02 Taurus 3.0L Duratec intermittant engine miss

[97chevylumina]

02 Taurus 3.0L duratec intermittant engine miss. 93,000KMS.
miss is quite noticeable, feels like serious spark miss, when engine
misses, small jolt felt throughout car, sometimes felt several times
over course of 2-3 minutes.
FORD dealer ran diagnostics / road test and no error codes generated.
They suggest replacing plugs/fuel filter/air filters, all done by FORD
dealer, problem still exists. FORD suggest wait till service engine soon
light illuminates so computer generates codes. Problem existed for
several weeks, SES light still not illuminated.
Any suggestions.
Thanks

[sfontain]

If the dealer didn't change the wires, I would think about giving that a shot, particularly if you get the miss under heavier load. An alternative is to remove each wire, inspect each, and clean each with water or whatever you have, then coat each one in Armor-All, and coat the inside of each boot with dielectric grease. Unfortunately this is probably more trouble than just replacing the wires with new ones, but it should give you a good idea if they are causing the problem.

Beyond that...could be fuel pump, could be a bad/clogged injector...

[tinydavid]

I own a 2001 ford taurus and it has started giving me problems occasionally when I crank it in the morning. Tonight on the way home from work I was driving on the interstate and when I went to give it gas it acted like it was skipping. It seemed to stop when I floored the accelerator, however, it started back. I was thinking it might be the fuel filter, plug wires or injectors. Could you give me some ideal as to what avenue I need to pursue to correct this problem?

[Huney1]

This is for both of you: Could be injector becoming clogged. Go to the parts store, (I found it at Advance Auto Parts), get a can of Sea Foam and use as directed. It's not cheap so don't wimp out and get the cheap stuff because cheap didn't work for me. If it doesn't work the first time get another can and do it again because I have seen many similar problems, mine included, miraculiously cured by Sea Foam. I used the round can. http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

If by chance it doesn't work you can have the injectiors cleaned at a shop that has a machine just for that. FYI - Injector cleaner is cheap at WalMart and they have cheap stuff on specials at parts stores for $1. a can and every 5K mi it's a good idea to dump a can in the gas tank and run it through.

Don't forget to have your tranny fluid serviced and at 93K mile it's time to change the serpentine belt.

[02taurus_sel]

late reply..but my FORD dealer eventually found cracked coil packs.replaced the coil packs and been fine since.

[Huney1]

That brought back to mind the old trick of looking at the engine running in the dark and if there's a spark jumping you can see it.

[Lyle Abel]

I have a 2002 Duratec that I had taken to a "Jiffy Lube" for a quick oil change. The car started missing while idling. Several intermittent bumps felt in the car as the engine missfired..normally felt at idle. After two garages tried to fix the car, I took it to the dealer....cracked # 2 plug. The other mechanics replaced fuel filter, cleaned injectors and after doing so I got a check engine light which required more money. It seems that it is usually the simple things. The car is running fine now.

[Huney1]

I can't recall ever seeing a plug crack for no reason. Usually it's due to stress put on the ceramic insulator by turning the spark plug socket wrench sideways then applying pressure to tighten the plug and it cracks the insulator. You must hold the socket 90 degrees to the plug otherwise you stand a good chance of cracking it.

I have a question. Why did it start missing after an oil change? HUH? Changing oil & filter does not even hint at coming close to the plugs and it sounds like someone may have removed one to see if they were badly in need of replacing and sell you a set of new plugs. Pure speculation there but it does seem a bit odd to me the way it went down. Fortunately the computer analyzing machines or check engine codes can narrow the problem down. Glad you got squred away and don't forget the tranny fluid changes and new fuel filter every 30K and you should be good to go. They have to put it on a lift to drop the tranny fluid pan so while it's up there ask them to change the fuel filter to. By the way, I guess you know modern spark plugs last 100,000 miles.