QuestionQUESTION: Hi Shaun,
I have a 2000 Ford Taurus with 240,000 km. I live in Canada. My car idles extremely rough at stand still. Sometimes I get one big jerk and it feels like someone has hit me from behind. It has never stalled, it acclerates very well, gas economy is excellent, and there are no light/codes that show up. It does not have a vacuum leak, according to another mechanic I used to see. I am unaware of the last tune-up, and it has a new air filter. This may be related to it...the heat doesn't work well in the winter, my back windows never even come close to defrosting at all, and it takes about 30 minutes for the inside of the car to be pipeing hot. My front windows defrost a bit, but not fully. A mechanic suggested it could be poor antifreeze circulation, a tune up, and a change of thermostat. He also suggested I get it scanned, he wants $100 for it. Is a scanner something that I can buy and use? I'm a novice. I hear it's just plug and play and it spits out a code? Then I can get it fixed. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
SK
ANSWER: Hello SK, A scanner is definitely something handy for anyone attempting to repair their own later model vehicles(1996 and newer). What it can also do is lead you off on a tangent. The idea behind a code is to lead you in the direction of a problem, and may not pinpoint it for you. The reason why shops and technicians want money for repairs that seems outlandish is because of what it takes to buy the information and properly interpret it to fix the vehicle without costing unnecessary time and money on both sides. What my point is, trusting a good mechanic(finding one in certain towns especially is very hard, I understand) is the best way to properly get your car fixed. But if you feel like you are the one that can or should do it, a code scanner(get one that is CAN compatible, for future use) is the first step. The second step is something that you are already doing:internet research! The third step is make sure you can provide or obtain the information and services it takes to properly locate the part or problem you are diagnosing and repair it. Sounds easy doesn't it? Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open. If it has a new air filter , maybe one of the sensors on the tube is disconnected and the "SES" light bulb is removed or burned out. If there is actually no codes in PCM memory and they weren't cleared recently the problem is most likely something that the PCM(computer) isn't picking up, like a stuck open thermostat, which will make a car run BAD, especially after warmed up. The fact that the heater does not work properly makes two pointers leading you to a thermostat. A restricted/plugged heater core can also cause a heater problem, which would not be related to your running problem at all. Good luck, I hope this helps! Shaun in Las Vegas.
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QUESTION: Hi Shaun,
I had a friend scan my car, this is what it said...
P0442 = Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)
I had it cleared. There were no other codes. If I have it scanned by another mechanic with a more sophisticated scanner, can it find more codes? For e.g. Midas? If they can't find anything using the scanner, am I subject to their perosnal opinion of why my car idles rough and my heating system isn't strong enough? I was thinking of using fuel injector cleaner, but my gas mileage is good.
You're probably gonna suggest I see a reputable mechanic to check it out properly. If so, should I have the heating problem checked out now, or should I wait until the winter so that I can really see if the problem has been fixed? Please give me your professional opinion.
Thanks,
SK
AnswerHello SK,
I personally would dive into the heating problem first, because it could be contributing to the idle problem. The evap. code isn't a big deal (loose gas cap most likely). You will most likely have to have a technician get to the bottom of the heating/cooling issue. Good luck!
