It seemed like a good idea a year ago today.., 2004 Escape Xlt 3.0, 57,000 original miles, Suv in mint condition and carfax revealed I'd be the 2nd owner.... $5,000..Score!!! Everything was great until 2 months ago. The escape started " sputtering", but only when it was idling at red lights or drive throughs. A few days later, the check engine light lit up. I had the truck scanned and it came up 0171, and 0174. I think....I was told by Auto zone..that it was probably just an old MAF sensor. I Rreplaced it and my air filter, but the problem persisted, Armed with the print out, I took it to my mechanic . ( at this point, I'm $100.00 invested) My mechanic will only use OE parts, so I figured he'd fix it and I'd be done....lol...First visit, new fuel filter, EGR valve, ($250.00 p/l) ok, it's fixed, good to go...nope 24 hours later, check engine light is on again. The escape sounds like a 20 year smoker in the morning at idle, and now just for flair, it dies while idling. Trip #2.. Mechanic replaced the Idle air control valve ( $150.00 p/l). I took the escape home about a mile way, pulled into my driveway and it all starts again..Trip #3 My Mechanic replaced the PCV hose and valve along with the hose that crosses the top of the motor ($ 275.00 p/l). This time, I make it a the way to my business no issues, I'm estactic..I tattoo all day, close at 10pm, hop in my little Suv, turn the key and I'm greeted with a bright and shiny check engine light. The next day, I swing by Autozone to check what codes it furing off this time...same codes, 0171 ,0174, running too lean, replace Pcv hose 😤🙄💥 Trip # 4..replaced O2 sensors bank 1 and, 2 ($300.00 p/l) , no change. TRIP #5 , A Forum suggested replacing the fuel pump because that can throw Lean codes ($450.00 p/l)..NO Change 😡🤬🤬🤬🤬 Trip # 5, this time u take it to Ford for Diag.. $170.00.. they point out that the Pcv hose is the issue and not a ford part. Go back to my mechanic..He say, " well I couldn't get a Motorcraft part, so I used doorman" .. well it failed. Trip#6 Motorcraft PCv hose/valve installed( $23.00 price difference) .. the issue continues . Only thing left to replace for that system was the TPS sensor $58.00) so I installed it myself. I notice a loud hissing sound that seems to be coming from the fire wall side of the motor, and yep, you guessed it, same two Lean codes..Trip # 7, I point out the hissing to my mechanic who tells me his hearing isn't that great, so he may have missed it 🙄🤔.. Trip # 8 is scheduled for the Friday, the 6th. He says he's going to remove the intake and check all the gaskets...... I really hope replacing the gaskets will solve my issue too. .otherwise this will be the last ford anything I'll ever buy , good deal be damned.

 

Last Ford? Sounds like you need a new mechanic.

 

Or at least one that can hear well enough to hear a massive vacuum leak... (which is what probably has been the problem the whole time.....)

 

I'll just add that a piece of tubing a couple feet long will help locate the leak. Put one end to your ear and use the other end as a stethoscope.
Works like a charm.

 

Haha! I do that too, but I try to find a little funnel to slide into the hose. It works better than I would have ever thought.
Gator

 

I've fixed a lot of driveability issues on the 3.0 V6s with a set of intake gaskets. Make sure the lower ones get replaced too.

 

sorry to hear about all the trouble the xlt is giving you
my 05 was doing the exact same thing.
i replaced the ignition coils, yes all six cuz they were such a good deal from rock auto. (least expensive six pack they had)
there is a post or three here that discuss bad coils
now,
the truck runs great, 235000km on the clock.

 

Part swapping can cost a whole lot more than a professional diagnostic. If the dealer miss diagnose and repair, they eat the repair. Independents often just keep replacing stuff till they guess right. You can decide what is your preference. You can go through life calling them the stealership, but most often they get it right the first time and stand by it.