'03 Taurus struggles to accelerate after recent repairs
KenDetroit
09-23-2014, 03:02 PM
Hi,
I have a 2003 Ford Taurus, rebuilt engine, estimated 80,000 miles (engine was installed about 2 years ago). About 2-3 months ago I had to have my fuel pump replaced, and the mechanic said that I'd also need my fuel filter replaced as it was cruddy and what caused the pump to fail. I took it in a couple weeks later for the new filter, as well as some brake work. I had the front rotors replaced about a week after that. I know that a few of these things are not like the other, but I want to give all the details.
A day or two after I got the rotors done, my fuel cap warning light turned on. The fuel cap is in place, though the light persists. I googled the problem and found that it might be a leak in the evaporative system due to a loss of vacuum. A few days later, I noticed that it's sometimes difficult for my car to accelerate, particularly if I'm in slow/stop-and-go traffic. When I googled this problem (which is what brought me to this site), the advice given to someone with a similar issue was that there might've been a problem with the vacuum, as well. It's worth noting that the RPMS never go over 2, and the check engine light has not turned on. I can eventually work up to 70 mph.
Considering all the work that's been done, and that this problem didn't arise until after I had it done, is it possible that one of the fixes is contributing to the issue, or could it be something else entirely?
I have a 2003 Ford Taurus, rebuilt engine, estimated 80,000 miles (engine was installed about 2 years ago). About 2-3 months ago I had to have my fuel pump replaced, and the mechanic said that I'd also need my fuel filter replaced as it was cruddy and what caused the pump to fail. I took it in a couple weeks later for the new filter, as well as some brake work. I had the front rotors replaced about a week after that. I know that a few of these things are not like the other, but I want to give all the details.
A day or two after I got the rotors done, my fuel cap warning light turned on. The fuel cap is in place, though the light persists. I googled the problem and found that it might be a leak in the evaporative system due to a loss of vacuum. A few days later, I noticed that it's sometimes difficult for my car to accelerate, particularly if I'm in slow/stop-and-go traffic. When I googled this problem (which is what brought me to this site), the advice given to someone with a similar issue was that there might've been a problem with the vacuum, as well. It's worth noting that the RPMS never go over 2, and the check engine light has not turned on. I can eventually work up to 70 mph.
Considering all the work that's been done, and that this problem didn't arise until after I had it done, is it possible that one of the fixes is contributing to the issue, or could it be something else entirely?
shorod
09-24-2014, 06:54 AM
Welcome to the forum!
It's possible the fuel pump replacement could be related to the fuel cap light, or an issue with the evaporative emission system. But since plastic and rubber degrades over time, it's also quite possible that it's not due to anything the technician did incorrectly, just any movement to the already brittle components could have damaged them at that point.
A diagnostic code for the evaporative emission system shouldn't cause the computer to send the car in to a reduced power mode since the evaporative emission system is not the same as the exhaust emission system.
I would suggest that you have the diagnostic system checked for any stored or pending diagnostic codes that might help explain the reduced power. Many of the chain auto parts stores offer a service to read diagnostic codes at no charge. You'll want to get the exact code number though rather than the sales person's interpretation of the code.
-Rod
It's possible the fuel pump replacement could be related to the fuel cap light, or an issue with the evaporative emission system. But since plastic and rubber degrades over time, it's also quite possible that it's not due to anything the technician did incorrectly, just any movement to the already brittle components could have damaged them at that point.
A diagnostic code for the evaporative emission system shouldn't cause the computer to send the car in to a reduced power mode since the evaporative emission system is not the same as the exhaust emission system.
I would suggest that you have the diagnostic system checked for any stored or pending diagnostic codes that might help explain the reduced power. Many of the chain auto parts stores offer a service to read diagnostic codes at no charge. You'll want to get the exact code number though rather than the sales person's interpretation of the code.
-Rod
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