Several Problems

[HollyTautz]

I am going to keep reading while I wait but I wanted to post because it's just about time for me to take Matilda in and get some work done (yes, I named her). If I need to post these separately, let me know and I will do so.

Matilda has 145,000 miles. I bought her used from a lot so have no clue if anything was done when it was supposed to. I have no CELs at all.

Problem #1
Hesitation/Misfire/Jerking when "feathering" the gas pedal between 45 and 50 as well as occasionally between 65 and 70. I have had the plugs and coil pack changed. When they initially changed them, they claimed the coil pack was defective and I had to wait for another one to be delivered and installed. It was okay for a day and then it started again and I took her back in. We drove and drove with a laptop hooked up but the condition would not recreate until right before we pulled in and it didn't generate any kind of code on the laptop.

Today I cleaned the MAF and the throttle body and while that seemed to take care of the rough idle, the hesitation/misfire/jerking is still there.

Problem #2
Coolant Leak. There is a tiny leak under the front driver side but I have to put coolant in at least a couple times a week and I have no idea where it's going. There's nothing in the oil that I can see. I don't know what else to look at though.

Problem #3
Rattling from under Matilda. There is what sounds like a vibrating rattling in the exhaust system. It has a metallic sound. I thought maybe heat shield but again have no clue.

Problem #4
Pulley has metallic sounding squeaking. It quiets down when wet (if water splashed up from a big puddle) or if the weather is around 65-70 degrees, sunny and dry. It also quiets the more I drive. I am pretty sure it's the idler pulley needing replacement but don't want to make a mistake. The belt is quite shiny so I am sure that needs replacement as well.

Any advice or information you can offer on these issues would be greatly appreciated. I hate to waste time and money as I don't have a lot of either! LOL! I want to just get her fixed up and working well as my son will be turning 16 soon and will be getting a license and REALLY wants Matilda for his own.

 

[Flag Gibby]

For problem #1 it could be that your throttle body is defective, but change the spark plug wires first since those didn't get changed with the plugs and coil pack. Problem #2 could be the heater lines that go to the rear that are leaking. For problem #3 I would crawl under the vehicle and shake the exhaust to see if it bangs on the frame anywhere otherwise it is in the engine compartment somewhere.

 

[D Hook]

Does this have the V6 or V8?

 

[HollyTautz]

Thank you for the fast replies! Matilda is the V6.

Problem #1 - I forgot to state that they did change the wires. Everything was still factory.

Problem #2 - May sound completely stupid but I had no idea there were heater lines in the back. What do those look like so I know what I am looking for?

Problem #3 - If it does shake and hit the frame, what is that? If it doesn't and is in the engine compartment what I am facing?

 

[Flag Gibby]

Okay, so it sounds like your throttle body needs to be replaced, however it wouldn't hurt to check the fuel line pressure and replace the fuel filter before going the route of replacing the throttle body. As far as if the exhaust is hitting the frame, then that is where your noise is coming from and you most likely have broken exhaust rubber hanger mounts and you need to fix them so that it doesn't bang on the frame anymore for the noise to go away. If it's in the engine compartment its hard to say where it could be coming from unless you can get very specific on the location of the sound. As far as the heater lines go they are a 1/2 to 3/4" line that run on the frame rail behind the driver side running board to the rear HVAC system.

 

[MNgopher]

For the coolant leak, since its on the front drivers side, I wouldn't think its the rear heater lines (if you even have them - do you have the rear heat and a/c?). If you crawl under, and see the coolant at the location(s) where the radiator is mounted, suspect your radiator needs to be replaced.

If you do have the rear heater, and after confirming the radiator is OK, then check the y-fitting in the passenger side front wheelweel. There is a long thread on this one - only applies if you have rear heat/ac.

 

[matsavol]

For #4 you can try spraying water mist to the belt only from a spray bottle. (Assuming the noise is there when car idles and you can test it at park with hood open.) If that quiets it down then it is the belt that is worn and needs replacing. If that makes no difference then you will need to look what pulley or belt driven accessory makes noise. You might want to invest $3 (sale price) to buy mechanics stethoscope from harbor freight to pinpoint the noise source...

 

[HollyTautz]

I don't think I have rear heat and A/C because those would have separate controls right? There is only a vent at the bottom of the console in the rear seating area.

One thing I did notice that a friend mentioned, there seems to be a spray pattern that I can see on the hoses on the driver side and I can smell burnt coolant after driving a bit so I assumed that there must be a leak in the radiator itself.

The squeaking/squealing noise is there at idle and that's some great advice on testing it.

I was thinking the fuel filter would need replacement but I've been told there are two of them. One on the frame and one in the tank. Is that true?

Thank you all for the help, I have been very anxious about these problems and have been searching and searching for answers. I am starting to feel like they are not insurmountable or extremely costly (except the radiator).

 

[MNgopher]

If you had rear heat and ac, then yes, you would have another set of controls for them.

Radiator isn't too bad to tackle yourself if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Fordtechmakuloco had a nice video of how to get it done on this generation - no need to have the a/c system discharged. My biggest issue when I did that job was the tranmission cooler fittings - I could not get the quick disconnects to release, even with the proper tool. Ended up swapping fittings from the old to the new and no problems so far...

 

[Flag Gibby]

I don't think I have rear heat and A/C because those would have separate controls right? There is only a vent at the bottom of the console in the rear seating area.

One thing I did notice that a friend mentioned, there seems to be a spray pattern that I can see on the hoses on the driver side and I can smell burnt coolant after driving a bit so I assumed that there must be a leak in the radiator itself.

The squeaking/squealing noise is there at idle and that's some great advice on testing it.

I was thinking the fuel filter would need replacement but I've been told there are two of them. One on the frame and one in the tank. Is that true?

Okay, thanks for clarifying exactly where it looks like the leak is at, your original statement led me to think that you were talking about under the driver side area and not in the engine compartment. With the engine running and the hood up, I would take a look at the thermostat housing area using a good bright flashlight and you should be able to see where the leak is at even if its not the housing since you say that you see a spray pattern. The thermostat housing is the most common thing to fail and leak coolant. Also, if coolant is getting on the serpentine belt it would cause it to squeal and make a lot of noise. As far as the fuel filter, there is only one and it is mounted just in front of the tank near the frame on the passenger side; the only thing in the tank is the fuel pump.

 

[HollyTautz]

Thank you all so much who took the time to read and answer!

I took it in today to a trusted mechanic and the radiator does need to be replaced. I had thought that might be the case but had hoped otherwise. They are going to put in all new hoses as well as the ones with it are original.

The hesitation that I have been experiencing is covered by a TSB and the recommended solution is to replace the fuel filter and reprogram the ECM. Let's hope that fixes the problem as I know it can be a "phantom".

It is only the belt that is squeaking and will be replaced as it is not in good shape! And the water trick really helped ease my mind about the pulleys as I was afraid those were bad.

The metallic sounding vibration underneath is caused by an exhaust flange that needs replacement.

And yes, rear brakes as I had thought and an oil change. Might as well do everything.

Thank you all again! Too bad there isn't a forum like this for Mercury Sables!