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1998 SOHC rough idle
- Thread starter Ricardo Miramontes
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JM Dookie
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- Tucson, AZ
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- '96 XLT
Got it fixed!
I took my vehicle in the fourth time for the same problem (rough idle) and they finally fixed it. The intake manifold gaskets had shrunk and caused a vacuum leak. This caused my MAS (which they replaced two times unnecessarily) to give a false reading. I told them that it was a vacuum leak the first time but they didn't listen. Thanks for the input guys, because of you I knew what to tell them to look for. Hopefully you can find a good mechanic who will take the time to diagnose the problem and then you don't have to rely on the Ford dealer.
I took my vehicle in the fourth time for the same problem (rough idle) and they finally fixed it. The intake manifold gaskets had shrunk and caused a vacuum leak. This caused my MAS (which they replaced two times unnecessarily) to give a false reading. I told them that it was a vacuum leak the first time but they didn't listen. Thanks for the input guys, because of you I knew what to tell them to look for. Hopefully you can find a good mechanic who will take the time to diagnose the problem and then you don't have to rely on the Ford dealer.
Ricardo Miramontes
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Cost of repair?
Hey, Dookie,what was the total cost of the repair, not including the two MAS?
Hey, Dookie,what was the total cost of the repair, not including the two MAS?
This thread died a month ago but I have new info on my trusty steed that also has the surging problem.
Today, I went to the local dealer and explained what was happening. I did not tell them about the TSB right away. The service department had a mechanic come listen to my story and within 30 seconds he said that early SOHCs had a shrinking gasket problem that has been corrected with a slighty thicker material. He said that it could be a throttle body problem or the MAS but once I explained that I'd cleaned the MAS, he said that he was 99% convinced it was the gaskets because he'd worked on three others with similar problems.
In a way it is a refreshing experience to have a mechanic immediately diagnose a problem because I know there are some posts talking about how the dealers didn't figure it out right away.
Anyway, he's keeping the Exploder overnight so he can run some tests first thing in the morning to confirm the diagnosis when the gasket would have shrunk the most.
They gave me a wimpy Focus to drive but I'm seeing some off-road potential here. It was great over the parking lot speed bump.
[Edited by Jeff on 11-08-2000 at 01:53 PM]
Today, I went to the local dealer and explained what was happening. I did not tell them about the TSB right away. The service department had a mechanic come listen to my story and within 30 seconds he said that early SOHCs had a shrinking gasket problem that has been corrected with a slighty thicker material. He said that it could be a throttle body problem or the MAS but once I explained that I'd cleaned the MAS, he said that he was 99% convinced it was the gaskets because he'd worked on three others with similar problems.
In a way it is a refreshing experience to have a mechanic immediately diagnose a problem because I know there are some posts talking about how the dealers didn't figure it out right away.
Anyway, he's keeping the Exploder overnight so he can run some tests first thing in the morning to confirm the diagnosis when the gasket would have shrunk the most.
They gave me a wimpy Focus to drive but I'm seeing some off-road potential here. It was great over the parking lot speed bump.
[Edited by Jeff on 11-08-2000 at 01:53 PM]
Robert
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You should have requested the Expedition of off-road rentals, the Contour! It will take 12" curbs with barely a wimper (going down only though!) 
It at least sounds like your dealer knows what he is doing though. Yes, testing it when the engine is cold will confirm if it is the manifold o-rings.
It at least sounds like your dealer knows what he is doing though. Yes, testing it when the engine is cold will confirm if it is the manifold o-rings.I asked for the Excursion of all rentals - the Fiesta but it was in Moab. Sorta like a perverted version of midget wrestling.
I'm seeing a joke here involving Moab and The Rock but I'm too tired from watching the election results to figure out what it is.
I'm seeing a joke here involving Moab and The Rock but I'm too tired from watching the election results to figure out what it is.
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