QuestionI have a 2000 Ford Taurus LX with 240,000 km, 3.0 litre. The engine, transmission, accleration and fuel mileage are excellent. The problem is that it idles very rough, as though someone has hit me from behind. The car has never stalled and there is no vacuum leak anywhere. This may be related, but the rear windows never come close to defrosting but the front windows do a bit. There is no antifreeze leak from the radiator, nor from the overlflow tank. The car does take time to warm up, about 15 minutes of driving until the heat is piping hot. I had a 95 Taurus which would warm up immediately, so I would think this is abnormal? I live in Canada where it gets really cold. Which one should I fix first, are they related? I don't have any lights on my dashboard, but a computer scan revealed P0442 and I cleared it. I don't know when the last tune-up was done but the air filter was changed 2 months ago.
Any help would be appreciated.
AnswerA code P0442 means a small leak was detected in the evaporative emissions system. It's probably not related to the rough idle. I would say now is a good time to replace the spark plugs and maybe the wires if you wish, and I like to clean the MAF sensor during a tune-up. The MAF sensor tells the car how much air it's pulling in so it can decide how much fuel to spray through the injectors. It will look very similar to this picture, see how it is in the air tube next to the air filter...
http://lyssy.webpark.pl/mondeo/przeplywka/gdzie_jest.jpg
You can use a TORX screwdriver to remove the 2 screws, and VERY CAREFULLY remove it, spray off the thin wires with something strong like brake cleaner, and allow it to air dry. Make sure you don't touch the wires with anything but cleaner. When it dries, put it back on the car and see how it runs. If you don't have a torx screwdriver, you might be able to take the clamps off on either side of the sensor and just spray the whole thing out. That should help!! Good luck,
Jason
