Fuel system problems on a 95 Taurus

[polarsusd81]

My car has been giving me some troubles lately. Often (75% or better) times in the morning when starting and running the idle is extremely rough, and makes the car feel jumpy, especially upon backing out of the driveway. Driving down the road, under throttle or at cruising speeds, it feels like the car is stuttering. When it first started happening, I thought it was maybe the notorious tranny in the car going out, but that has been ruled out. The only time I really don't feel the stuttering is when I am decelerating or coasting. While sitting at a stop sign or stop light, it feels like the car is surging and I will have to hold the break harder and harder to keep it from surging on me. Also to note that sometimes when driving down the road, punching it to 3/4 throttle will clear it up enough to get up to speed on the highway but then after I get up to cruising speed it starts surging again.

Things I have done include a new fuel filter, fuel injector cleaner, and I have removed the MAF sensor and cleaned the two wires with IPA and cotton swabs. All seemed to help a little short term but it just keeps doing the same thing. Air filter is newish (3k).

My thoughts are fuel injectors need replacing. Any ideas for me to try here on the cheap before I replace the injectors for more than I paid for the car?

[Jeremy airjer W]

No check engine light?

[polarsusd81]

No check engine light or any codes. I hooked up my step dad's diagnostic machine, (rather simple one, not the big expensive shop version) and nothing came up either.

[jeffreyd]

I am leaning toward fuel pump. I had the same car and it would do the same thing and in the summer especially if tank was low on fuel it would just not start after being driven. Replaced pump never had a problem again.

[Jeremy airjer W]

3.0 or 3.8?

[polarsusd81]

O2 sensor maybe? Doubtful, but maybe?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I wonder if you have a vacuum leak?

[Macgyver55]

Shooting from the hip I'd say a plug wire or coil pack....

[polarsusd81]

3.0 Jeremy.

[Jeremy airjer W]

It wouldn't hurt to have a peek at live data just to make sure things like the coolant temp sensor aren't out of range.

[polarsusd81]

How would I go about getting a peak at the live data? Complex Diagnostic Computer? My uncle has a shop up in St. Francis, I might just have to make a trip up there.

[Jeremy airjer W]

No, an easy to use scan tool is all you need. You can get a decent one for about $2,500.

I would check for vacuum leaks first. It seems to me there is a vacuum line than goes to the transmission that rots out and cracks causing all kinds of problems. I might be thinking of older tauruses or even escorts but it can't hurt to eliminate the maechanical stuff before you jump to the electrical stuff.

A can of carb spray can also help narrow down a vacuum leak. It will alsoo let you know if the ignition is leaking when it starts on fire so be careful!!

[polarsusd81]

I have the Chilton's manual for the car so I will check that for the vaccuum line stuff and take a look at the car this evening. If it is as simple as a vaccuum line, I am going to kick myself in the shin.

[Macgyver55]

Good point! I've found several PCV hoses collapsed/rotted or the plastic part cracked on Taurus' too.

[polarsusd81]

So I found several things wrong under the hood and fixed each of them. The rubber elbow on the vaccuum line from the PCv valve was shot. Replaced that and got better vaccuum, did the PCV valve as well. Then I found that the vaccuum port on the intake was very loose, 1 full turn (360 degrees) loose. Tightened that and it helped. Then I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor after finding some corrosion on the points. Now she is running great.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I hope you didn't find any points!

Its amazing how several little things can make such a huge difference.

[polarsusd81]

You know what I meant. Anyway, it feels like a new car. Now just a couple more things to fix and it will be good to go for quite a while longer.