Engine running lean?

O2 sensors will not give a lean condition and replacing them will not help the issue
what we find very common is the PCV valve hose
check it, it will collapse
check for vacuum leaks

Funny opening line :lol:

The car very well may not have not had any problems that the prior owner was aware of at that time. IT is a used car. But even new ones can come with headaches.

Here are some possibilities for the code:

Air Measurement System
MAF sensor (contaminated, damaged, malfunctioning, etc.)
Fuel System
Fuel pressure regulator (leaking, malfunctioning, etc.).
Fuel filter plugged, dirty.
Fuel pump (weak, check valve leaking, etc.).
Leaking/contaminated fuel injectors.
Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel.
EVAP canister purge valve leaking (when canister is "clean").
Fuel supply line restricted.
Fuel rail pressure sensor (incorrect reading).
Air Induction System
Air leaks after the MAF.
Vacuum Leaks.
PCV system (leak, valve stuck open, etc.)
Improperly seated engine oil dipstick.
Exhaust System
Exhaust leaks before or near the HO2Ss (exhaust manifold gasket, mating gaskets, etc.).
EGR System
EGR valve tube/gasket leak
EVR solenoid vacuum leak
Secondary Air Injection
Damaged/malfunctioning secondary air injection system (mechanically stuck valve).

I assume this is a 3.0? Tell me the 8th digit of the VIN.

The ticking may be thin oil from it not being changed. Pull the dipstick and smell it and feel the oil. Does it seem thin? Does it smell like raw gas at all?

You can check some of these yourself, w/o bothering hubby. Yet. IT may inspire him :wink:

Get the info, and we will go from there. :)

What about the oil?

For what it matters, I don't do this for donations, but for enjoyment. I wish I could make a living at it like this :D keep in mind a donation is no gaurentee of success, but we'll give a good effort :D

I think you need to enter a number in the box, Like $5000 or $10,000 :lol:

You will need to talk to the original owner to find out what has been done to the car, unless he gave you the reciepts. Such as last fuel filter etc.

Well no since in cryin over spilled milk I guess, some lessons can be rough :x

Odd that insurance companies owned it, don't like that sound.

Anyways, it looks like we have a list to get through.

"Pick up a code reader from a parts store, according to TaurusWheel:

Get an obdII scanner for your truck, it will pull the abs code from the datalink connector under your dash, the abs module works thru that link. Not only that, it'll work for all your obd needs, everyone should have one, not a whole bunch of money, depending on how complex you want to get. Most people probably spend more in a week on coffee and doughnuts "

In the meantime,
Check the snorkel that runs from the airfilter to the throttle body. MAke sure everything is tight so there are no air leaks. Notice there is a sensor that is inline of this snorkel.
These are a common problem with this sensor, sometimes it can be cleaned, so pick up a can of electrical component cleaner while your there. Also pick up an aerosol can of intake manifold cleaner, seafoam is good also. Let me know when we get to that point, or feel free to post anytime :D

1996 Ford Taurus fuel too lean (bank) one

A lean fuel condition can be caused by:

* Low fuel pressure due to a weak pump or leaky fuel pressure regulator. (Use a fuel pressure gauge to check fuel pressure at idle)

* Dirty fuel injectors. (Try cleaning the injectors)

* Vacuum leaks at the intake manifold, vacuum hose connections or throttle body. (Use a vacuum gauge to check for low intake vacuum)

* Leaky EGR valve. (Check operation of EGR valve)

* Leaky PCV Valve or hose. (Check valve and hose connections)

* Dirty or defective Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF). (Try cleaning the MAF sensor wires or filament with aerosol electronics cleaner. Do NOT use anything else to clean the sensor, and do not touch the sensor wires)

After re-reading your original post, Was the smoking converter situation ever resolved?

Hi Debbielynn!
What is the color of the smoke?
Ask your husband to remove the spark plugs and tell us how do they look like?
Is there any noise involve while driving?

I did a follow up on another post that had the same codes as you, The reply is as follows:

Yes, (Code P0171)

We put vacumn flex line on, replaced air plentum vacumn line under intake, cleaned fuel injection trotttle body system and cleaned mass air flow sensor -
it works fine now.

So I guess we may be on the right path :D

DTC 172
Lack of heated oxygen sensor switches indicates lean (bank # 1).

KOER Hard Code Go to H1
See: Pinpoint Tests H - Fuel Control H1 - Check For Diluted Engine Oil
KOEO Memory Code Go to H1
See: Pinpoint Tests H - Fuel Control H1 - Check For Diluted Engine Oil

As you can see, it is running rich. Not only diluted oil but a sticking injector, clogged air filter and too much fuel pressure can cause these issues.

Roy

you need to clear the codes
you can do so by disconnecting the battery
then drive car for good 50 to 100 miles
2 ,3 ,4 days what every it take
and or till check engine light return on
then scan for codes and fix what you have for codes
since you have a slow o2 sensor I would do that before the catalytic converter
replace both sensors before and after the cat .

Hi I would start by first clear computer. Run when mil comes on recheck codes. Because bad sensors is not the only thing that causes codes. Something else is causeing the eng to run bad and cannot be adjusted. Which to the ecm, if a sensor can, t be adjusted it is out of it, s perimiters, which to the ecm it is bad. But if something is going on like tune up fuel prob cam sensor or crank sensor. These adjustments can, t be made. So before you go and spend big bucks on sensore that are not bad try and pinpoint why these codes are their. Good luck billymac

Sorry bmrfixit didn, t see your post billymac