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Automotive/1999 Ford Taurus 3.0 overhead cam won't start...

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Expert: - 4/10/2008


Question
QUESTION: I was driving down the highway with no problems, no noise, engine running as smooth as the day I bought the car.All of the sudden it died.I pulled over and tried to re-start, it did re-start with a little hesitation, made a clanking noise like there was a loose part (not a knocking)for a few minutes and drove fine the rest of the way home (about a 10 minute drive). After parking, I turned it of and then tried to start it again and it wouldn't start.I hear the buzzing from the fuel pump when I turn the ignition on, letting me know it is still working.The starter is strong and I'm getting pleanty of power.When I try to turn the key over it makes a winding sound when trying to turn over, almost like a "I ran out of gas but I'm trying to start it anyway" sound.The oil was 4000k over due so I changed it and the oil filter, and I also changed the fuel filter,I have a bad habit of letting my tank go to E before filling up.Neither fixed the problem, I also checked the fuel shut off switch and it had not been tripped.This car is only at 58,000K and has been for the most part regulary serviced and just had a full tune up, replaceing all wiring...etc in December.Any suggestions?

ANSWER: The most immediate suggestion that comes to mind is that this probably is a fuel delivery problem, possibly due to a failing pump.  The high pressure tank pumps in modern cars do rely on fuel flow for cooling, so running them dry is not good for them, but merely running until the fuel is low in the tank should not be an issue.  Time however does age things, including fuel pumps, at it may well be that a new pump is required.

You might also check for possible debris in the tank congesting around the pickup screen.   This can also cause unintended shutdowns (and fuel pump overheats) once it becomes concentrated enough.

Regards ... EGK

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your reply. I had the car towed to a local mechanic and he said the head gasket was blown and that the head was probably cracked too. I think I should get a second opinion though. It's just not making sense to me because the car never over heated, smoked, or had that "over heating" smell. The guy said it was probably a faulty thermostat or censor. Does this even deem posible to you. The mechanic said this is more common than I think, and I should just replace the whole engine. He suggests a used engine which he can get for $1150. with a 1 year warranty and shipping included. Then he said it would be a minumum $1100. in labor costs. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Answer
I definitely would get a second opinion, and possibly a third, from quite different locales is possible.  As well, keep your description of the problem to the original symptoms, ie: as you described them to me.  Do not volunteer the information that this is a second opinion that you are seeking, nor ANY of what you were told you were told by the first shop.

If you can get a recommendation to a shop with a strong history of good customer service and, better yet, a good track record of repeat business with fleet customers, take your Taurus to that shop.

Let me know how this works out.

Good luck ... E G Kenward

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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