MAF sensor(on the air cleaner housing) and see if your idle returns to normal. If it idles better with that sensor disconnected, I've found that purchasing a new MAF sensor usually solves the rough idle and mileage problem. Once your idle is returned to normal, check the PS effort. If it's still hard to turn you could be in for a new PS pump which isn't entirely uncommon in Fords.

Good luck!!

 

now I'm having trouble starting....it cranks for a while and sometimes I have to stop on the gas pedal to get it to start and even then it rough idles and then idles at about 1500 RPMs for a while (normally under 1000). Any ideas?