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Question:  2002 Ford Mustang  mileage: 60,000.  My daughter’s boyfriend has recently bought this car.  He has had the oil changed three times in a row before recommended, oil change.  And the oil is constantly dirty only after a couple hundred miles?

Answer: Failing to maintain necessary oil changes, results in excess sludge developing in the engine.  When the oil change is finally done, the new oil starts to pick up the sludge that was deposited in the engine. 

Question:  1998 Ford Mustang mileage: 33,000.  I've looked in my service-maintenance manual and nowhere does it mention when to change the fuel filter.  Could you please tell me when or does it ever need replacement.  Thank You.

Answer: The fuel filter is normally changed at the time of tune-up, the timing being whatever the manufacturer recommends.

Question:  2001 Ford Mustang mileage: 69,000.   My son's car failed to start after school on Friday even though it had run fine that morning.  We jump-started it thinking he had left something on.  We took battery to get charged and they suggested new battery so we bought one and put it in.  The car immediately cranked, but after setting overnight without driving the car for more than a few minutes, it was dead again this morning.  Nothing has been left on to run the battery down, and I thought it might be the alternator, but since we didn't run it, yesterday I didn't see how it could have pulled all of the juice out of the battery if it was alternator.  I feel like something is running the battery down, but don't know where to begin to look.  Any ideas?

Answer:  Here is the procedure we use to isolate a battery drain.  Remove negative battery cable from the battery.  Using a 12-volt test light, hook one end to the negative battery post the other end to the negative battery cable you just disconnected.  The test light will glow or “light” if there is a drain.  If the “light or glow” is faint, that is probably normal draw for the clock or computer.  If the “light or glow” is bright, then there is a large drain.  That should be corrected.  Now start removing and replacing the fuses one by one until the light goes out; that one will be the circuit with the drain.  Remember to hold in the button in the door jam for the interior lights.

Question:  2002 Ford Mustang mileage: 52,000.  My car is been over heating and I've replaced the thermostat, radiator cap. For two weeks, it ran fine but it soon started up again.  It gets hot suddenly not slowly but rapidly. I have also flushed the radiator twice. Could you please give me an explanation or how to fix it?

Answer:  Your cooling system may be low on coolant.  Check the radiator when cold, not the overflow reservoir. Replacing your radiator with a brand new one solves the problem.

Question:  1998 Ford Mustang mileage: 123,000.  My car has a miss if I accelerate more than a quarter throttle or above 2000 rpm.  I have installed new plugs, wires, cap and rotor.  I have no check engine while running or driving no trouble codes.  I have also removed fuel injectors inspected, tested, and cleaned them.  Fuel pressure stays between 39 and 44 psi.  When accelerating more than a quarter throttle it acts like the switch is being turned off and immediately back on.  Note; engine is mechanically sound, good compression no noise runs perfectly at idle to 2000 rpm. I have checked TPS with voltmeter and it is working properly.  Can you help me? The local Ford dealership says that nothing is wrong with the computer. Several mechanics have also looked at worked on it and gave up.  I have spent a small fortune already.

Answer:  Your problem may be do to a broken or weak valve spring.  In addition, check for a valve hanging up in the valve guide.

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Question: 1999 Mustang mileage: 109,000.  My car won't even crank but is getting charge why could that be? Is it the computer possibly? Or, maybe even the solenoid?

Answer: The computer will not stop a car from cranking.  Here are some things to check.  Load test the battery.  Check that the battery cable connections are clean.  Check for 12 volts to starter solenoid with the key in the start position.  These things should be checked first then the ignition switch, starter and starter solenoid.  One of these may be faulty.

Question:  2000 Ford Mustang GT mileage: 53,000.  I am replacing the rear brake pads and I can't seem to press in the caliper puck with a C-clamp (my normal method). I believe the emergency brake cable is the culprit.  Is there an adjustment that will allow the caliper to press in?

