2003 Taurus SES 3.0L Vulcan: Curiousity question

[InstallTech]

Since I'm new to the world of Taurus, maybe I'm just not used to the car yet. But here goes.... Often, the car feels like it's "missing". Kinda like the spark plugs need to be changed. The car only has 30,000 miles on it, though I suspect that the car's been kept up on timely maintanence and all. Today, though, after inspecting one of the spark plugs (and I think I'm going to change them out after seeing it), I decided to rev the engine a little. You know...seeing what the car's got and all. At about 4,000 rpm, the engine starts to "sputter". It doesn't die, nor does it feel like it's going to die. Just gets harder to push the engine past 4k. Is there some sort of governor on the engine that's causing this? Car runs fine otherwise, and like I said....I'm probably just not used to the V6 since I'm comming off of driving a 4 cyl. Any insight would be welcomed.

[shorod]

Yep, the PCM will begin to shut off injectors to the cylinders if you rev the engine in park or neutral. I don't recall where the exact threshhold is, either 3500 or 4000 rpms.

-Rod

[InstallTech]

That's kind of what I figured. Just wanted to get the opinion of someone who may know better than I on this car.

[Willyum]

I have an '02 SES/Vulcan w/50K miles. Have never changed anything on it except fluids. It runs like a champ so would say that acting like it's missing isn't normal behavior.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by Willyum

I have an '02 SES/Vulcan w/50K miles. Have never changed anything on it except fluids. It runs like a champ so would say that acting like it's missing isn't normal behavior.

True, during normal driving a misfire would not be normal, but if you put your '02 in park or neutral and rev the engine up to around 4000 rpms, yours will miss too.

After InstallTech changes out the plugs like he plans on, if the car still seems to stumble when driving, then hopefully he'll revisit the question. Who knows how the original owner drove the car, the plugs could be shot after 30k miles.

-Rod

[InstallTech]

Thank you both for your insights. Actually...it's not so much when I'm driving as when I'm sitting at a dead stop. And it's *very* slight at that. Like I said...I'm probably just not used to the car yet, and there's probably nothing wrong. I just get paranoid easy when it comes to drivability in a car. This is the newest car I've ever had. All my other cars have been 10 plus years old with a metric ass-ton of miles on them.

[Willyum]

One thing you might want to consider. BAD GAS. Try gas from another station and change out the fuel filter. Fuel filter is inexpensive and easy to change, most cars could use a fresh one anyway.

[Huney1]

You said after eyeballing the plugs you were going to change them, so I take that to mean they look gummed up. Could be the former owner never drove it at Interstate speed for sustained period, so first thing I'd do is take that baby out on the freeway and get it up to 75-80 MPH and hold it there for ten miles or so to get it hot and "blow it out." New fuel filter - definitely. Check the air filter and if it's dirty they're cheap. I have an 03 SES Vulcan and to me it honks pretty good. If I put it in neutral and floor it the RPM's go to 4000 then back to 3000, up and down like that so as not to over rev it and mess up a good thing.

[PTG1212]

I also have an 02 Taurus SES with 3.0 vulcan. It's got nearly 50k miles and runs flawlessly. No hint of a hesitation or car holding back. Actually, probably the best car I've owned to date. Runs just as good as new. Every 5k miles or so I run injector cleaner through the gas tank.

[Huney1]

"I also have an 02 Taurus SES with 3.0 vulcan. It's got nearly 50k miles and runs flawlessly. No hint of a hesitation or car holding back. Actually, probably the best car I've owned to date. Runs just as good as new. Every 5k miles or so I run injector cleaner through the gas tank. "

I stomp ours to the floor and that baby moves out pronto. They say if you use a "name brand" gas it has detergent in it to clean injectors, but what with gas prices so high I use the cheapest el-cheapo gas I can find, so I dump a can of injector cleaner in my gas. Some say it helps, some say it's a waste of money but it gives me solace to know I tried.

With almost 40K mi on ours it runs like a champ. BTW, hot tip for ya'; WalMart sells their SuperTech brand fully synthetic oil $12.88 for five quarts and meets the same API specs as Mobil 1. The oil is made by Warren Oil Co and the filters made by Champion about two bucks.

[PTG1212]

Well, I also have a 94 Sable with 87k miles (and original head gasket on a 3.8L, knocks on wood). About 10 years ago it was sputtering and such. I took it into dealer thinking it was a leaky head gasket. Turned out to be fouled injectors. Ever since then, whenever I sense my engine might be running rough in any of my cars, I put a bottle of injector cleaner in the gas tank. Ususally Gumout or something along those lines. The stuff that's about $2 a bottle. Since doing that I've never had an issue with injectors. I also use quality gas, but I really don't think that alone will keep injectors clean. Anyway, works for me. I have a 01 Windstar with 3.8L and thats been an excellent vehicle as well. Runs great, also about 50k miles on it.

[InstallTech]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Right about now, I'm about 98 percent sure it's just me being paranoid and just not used to the car yet. I plugged it into the scanner today. No codes, everything checked out fine. Gonna throw some SeaFoam in it and change out the spark plugs anyway (just cuz it couldn't hurt). So far, I've heard nothing but good things about the 03 Taurus, which is very encouraging to me. Thanks.

[Huney1]

The platinum tip plugs are good for 100K miles and IMO putting in new at 30K miles is a waste of money. Dump the injector cleaner in and take it out on the freeway and give it a good blowing out, floor it and put it in passing gear ten times or so, wind it up and get the engine good and hot and it will blow out build up crud in the exhaust system and combustion chambers. Run out the tank of gas with the injector cleaner in it then if you still think it needs plugs, go for it.

Our 03 idles very smooth and mileage varies from 17 to 20 around town and 25 on the road, but I have a heavy foot.

[way2old]

I beg to differ on the 100k plug. Our fleet has over 700 Fords in it and all have the double platinum plugs. We are lucky to get 60k out of a set of OEM plugs. If you are in an ideal driving situation, you may reach that mileage, but fot the average driver it is not very realistic. Also have you ever tried to remove a plug that has been in an engine for 100k? Spark plugs are a nominal maintenance cost and it never hurts to put new ones in.

[Huney1]

I 'preciate you sharing that with me and when ours turns over 60K I'll pull a couple and put the eyeball and gap gage on 'em and see how they look. Ideal driving conditions, yup, I guess you might say that. I'm kind'a heavy footed but don't abuse it and no reason for the plugs to die early. I bought a 96 Mustang V6 with 106K miles on it and the plugs had never been changed and it ran like a dream. Pulled the plugs and couldn't believe how wide the gap was and it still ran great.