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Engine trouble

  • Thread starter Thread starter 935point0
  • Start date Start date Aug 2, 2006
9

935point0

New Member
Mar 3, 2006
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A House
Aug 2, 2006
#1
  • Aug 2, 2006
  • #1
A few weeks ago my 93 5.0 over heated about a mile from my house. I heard a thud under the car and I lost a lot of power after. I made it home and the car has been sitting since. I’ve cranked it up a few times to see if I can tell what is wrong. It is idling very ruff and is not smoothly revving. It’s not smoking at all but the exhaust smells like it is running very rich. I’m sure it could be a # of things causing this but I can’t figure it out. I’ve checked for vacuum hose loose and changed the plugs thinking a cylinder is not firing. Any ideas, anyone? I know it’s hard to diagnose with very little info but any help in the right direction would be great. Someone mentioned it could be a clogged cat.



Thanks,
Jeff
 

bullitstang1313

Member
Jan 21, 2003
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0
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Indianapolis / Columbus, Indiana
Aug 2, 2006
#2
  • Aug 2, 2006
  • #2
Could you post what kind of car and mods you have that way we can have a better idea of what we are dealing with?
 

68keyblr

20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 17, 2003
946
20
49
Arizona
Aug 2, 2006
#3
  • Aug 2, 2006
  • #3
What codes do you pull?
 
9

935point0

New Member
Mar 3, 2006
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A House
Aug 2, 2006
#4
  • Aug 2, 2006
  • #4
No mods, 93 Mustang LX 5.0 hatch. I haven't pulled any codes yet. I have access to a Genisys OTC scanner so I am going to try and hook it up today.
 
9

935point0

New Member
Mar 3, 2006
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A House
Aug 7, 2006
#5
  • Aug 7, 2006
  • #5
I pulled codes KOER

12 Idle not stable
21 Coolent Temp
91 Left bank running lean
 
9

90bluegt

Founding Member
Dec 9, 1999
592
0
16
Aug 7, 2006
#6
  • Aug 7, 2006
  • #6
12 (r): PCM could not increase idle speed above normal idle during KOER high RPM idle check. Suspect throttle body coking.

21 (or): ECT (Engine Coolant Temp) out of range. Coolant is less than 50degF for KOEO, or less than 180degF for KOER, or greater than 250degF for either. If coolant temp is in proper range, suspect ECT sensor. (It won't be, for KOER tests on cars that have a 160degF thermostat!) -- Get a new one 18 bucks

91 (rc*): EGO/HO2S oxygen sensor voltage always lean, bank #2. Suspect vacuum leaks, EGR system, plugs, plug wires, EGO sensor. (c*): No oxygen sensor transitions detected, bank #2.

Check some of those things out and see what's wrong.
 

jrichker

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Aug 8, 2006
#7
  • Aug 8, 2006
  • #7
Cylinder balance test:
Warm the car's engine up to normal operating temperature. Use a jumper wire or paper clip to put the computer into test mode. Start the engine and let it go through the normal diagnostic tests, then quickly press the throttle to the floor. The engine RPM should exceed 2500 RPM's for a brief second. The engine RPM's will increase to about 1450-1600 RPM and hold steady. The engine will shut off power to each injector, one at a time. When it has sequenced through all 8 injectors, it will flash 9 for everything OK, or the number of the failing cylinder such as 2 for cylinder #2. Quickly pressing the throttle again up to 2500 RPM’s will cause the test to re-run with smaller qualifying figures. Do it a third time, and if the same cylinder shows up, the cylinder is weak and isn’t putting out power like it should. See the Chilton’s Shop manual for the complete test procedure

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html for more descriptive help
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at Walmart.

Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?3829 – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $33.

Do a compression test on all the cylinders.
Take special note of any cylinder that shows up as weak in the cylinder balance test. Low compression on one of these cylinders rules out the injectors as being the most likely cause of the problem. Look at cylinders that fail the cylinder balance test but have good compression. These cylinders either have a bad injector, bad spark plug or spark plug wire. Move the wire and then the spark plug to another cylinder and run the cylinder balance test again. If it follows the moved wire or spark plug, you have found the problem. If the same cylinder fails the test again, the injector is bad. If different cylinders fail the cylinder balance test, you have ignition problems or wiring problems in the 10 pin black & white electrical connectors located by the EGR.

How to do a compression test:
Only use a compression tester with a screw in adapter for the spark plug hole. The other type leaks too much to get an accurate reading. Your local auto parts store may have a compression tester to rent. If you do mechanic work on your own car on a regular basis, it would be a good tool to add to your collection.

With the engine warmed up, remove all spark plugs and prop the throttle wide open, crank the engine until it the gage reading stops increasing. On a cold engine, it will be hard to tell what's good & what's not. Some of the recent posts have numbers ranging from 140-170 psi. If the compression is low, squirt some oil in the cylinder and do it again – if it comes up, the rings are worn. There should be no more than 10% difference between cylinders. Use a blow down leak test (puts compressed air inside cylinders) on cylinders that have more than 10% difference.
 
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