Engine low power?

Tiny
JABRUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
When I'm cruising in my car it often looses power and feels like it's missing. I took it to the Ford dealer and they checked it and said they found nothing except the throttle body and upper intake manifold had lots of carbon buildup. I decided to clean this myself. When I pulled everything I noticed something with the lower intake. The first 5 ports had black buildup inside and the 6th had rusty looking buildup inside. I'm wondering if I might have a hairline crack in the lower intake.
Here is a list of all the components that have been replaced: Plugs, wires, ignition coil, pcv valve, both upstream oxygen sensors, dpfe sensor, egr valve and egr vacuum control solenoid. Thanks for any help you can provide.
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010 AT 10:31 AM

46 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
It sounds more like the MAF sensor needs to be replaced but to be sure this guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, May 17th, 2010 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
JABRUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I replaced all the manifold gaskets and the car is still doing the same thing so I did the MAF and that fixed it thank you.
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Monday, May 17th, 2010 AT 7:19 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Monday, May 17th, 2010 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
PHUDSONBZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
Engine Performance problem
2002 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

My Ford Taurus 2002 has lost horse power and won't accelerate like it used to. My current max speed is 40 mph. Sometimes the car feels like it is going to shut down and it staggers randomly. People are telling me that the MAP sensor needs to be changed however the scanner is currently pointing to the MAF sensor P1101. I am also having problems locating the MAP sensor on the car. I have checked the internet and knows what it should look like.

Note I had to change my fuel pump couple months ago and notice that the car's performance was not the same after new pump was installed. It had poor acceleration and my max speed was 60 mph. I took the car to be scanned and it had error code P1401 and had to purchase an new EGR sensor. I thought this would fix the problem but it only got worst which has deteriorated to what it is now. I am afraid this problem is more than just the MAF or MAP sensors. I really need help with this one - Please help! I also fair that I have been ripped off by my mechanic with the fuel pump replacement - the car was not starting. He told me that the fuel was not reaching the engine.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
If the computer is pointing toward the MAF, that is the direction I would go. Replacing the MAP is just a guess at this point. To be honest, a bad MAP will usually shut the car down and then it will restart, but not cause the power loss you have described.

What I recommed trying is to clean the MAF. They make a special cleaner for them that you can get at most parts store. Try that, have the computer reset, and see if it sets the same code again.

Let me know what you find and Happy Easter.

Joe
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JABRUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
When I'm cruising in my Taurus it often feels like it looses power and feels like it's missing. I took it to the Ford dealer and they checked it and said they found nothing except the throttle body and upper intake manifold had lots of carbon buildup. Another Ford dealer found something not quite right with cylinder 6. I decided to clean the intake and tb myself. When I pulled everything I noticed something with the lower intake. The first 5 ports had black buildup inside and the 6th had rusty looking buildup inside. I'm wondering if I might have a hairline crack in the lower intake.
Here is a list of all the components that have been replaced: Plugs, wires, ignition coil, pcv valve, both upstream oxygen sensors, dpfe sensor, egr valve and egr vacuum control solenoid. Here is a link to the photos of the lower intake. Thanks for any help you can provide.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/527995_DSCF2195_1.jpg

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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Were there any codes in the computer?

Looks like coolant had been leaking in. This is the 3.0 pushrod motor I assume. Look at the gasket closely for any failures around that cyl.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAVIANOG24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus 145,000 miles. When I accelerate from a full stop the vehicle will hesitate and shake a little, and then after driving for about 30 seconds the engine will rev up and go back down to normal. This only occurs when I'm accelerating from a full stop, it does not happen at higher speeds.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
If the check engine light has come on, have the computer scanned to identify trouble codes. Most parts stores will do it for free. Also, it is hard for me to say if it is the transmission or in need of a tune up from the description. Therefore, make sure the trans fluid is clean and full (check with engine running, hot, and in neutral. Make sure the park brake is on. If it looks good, you may need something as simple as a tune up.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGIEANT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Has no power to the crank sensor where does ground wire goes to on plug for crank sensor all fuses and relays are good what to do next
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Scan for codes and if no power to crank sensor check connection may be a bad connection see if gray wire is getting power to crank sensor. Then check at pcm pin 21
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-1
Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGIEANT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No power to the wire and the ground wire is not connected. I s changing the cam sensor I marked the groves on the body didnt look. Inside. H way it was position
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Eh ground wire is at back of cylinder head on rh side and if cam sensor was replaced then it needs to have apro hook up his scanner to sync the cam and crank sensor. Might be why it doesn't run
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGIEANT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Is there a way to put back the cam sensor without messing with timing I didnt look inside which way it was position
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Sure if you have a pro style scanner so you can put it in sync with the crank sensor. But other than that no
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EMZZLS3
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
Transmission problem
2002 Ford Taurus Automatic 150000 miles

My 2002 Taurus has roughly 150,000 miles on it. The car is used every morning to deliver papers, stop-go-stop-go. For about an hour and a half. The transmission hasn't been acting up until recently, when I noticed the RPM hung around 3 for a few seconds too long before shifting. NOW(2 wks later) the RPM always gets up to atleast 3.2, sometimes 4 before shifting, and it hangs around 2 a lot. When you accelerate from a stop sign or a red light, it's like the car doesnt notice it needs to shift, it just revvs for a few seconds, then catches and sometimes bucks into the next gear. If you don't push it(push the gas down more), it will just stay @ 2.5-3rpms and keep the revving sound for as long as it wants, barely accelerating/not accelerating at all. When you're already going about 30mph and accelerate a little, it does the same thing, only catches quicker than from accelerating from a stop or a very low speed.

It also makes this humming/squeak noise when it shifts. It doesn't sound like a belt, more kind of like. Air escaping from a small space at a fast speed? IDK. Think high pitched choo choo train. Also, the yellow blinking exclamation light in the dash comes on after it's been driven for over 10, 15 minutes on main roads. I've been told that while doing the papers it doesn't usually come on and I'm assuming it's because you don't really have to shift higher than 2nd(?) When doing the papers house to house.

PS- It's usually fine for the first 10ish minutes of driving.
Please help, if I don't have to pay $2,000.00 for a new tranny or get a new car, getting my family to work will still be possible.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EMZZLS3
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Car wont go past 20-25 mph, RPMs just keep going up, engine keeps revving. Im too scared to rev to past 5 RPMs b/c of the noise.
I can only assume the transmission is done.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE271974
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
2002 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

i have changed plugs and wires fuel filter it runs sluggish will not get over bout 5mph and when ac is on it surges
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Have you checked fuel pump pressure, the catalytic converter and has the check engine light been on?
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE271974
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No haven't checked pressure or converter but the check engine light was on for awhile but went off when I changed the plugs and wires
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)

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