Notices
General Automotive Discussion

2002 Ford Taurus issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 09:23 PM
  #1  
mark996's Avatar
mark996
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett,TX
2002 Ford Taurus issues

I know it's a truck forum, and this place has been greatly helpful with my Excursion. I have a 2002 Taurus with the V6 3.0L engine. I have had issues with it stalling at stop lights in the heat, seems to run fine in the cooler months. I've changed plugs and wires, battery, had alternator checked out, no codes thrown last time I had it checked. I did have an issue with a clogged cat, or was told it was a clogged cat, but did not notice any performance issues other than stalling, and yet it still stalls. I'm convinced it's something to do with the heat outside. 100 degree days in Texas suck. Could it be overheating without showing hot and without smelling hot? I'm at a loss. I want this issue fixed, love the car, just hate the dying after driving for a while in the heat. Any ideas as to where to start with this? I've also cleaned the MAF, throttle body, changed air filter.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 02:50 AM
  #2  
55 f350's Avatar
55 f350
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
maybe , just maybe it's vapor locking . i.e. it's boiling the fuel in the system somewhere . used to be a once in awhile problem for older cars with mechanical pumps and carbs but haven't really seen to many newer cars suffer from it . a clogged cat is gonna choke it off and it's gonna shut down too . have the exhaust looked at then go from there . see if you got any codes in the ecu . case in point with vapor locking , my 53 effie with its flatty would so i replaced the mechanical pump which is on the intake of these lil' wonder machines , with an electric pump . no more issues . now the 52 i just recently acquired has a multitude of electrical gremlins { whaddya want from a car sitting for 44 years in storage } , but i have / was driving it quite a bit in the extreme heat we have had with the stock pump and it has yet too give me any guff . the wifes uplander just pulled a stuttering scenario and it went to the dealer and it was experiencing some sort of vapor lock issue { i don't work on or have too much to do with this vehicle } but yet my 95 bird is clicking right along with no issues ...........
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 03:17 PM
  #3  
jimandmandy's Avatar
jimandmandy
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Stalling like that in an EFI vehicle sounds like the Idle Air Control valve. I had the one in the F-150 carbon up and stick. It wont throw a computer code when it fails. You cleaned the throttle body. Did you happen to notice where the idle air bypass is located?

Vapor lock shouldnt happen with in-tank pumps that push, rather than pull fuel like the old engine-mounted pumps. Also, the way the fuel system works, cool fuel from the tank is always circulating, the excess returning back to the tank.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 08:57 PM
  #4  
mark996's Avatar
mark996
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett,TX
The AIC was located right behind the throttle body if I remember correctly. I'm trying to remember what was done with it in the past. When I took it in to get the cats changed out, they "cleaned" it and was supposed to be good as new, however after reading in to things I've found out that making it good as new is impossible with just cleaning. Would a cat get clogged so soon after it was just changed? Or could it be one of the other 4 cats that are on the vehicle? (thanks taurus engineers for cursing us with 4 converters). I'm going to take the IAC off and see what it looks like tomorrow.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:22 AM
  #5  
mark996's Avatar
mark996
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett,TX
Took the IAC off and looked at it, clean as heck. But where it goes in to the manifold (I'm guessing that's where it goes) it was caked on pretty thick. Any issues with the intake manifold getting dirty? And is it possible to clean that sucker? I looked everywhere making sure all vac lines were good. It only does it occasionally so I don't think vac line, unless it's one they changed out when the DPFE sensor blew up. I had a clogged cat, that caused it to melt the sensor/valve and all the hoses next to it. The shop I took it to used heat shrinking rubber hose to put two pieces together, I'm wondering if it gets hot under the hood it's causing that piece to close off. I haven't tried to make the car stall by plugging one of those lines, but will. I'm gonna run it up to an exhaust shop I use and let them run a diagnostics on it to see if it is another clogged cat. We shall see. What about the EGR valve?
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 04:01 AM
  #6  
55 f350's Avatar
55 f350
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
dump some seafoam in it and let it sit for awhile then fre it up . might smoke like hades for a bit ................ if you arent too picky take the cats off throw 'em away , and either have the 'putor tuned or buy or make some mil's to put in place of the rear o2 sensors and trick it into thinking the cats are still on . for my bird homemade mils consist of : spark plug non foulers for a 70 merc monterey with a 302 as the thread pitch matches the o2's pitch . you need 4 of them . drill two of them's bottom holes out to 1/2 inch then thread the untouched ones into them then the sensors in those . thread them into the o2 bungs and hook the wires back up . these go into the rear o2 sensor bungs . slows down the reading of the gasses on the sensors and tricks the 'putor into thinking the cats are still there . it works . learned about it elsewhere and ..........................................
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:46 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE