97 Ford Taurus Problems

[acout]

Hi. I recently purchased a 97 Taurus LX w/ about 87K miles. I didn't have a lot of money and didn't want to finance, so this was right in my budget. I took it to a Firestone for an inspection. They said the CV joints, engine and transmission looked "great" and recommended a lot of preventative maintenance services due to the miles. But they also said I needed a new right inner tie rod because it was loose and new back brakes and rotars for a grand total of $1900. Right.

Well, my friend and I changed the back brakes, rotars, air filter and wipers. The service engine light came on the next day. My friend hooked up his laptop to check the diagnostic codes. It indicated a misfire in #5, so he changed the #4,5,6 spark plugs (they were easy to access and it was below freezing outside). This initially took care of the engine. He checked the inner tie rod, but that seemed fine. I also used one of those "tune up in a bottle" formulas, and this seemed to increase my gas mileage within a few days.

About one week later, I went to a different Firestone (out of convenience) for an oil change/tire rotation/vehicle inspection package w/o telling them about the other Firestone inspection. I mentioned that my car had started to make a faint noise that resembled a combination slight squeaking/clunking. This occurred when I accelerated from a stop. Not quite the sound you get from failing CV joints, but something along that and a squeaking noise. They inspected the vehicle and said I should get new front brakes, new wipers and an alignment because of uneven tire wear. No mention of the tie rod, so I asked. They said it looked fine.

I hate going to mechanics I don't know, and I try to do what I can myself or get help from a friend. I think that because I am female they try to screw me over. I had just changed my wipers, I know my front brakes are like new, and my alignment is just fine...they admitted to not analyzing the alignment on a computer and based it on the tires. Oh and they lied about "noticing streaks when we turned the wipers on." Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, I haven't had a chance to have the diagnostic code checked since the service engine light popped up again. I plan on flushing the trans and brakes soon. The noise I mention now comes on when I turn left from a slow speed. It's not that loud and doesn't quite sound like the CV joint noise...but I don't know what it could be since I've had the vehicle checked twice. But, I've have just read a lot about the Taurus problems and hope I didn't buy a lemon

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Overall, the car seems to run fairly smoothly and I'd like to keep it for at least another year or so.

[drdisque]

if the trans hasn't been flushed until now, I wouldn't advise doing it, it can just stir up alot of the crap that has been built up in various places and send shards of scrapnel through the solonoids and valve bodies.

[joe92k1500]

I agree with dr. Dont flush it. I would drop the tranny pan and change the fluid and filter. Make sure the pan is wiped clean and also clean the magnet at the bottom of the pan. It is probably full of metal shavings. Just did it on my dads 97' taurus gl, and my 01 taurus a few months ago. Not hard, just messy.

[hughw]

One source of noise I encountered was from the rubber boot around the steering column where the column goes through the fire wall....Somebody on the forum suggested silicone spray...and it worked..that noise is gone.......Another source could be the where the strut attaches to the top of the fender well....maybe the silicone spray will work there too....

[mwt]

I wouldn't have a "power" flush done but I would add a transmission cooler and do the following.

Disconnec the hose at the factory cooler and put a shorter piece of hose on it and put it in a bucket.

run it until fluid quits flowing and then drop the pan and change the filter.

Add fluid until it is about full and then drive it and check fluid level again.

Mike