TOPIC: 2002 Explorer 4.0 V-6 Grooved with no change in performance

Would like to know if anyone else has had this problem and whether or not they were able to resolve the issue(s) in order to achieve the anticipated outcomes.

Sure - lots of people have this happen. The real question is - are you prepared to help us resolve it with you?
slapping a grooved TB on a vehicle that's 18 yrs old - no matter how well maintained - is always a bit of a crapshoot, because we don't know what the computer will do when the sensors read inputs that are different from what they've been used to seeing (and adjusting to) for quite some time. Further, it can bring forth problems with the car that may not have registered before the groove. You might discover a longstanding vacuum/EVAP leak, or stuck EGR/IAC valve or dirty MAF sensor or bad coolant temp sensor....
SO - start with the basics. a thorough "pre-sale inspection" - go over every aspect of the engine that pertains to it being an air pump that you want to make work better. check things people take for granted, like fuel pressure (maybe you need a new fuel filter so the injectors spray as they're supposed to, rather than how they are.).
Once you're satisfied that you can't make it any better that way, THEN do the re-learn procedure as described in the paperwork that came with your groovy TB.

Fords of this era took to the groove REALLY well, so something is really not right - if we can sort out what it is, and repair it, I'm confident you'll see mileage gains in the range of 30-40-50% in very short order. Are there any check engines codes stored in the computer, if the light isn't lit on the instruments?

Franklin, it is truly unusual to have no gains in performance. If for no other reason than the placement of The Groove. When the throttle moves only a fraction, there is a rush of air into the intake. This can only cause a burst in power.

When did you have The Groove done? Who performed the work for you? Have you done a vacuum check, especially around the throttle body?

Start by taking propane from a torch (unlit, please) and aim the propane around the throttle body as well as other locations. When you get near a leak, the engine will surge for a minor leak, and may die if the leak is a major one.

Start there, as the FIRST thing to check is all the stuff that was done. "Check your work" which is where I start on any question where the throttle body may be suspect.

Please post more information to help, as you didn't say anything more than a single question, which gives the diagnostician little to work with!

Ron

Ron, the first time this person posted was in this thread:
No Mileage Change? New Approach - Page 3 - Groovy Forums
No Mileage Change? New Approach - Page 3 - Groovy Forums

Can you share how that turned out for you? What did we learn about LEV/California emissions differences as far as OBD2 emissions control goes?

I'd love to see some dialog for the benefit of all, please, gents.

I appreciate the input(s) and will resume the trouble shooting process as soon as possible. Since I went through this in the three to four year ago time-frame I was hoping that someone had stumbled onto a simple solution. I had used carb cleaner in lieu of butane to do my vacuum leak check thinking it would be sufficient. I will get a bottle of butane and try it out.

I don't manage to get to the forum with any frequency at this time but I will keep checking back to see what you veterans have to suggest.

butane should work...
It may be something as simple as as bad o2 sensor or stuck IAC valve...but there's only one way to find out: the diagnostic work has to be done.

GregK wrote: Ron, the first time this person posted was in this thread:
No Mileage Change? New Approach - Page 3 - Groovy Forums
No Mileage Change? New Approach - Page 3 - Groovy Forums

Can you share how that turned out for you? What did we learn about LEV/California emissions differences as far as OBD2 emissions control goes?

I'd love to see some dialog for the benefit of all, please, gents.

Here are my conclusions based on observations over the years.

While not every Californian client has not seen benefits, this is not limited to the location of the vehicle, although ALL those purchasing their fuel in California are buying the crappiest fuel in the nation. Why this is true was given to me by more than one resident that served as night guards at refineries. Each reported separately and independently of hazardous waste trucks pulling in full and leaving empty.

It doesn't take a rocket science to figure out what's happening to the contents.

This benefits the refineries as they get paid to receive this waste and then they sell it (as fuel) which can then be destroyed in the more than 15 MM rolling incinerators registered in that state. Then, the waste, which is not strong enough to provide power to the piston, is processed in the catalytic converter. This means the garbage they put in the fuel builds up in the exhaust system causing issues there in abundance.

This is one way California increases the fuel consumption, boosting sales. Now, think of taxes and related fees charged by the states and the feds.

Back to LEV's. This is something used primarily in Ford trucks and SUV's, but when Ford produces the vehicles, in order to maintain that LEV status lock the ECU's in these vehicles in a particular fuel delivery paradigm. Further, I have tried reversing this by replacing with Federal Emissions ECU's and resulted in buying six such replacements to have the investment completely wasted.

And these vehicles are the only ones that have complained about not getting mileage.

But the result of no power increase is truly unique. For me, I would look first at the vac system in its entirety. Usually, with the hard-to-find leaks, it is in the intake gasket that is the culprit. The oil drawn into the intake through the PCV system hits the seals they now use industry-wide instead of gaskets. The seals absorb the oil and start to swell and buckle, destroying the seal.

Inspect the seal at the throttle body. If it is straight and true, you should be all right. If it's even a little wavy, remember this is the seal that gets the least oil, the seals at the intake ports get the most. So, I would consider that a positive telling you it's time to replace all intake gaskets.

Is this enough to answer your concerns, Greg?

I'm quite sorry that your experiment with swapping ECUs didn't work as well as you hoped, Ron...and if it's that easy to get the public to pay for the disposal of toxic waste, all while charging them taxes for the privilege of doing it, I wonder why it's not happening in every state? Or country, for that matter. It's a helluva good scam. But maybe only those people who live in places that the earth will eventually consume are willing to put up with that kind of abuse.

And as to the degradation of seals, well...they're making cars so well lately that they have to design in some sort of flaws that will nudge people towards sustaining their manufacturing companies. otherwise we'd all be driving Model T's with electric motors...oh SNAP - could it possibly be Model T(esla)?

But we digress. Let's focus on helping Mr Verrnon Franklin get some gains from his groove, be they performance or mileage, shall we?

And Happiest of Happy Birthdays to you, Ron!