YACT: Car idles very rough + sputters

[Avalon]

Hey guys, I've got a '96 Ford Taurus GL V6. Since this Friday, I noticed that my car has been starting to idle very rough. The problem worsened just the other day when it began sputtering while I was idling or at a stop nearly every time. The RPM will drop from 800 to 400-500 and sputter, then kick back up, then kick back down...and will keep doing this until I am moving. Doesn't seem to do it when the car is cold, it has to warm up first.

Any idea what the problem might be? I appreciate any help given!

 

[fbrdphreak]

How many miles? When was last service done? Spark plugs, PCV valve, fuel filter, oil change?

All depends when the last service was done on it. Sounds plug/fuel filter related

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Sounds like you need a set of spark plugs, how many miles since a tune up?

The key part you said was that it doesn't happen until the engine is warm, this is typical behavior of fouled spark plugs

 

[blipblop]

try to clean the MAF sensor and see if it has a lot of gunk or something.

 

[jlbenedict]

My Explorer did this, and it turned out to be the Idle Air Control Valve.

 

[Avalon]

You know, now that you mention it, I've passed my regular time schedule on replacing my spark plugs.

Car currently has about 125K miles on it, last fuel filter at 100K and last oil change about 1 month/1K miles ago.

BTW just to set the record straight, I am a nub at cars

 

[woowoo]

Spark plug wires.....

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
My Explorer did this, and it turned out to be the Idle Air Control Valve.

clogged/dirty/sticking IAC gets my vote

 

[Avalon]

Alright, I should definitely replace my spark plugs anyway so I shall do that this weekend.
Now when you say they are fouled...is that caused by something else possibly wrong with the car? Or is it just because I've gone past my scheduled time to replace them?

If the problem persists after I replace them, I will look into getting my IAC diagnosed.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
My Explorer did this, and it turned out to be the Idle Air Control Valve.

clogged/dirty/sticking IAC gets my vote

Yep... its a common problem with Fords. Usually if they are dirty, or sticking, you might as well replace it instead of attempting to clean it. It will just act up again in a short while.

 

[Avalon]

If it is the IAC, would it be hard to replace it myself?

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
...Idle Air Control Valve.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
My Explorer did this, and it turned out to be the Idle Air Control Valve.

clogged/dirty/sticking IAC gets my vote

Yep... its a common problem with Fords. Usually if they are dirty, or sticking, you might as well replace it instead of attempting to clean it. It will just act up again in a short while.

93 Ford Aerostar , where would the IAC valve be? What does it look like

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: blipblop
try to clean the MAF sensor and see if it has a lot of gunk or something.

I'd say check the MAF, especially if it's also guzzling more fuel.

 

[iamaelephant]

IAC valve is a little servo type valve on the throttle body.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
IAC valve is a little servo type valve on the throttle body.

Easy to replace also. Should have two-wire type connector running to it.


Here is a similar IAC valve for an Explorer. I'm sure yours is similiar.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/iac.htm

 

[Squisher]

Go to Autozone, they'll hook it up to their little diagnostic gizmo (technical term) and tell you what's wrong for free.

BTW-they'll also sell you the stuff to fix it (not free).

 

[BD2003]

Id check the MAF first.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Go to Autozone, they'll hook it up to their little diagnostic gizmo (technical term) and tell you what's wrong for free.

BTW-they'll also sell you the stuff to fix it (not free).

He didn't say his vehicle was throwing a code.

OP, I'd go pick up the Haynes manual @ your local parts store (or on half.com for much cheaper) and learn how to replace the IAC and other regular maintenance stuff yourself. DO a regular tuneup and you'll be right as rain.

 

[Black88GTA]

Sometimes you can clean an IAC valve. They get varnish and carbon in them and that causes them to stick. Once you locate it, try pulling it out and cleaning off as much of the crap in the pintle as you can with carb or fuel injector cleaner, then reinstalling it. That might take care of the problem, and all you spent was $1.69 for carb cleaner.

I was also thinking EGR valve, but that would normally be the opposite - the car would idle poorly when cold, but be OK once it was warmed up.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: ManyBeers

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
My Explorer did this, and it turned out to be the Idle Air Control Valve.

clogged/dirty/sticking IAC gets my vote

Yep... its a common problem with Fords. Usually if they are dirty, or sticking, you might as well replace it instead of attempting to clean it. It will just act up again in a short while.

93 Ford Aerostar , where would the IAC valve be? What does it look like

Manybeers, here you go:
Air Bypass Solenoid Valve(also called Idle Air Control Valve) - Ford Aerostar 1986-1997 Repair Guide

 

[Pepsi90919]

do you have a check engine light?

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Squisher
Go to Autozone, they'll hook it up to their little diagnostic gizmo (technical term) and tell you what's wrong for free.

BTW-they'll also sell you the stuff to fix it (not free).

He didn't say his vehicle was throwing a code.

OP, I'd go pick up the Haynes manual @ your local parts store (or on half.com for much cheaper) and learn how to replace the IAC and other regular maintenance stuff yourself. DO a regular tuneup and you'll be right as rain.

The guys at work said that even if you don't throw a code that those dianostic devices can detect the cause of a poor running engine. I don't know, everytime I've ever gone there I was throwing a code.