02 Taurus Problems

Recently the "check engine" light on my 02 Ford Taurus (89 K miles) has been coming on & off regularly. I had a diagnostics check done at the local Ford dealership & they found about $1500 worth of problems.
Including:
-Bad O2 sensor ($110)
-MAF sensor contaminated ($250)
-Front axel seals leaking ($278)
-Spark plugs need replaced ($424)
-Front sway bar links are loose (???)
-Coolant Flush & Tranny Flush (???)
-Fuel Intake Induction Service ($250)
-Fuel Filter

Considering that I'm not a mechanic I asked them to fix the biggest problems. So I ended up paying about $300 for a diagnostics test, O2 sensor, & fuel filter.

I know these other parts need replaced but to me the prices seem outrageous. I'm in the process of getting other bids but I wouldn't mind doing some of the work myself if possible.

I cannot find a repair manual for a '02 Ford Taurus.

Does anyone have any suggestions???

You can do alot of that yourself. Pick up a haynes maual for 1996-2001 Taurus. For 2002 Ford didn't change anything engine or transmission wise, so that manual should be fine.

You can do alot of that yourself. Pick up a haynes maual for 1996-2001 Taurus. For 2002 Ford didn't change anything engine or transmission wise, so that manual should be fine.


Thank you!

Hearing this not only makes my day but should save me over a grand!

Thanks Again

For the MAF

get some contact cleaner and spray the wire. Do not touch anything.

Spray it down and then let it air dry and finish with very low pressure air.

That should fix that.

Sway bar links are easy

I just run a can of fuel injector cleaner thru mine every fourth or fifth tank 129K no problems

As far as the plugs you don't say which engine you have but worst case scenario is the Duratec. You have to change the rear plugs by feel but it's not that hard.

You might want to let an independant shop do the seals if you don't have the knowledge or the tools

Hope this helps

Mike
:smokin:

For the MAF

get some contact cleaner and spray the wire. Do not touch anything.

Spray it down and then let it air dry and finish with very low pressure air.

That should fix that.

Sway bar links are easy

I just run a can of fuel injector cleaner thru mine every fourth or fifth tank 129K no problems

As far as the plugs you don't say which engine you have but worst case scenario is the Duratec. You have to change the rear plugs by feel but it's not that hard.

You might want to let an independant shop do the seals if you don't have the knowledge or the tools

Hope this helps

Mike
:smokin:

Mike,

This is a '02 Taurus SES V6 DOHC (I believe 3.0L).

If I go to an auto parts store & ask for contact cleaner will they know what I'm talking about? The MAF is connected to the air cleaner housing by 4 screws on one side & a hose clamp on the other. I imagine that I'll have to take these attachments apart to get to the wire????

What's all involved in fixing the sway bar links?

Please let me know when you get a chance.

Thanks,

Nate

I meant to say electrical contact cleaner. They should have it at a parts or electronics store.

Sway bar end links are just removing a bolt and replacing bushings.

Mike
:smokin:

all it probably needs is an O2 sensor
plugs don't have to be changed until 100k, of course if you are going to have them change the o2, its a tough job and being only 11k away from needing them done, its not a horrible idea to have them change the plugs too.

if you've never had your tranny flushed, 89k is definitely not the time to start, this will only cause premature transmission failure.

coolant flush isn't a bad idea.

Fuel injector service is a rip off, don't let them do that.

probably not a bad ideal to let them change the fuel filter too.

theres probably nothing wrong with the swaybar endlinks

shit like this is why I never go to dealers.