Answer: The rear brake caliper “puck” can be reset by turning it clockwise.

Question:  1999 Ford Mustang  mileage: 106,000.  The other day my car stopped dead in the middle of the road.  The computer gives me the 542 code.  According to my repair manual, that means Fuel pump secondary circuit failure: ECM to ground motor.  Now, I have no idea what that means.  I'm trying to located the fuel pump relay switch to test it. The fuel pump, filter, and spark plugs have all passed their test.  However, the manual doesn't mention the location of the relay.  Where is the fuel pump relay located in a 91-2.3L Mustang?

Answer:  It is located under the dash by the glove box.

Question:  1986 Ford Mustang mileage: 139,000.  I recently noticed that my catalytic converter was glowing bright orange and it started smoking very badly.  What do I need to do to fix the problem?

Answer:  Your fuel injection is malfunctioning causing an over-rich condition.  Scan your computer for fault codes, which should pinpoint the problem. Then replacing your catalytic converter would be a good idea too.

Question:  1997 Ford Mustang mileage: 60,000.  How do I know if I am about to blow a head gasket and how could I stop it.  I know the 3.8 has a problem because of the aluminum head gasket and the cast iron engine.  I have been looking for information about this problem and haven’t turned up any useful info. Also, what is a head gasket.  I have blown some out in the past from a 1995 mustang and hope it will not happen with this one.

Answer: There is no way of forecasting engine trouble.  A head gasket seals the cylinder head to the block.

Question:  1995 Ford Mustang.  After I've been driving for about forty five minutes over 75 mph, my oil pressure goes down. If I reduce my speed to about 55 mph, the pressure goes back up. It got better after I changed the oil, but it still does this occasionally. I've heard of running gas through to get the clog out. Is there another way to get the clog out if that is even the problem?

Answer: Sludge deposits may be your problem. They restrict the oil returns in the engine "holding" oil up in the engine and away from the oil pickup. Try several oil and filter changes at shorter than normal intervals with the engine at normal temperature. We do not recommend running gas through the engine.

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Question:  1983 Ford Mustang mileage: 1,000,000.  I have an over heating problem. I have changed thermostat. I have added two electric fans, and disconnected the heater. With cap off can see good circulation in radiator. It has been turned and timed. It runs 180 - 200 and then its like I hit a bump in the road, or turn, or brake, and it will go to 220 - 240. I will turn engine off, and it will boil over, but I will not loose much water. In half an hour, it will be cooled down, and I can replace the water and drive at normal heat until we repeat the same situations. Do you have any ideas?

Answer:  A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem. Replacing your radiator with a brand new one from eautopartstore.com has been working for us.

Question:  1996 Mustang GT mileage 38,000 miles. I need help to rid my Mustang of an annoying creaking/squeaking noise from under the car (I think). This noise doesn't happen all the time, as in daily, but it happens whether the car is moving or not. If the car is stopped and you get out of the car, the creak appears when weight is lifted from the car. When driving you hear it steady. Lubrication of all parts, as specified in the Mustang manual, has been done with no difference. Note: I drove from Maine to California without hearing the noise once! When back in Maine it reared its ugly little head. Help it's annoying! The sound is very similar to old creaky bedsprings.

Answer:  Our suggestion would be to have your car inspected on a "rack" that you drive onto that lifts the wheels, not the frame. (This style of lift or rack can usually be found in a service center that does muffler replacements.) This will allow you to move or "work" the suspension while safely checking for the location of the noise. Look at the pivot points of the suspension. They have rubber bushings that can fail.

Question: 1989 Mustang lx.  my car has a bad oil leak at rear of engine. My Chilton’s book shows the rear main seal as being two-piece that fits in rear main. The parts store sold me a one-piece seal. I would like to know which it is before I go to the trouble of tearing down for one type and it turn out to be the other type.

Answer: Your engine should be equipped with a one-piece rear main seal. 

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