96 Taurus stuttering at idle

[97BlueCavalier]

I have a 96 Taurus GL wagon 3.0 vulcan with 86,000 mi.
When the car is started and the engine is cool, or hasn't been used in an hour or so, the engine stutters and seems like it is about to stall.
After the car is put in gear and driven, it stops stuttering. It doesn't stutter while stopped in gear, nor does it when the engine is warm and idling. It only does it right after starting up when the engine is cool.
I had an "emissions service" done on the car about a month ago, and they changed the fuel filter, as well as the other air filters. This problem developed not too long after the service, stopped for awhile, and now it is starting again.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance...
-Bill

[shorod]

When is the last time the spark plugs and wires were inspected or changed? Also, do you use fuel injector cleaner regularly? What was performed as part of the "emissions service?"

-Rod

[97BlueCavalier]

Hi,

As part of the emissions service, I'll write down what it says they replaced:

"A FILTER ASY - FUEL"
"EA VALVE ASY"
"B ELEMENT ASY - AIR CLEANER"

As far as the spark plugs and wires, I believe they have been inspected, but I'm pretty sure they've never been changed. Also, I've never used fuel injector cleaner.

Many thanks--

Bill

[shorod]

First I suppose I'd check to make sure the fuel filter was not installed backward since the problem seemed to start after the service was performed. Assuming that's okay, then I'd check to make sure the air filter assembly is securely fastened along with all the air intake hoses. Since you're not sure if the plugs and wires have ever been changed, I'd replace them if I planned to keep the car for a bit longer. I add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the tank with each oil change as preventive maintenance, so you may want to consider this as well. I'd also suggest giving the engine compartment a general "once over" looking for any vacuum hoses that are cracked or broken, wiring connectors that are not installed but obviously have been in the past, etc.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

Your symptoms sound a lot like a parallel thread here in the Taurus Forum, titled "1999 Taurus SE 24v DOHC starting issue," that you might find helpful.
Click Me!

[97BlueCavalier]

Thanks for the advice, I put a can of STP Injector Cleaner in at an empty tank, and I think the problem has totally stopped.

Thanks again,

Bill

[shorod]

Thanks for the follow-up, and I hope you got this issue licked! Now just be sure to keep doing this as preventive maintenance.

-Rod