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2001 Ford Taurus engine shudders


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Nichos
New User

Sep 26, 2010, 6:15 PM

Post #1 of 4 (3334 views)
2001 Ford Taurus engine shudders Sign In

3.0L OHV (Flex Fuel version)

Girlfriend's car (I know, right? Crazy). Check engine light came on a while back and the shuddering started and progressively got worse over a period of a week or so. Had the codes checked. Said Cylinder 1 misfire as well as problem with the gas cap. I replaced the spark plugs (bosch platinum 2+) and gas cap and the problem disappeared for about a month. Then last week the light came back on and the shudder returned and is slowly getting worse again. I thought maybe a leak (water or oil) was fouling the plug, but I would've thought a leak bad enough to foul a plug that quickly would display other symptoms such as exhaust smoke, when first started, if nothing else, but there's not.

Not real sure what to try next. Kinda confused how the plug replacement helped for a while, and I wouldn't think the plug could be bad again so quickly. My best guess right now is maybe the injectors are filthy and the new plugs helped enough to ignite the small amount of fuel that was there better than the old ones, but now they're so dirty even that won't do it... but I'm no mechanic. Grabbed some injector cleaner at the auto parts store today just to see if it helps.

Any thoughts? Thanks fellas! Smile


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 26, 2010, 6:19 PM

Post #2 of 4 (3322 views)
Re: 2001 Ford Taurus engine shudders Sign In

The very first thing you want to do is remove all those Bosch plugs and thrown them in the trash. Replace them with Motorcraft. Bosch will not run in a Ford. After that, you likely have some bad wires also, although the coil could be weak. Try the wires first.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Sep 26, 2010, 9:05 PM

Post #3 of 4 (3314 views)
Re: 2001 Ford Taurus engine shudders Sign In

Without even reading your post I knew what it was gonna say..............Sly Sly Sly


(This post was edited by Sidom on Sep 26, 2010, 9:06 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 27, 2010, 4:50 AM

Post #4 of 4 (3302 views)
Re: 2001 Ford Taurus engine shudders Sign In

">>(Bosch platinum 2+)<<"

This suggests TWO electrodes and I've seen FOUR! I seriously doubt the OE plugs had more than one. Seems Bosch has been heavily marketing that junk with cool counter displays that you get FOUR sparks at once and heck - how could it miss?

NO. Electricity 101. Spark will follow the path of least resistance. It will pick one so the others are just in the way. Of course it has to get that far via the wire or nothing happens.

As it's picking on one cylinder it may come down to the wire, a compression or fuel delivery problem or more but since it ran properly for a short while it strongly suggests the plug is not compatable.

Watch out for marketing games.

If some turkey comes by and scratches my car with a nail and pulls out a pen to make it new again he won't know what hit him!



T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Sep 27, 2010, 4:51 AM)






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